I know this
is a few days late, but this meditation has been brewing all weekend through my
busy, hectic workdays and my dear husband’s slow ones. But this is not for him – he already got the
Star Wars trilogy for Father’s Day and one custom card complete with a
hand-drawn Darth Vader from our six-year-old.
No, this is
for the Fathers that probably don’t get many chances to go fishing or get
pancakes in bed or have grand cookouts for Father’s Day. This is for priests.
How many times have you been walking around, feeling kinda crappy, and someone says something nice, and it just makes your whole day better? Friends are there for each other when you need them, but it is the unasked for gestures, the giving just to give that can make people really happy. Being there for someone means being there when they don’t need it as much as when they do. That is what I am blessed enough to have with my friends. I thank G-d everyday for them.
Be that person for someone else. Say those extra 5 words of encouragement, that extra compliment for no other reason than you care about that person. Even if you barely know them, it can mean just as much.
Ghandi said, “Be the change that you want to see”
Make the world better one gesture at a time.
From John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus:
Like the sun which shines on all alike, vainglory beams on every occupation. What I mean is this. I fast, and turn vainglorious. I stop fasting so that I will draw no attention to myself, and I become vainglorious over my prudence. I dress well or badly, and I am vainglorious in either case. I talk or hold my peace, and each time I am defeated. No matter how I shed this prickly thing, a spike remains to stand up against me.
I guess I spoke too soon.
Notion of Limbo Isn’t Closed, Expert Says
Adds It’s a Theological Opinion That Can Be Defended
The theory of limbo is not ruled out, says a member of the International Theological Commission, commenting on a study from the panel. Sister Sara Butler, a Missionary Servant of the Most Blessed Trinity, has served on the commission since 2004. The commission is an advisory body comprised of 30 theologians chosen by the Pope. Its documents are not considered official expressions of the magisterium, but the commission does help the Holy See to examine important doctrinal issues.
Backpeddling or setting the media straight? Hmm…
Al Kimmel (Pontifications) has some good posts of limbo here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Michael Liccione (also at Pontifications) has a couple here and here.
Thinking about baptism and salvation, a question occurred to me. Why does the Church teach the doctrine of original sin? Where did it come from? I’ve always thought the following bit of Scripture, written long before Christ’s salvific work, directly contradicted this doctrine.
“The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” – Ezekiel 18:20
Are we not all sons of Adam (whether it be literally or figuratively), who committed the first – the original – sin? Why are we held accountable for his sin?
My impression is that the Eastern Orthodox don’t hold the same beliefs as Catholics regarding the Fall and original sin. What are their beliefs? How do they differ? Why do they differ? Would these doctrines interfere with future reunification?
OK, those questions are more than enough for now. Discuss. 🙂