Questions for Discussion and Reflection after Chapter 1:
In the reading, it was discussed that the sacramental principle was God being present to the whole world-- showing His whole Self in and through creation. So when I observe creation (which includes "people, things, and events") I'm seeing God. It's amazing to think that God is everything and I don't think that even my brain can fully understand that kind of thinking.
One thing that drew me so strongly to the Catholic Church, however, was this exact view that is powerfully played out in Catholicism. God is everything and every where. As a Catholic, I have found my faith to be all-consuming of my life. Not a moment can be spared-- every breath reminds me of Christ and Creation. Which means that I reflect God as well-- not only does the Holy Spirit dwell inside me as if I were a temple, but since I am made in His image, He is able to use me for His ministry. It's this continual connection between God and myself that calls to me each day and renews my own spirit, regardless of me being in a sinful state.
At times these ideas can be forgotten--- it becomes often the "norm" for a Catholic to take this amazing relationship with God for granted. Of course, when it is spoken about, like after reading this chapter, its like a new AHA! moment, but it is always there in the back of our mind, in our heart, and flowing through our souls and through all of Creation.
It's all about God connecting with us through love. Everything that we observe through out the day (and much of what we don't get a chance to observe!) speaks volumes about God. Of course with some much hatred, sin, and pain, its hard to see Him but I tend to think if we personally look at more of the GOOD, we'd realize the bad that is going on is not taking over the world (hence my dislike for the media who tends to go crazy over any little incident).
Through the seven Sacraments, we are continually connecting with our Lord and Savior. "Christ gave the Church these signs by which He would continue to be present to us, speak to us, and act among us." (pg. 17) I know some people believe in the clock maker theory about God--- He started us up, and now we're running on our own. I can't see how that is possible. As a teacher, while I get a new set of students every school year, I am still anxious to see how my students grow up each year, how they turn from children to young adults, to getting ready for college. And I am but a human... how much more love and anxiety must God have for His whole Creation! I don't think this emotion I have is just what a human would have, but surely it must be from God. Through the Sacraments, we connect to God-- they are freely given to us through His love and mercy. So if we see these Sacraments as a way to further our relationship with God, they will effect the way we worship-- outside of church and inside during Mass.
YES! Beginning with my parents, I can begin to see what the Lord wanted to teach me. They were the first people I fell in love with and as I grew up, they were the ones who taught me how to serve one another and how to handle every day life. I saw how selfless my Mom was and I have strived to live like that every day. My Dad has been a source of strength that no matter what is happening, you will be able to figure it out and solve it.
Caren, my best girlfriend, taught me much about Christ and showed me that I was deserving of friendship since the 4th grade. Though she lives far away and is a wife and mother, we still absolutely adore one another and that love that is between us, keeps our friendship in tact.
Sean, my best guyfriend, has taught me about loyalty, innocence, to never back down, and to not be so uptight about things. God knows what anxiety I go through and its because of my (almost 5 year long) friendship with Sean that I've learned to relax a little more. Enjoy the journey for once!
Another dear guyfriend, Erik, along with Sean have taught me what it means to be a friend and to love one another as friends. God used these two men as my guiding light after a bad event in my life. When I think of God showing Himself through people, these two guys are the FIRST example I think of.
As for signs, I think mostly of me looking back through my life and I see how God has been shaping me. I now get the events--- good and bad--- that got me to this point. It's been a big AHA! moment for me when I realized that God shapes me through everything I go through. And for the better! Since I speak to God often-- I truly feel like we speak to one another-- signs are difficult to pinpoint as they're happening, I feel more like our discussions together are a way He guides me and shows Himself to me instead of daily events.
I believe there is a balance between the two. I can think of the effects if the Church was only one of the two. I am reminded of some non-Catholic churches that were so caught up in the "Holy Spirit effect" that if you weren't doing as they were, then you must not be a true Christian. Or if you weren't rich ($$) or happy (no depression/anxiety), then you MUST be sinning. On the other hand, there are some churches that say humans are evil... no if, and, or but. Both sides are flawed--- there's a reason why humans are both optimistic and pessimistic and I still hold to the belief that God deals with the same emotions we do (otherwise we wouldn't have them).
You will some priests being more pessimistic in the church--- wanting to remind us that we have to get right with God and follow the Bible and the Church's Tradition. You will have others who are truly loving to the point of where, at times, Tradition will be overlooked. But most of the time you will find priests who are humble, who are worried about their flocks, who want to be out in the community more often, and I believe its the same with their flocks. One good days I'm optimistic (often the days where I focus my events around God) and on my bad days, I'm pessimistic until God reminds me of all the blessings that I have.
Still I wish for other Christians (and non-believers) to be called to the Catholic Church. It's where I found my home--- that's the only thing I can call this Church: home. Sean is a Non-denom Christian and to me, he still seems like a lost sheep: he has the faith but no pasture to call home. So while some may see it as me being selfish, I've been praying that the Lord would show him this home in the Catholic Church and he has been responding well to it. Once again, I see it as a sign from God of His love and mercy for each of His children. I see it as Him playing a role in our lives.
In the reading, it was discussed that the sacramental principle was God being present to the whole world-- showing His whole Self in and through creation. So when I observe creation (which includes "people, things, and events") I'm seeing God. It's amazing to think that God is everything and I don't think that even my brain can fully understand that kind of thinking.
One thing that drew me so strongly to the Catholic Church, however, was this exact view that is powerfully played out in Catholicism. God is everything and every where. As a Catholic, I have found my faith to be all-consuming of my life. Not a moment can be spared-- every breath reminds me of Christ and Creation. Which means that I reflect God as well-- not only does the Holy Spirit dwell inside me as if I were a temple, but since I am made in His image, He is able to use me for His ministry. It's this continual connection between God and myself that calls to me each day and renews my own spirit, regardless of me being in a sinful state.
At times these ideas can be forgotten--- it becomes often the "norm" for a Catholic to take this amazing relationship with God for granted. Of course, when it is spoken about, like after reading this chapter, its like a new AHA! moment, but it is always there in the back of our mind, in our heart, and flowing through our souls and through all of Creation.
It's all about God connecting with us through love. Everything that we observe through out the day (and much of what we don't get a chance to observe!) speaks volumes about God. Of course with some much hatred, sin, and pain, its hard to see Him but I tend to think if we personally look at more of the GOOD, we'd realize the bad that is going on is not taking over the world (hence my dislike for the media who tends to go crazy over any little incident).
Through the seven Sacraments, we are continually connecting with our Lord and Savior. "Christ gave the Church these signs by which He would continue to be present to us, speak to us, and act among us." (pg. 17) I know some people believe in the clock maker theory about God--- He started us up, and now we're running on our own. I can't see how that is possible. As a teacher, while I get a new set of students every school year, I am still anxious to see how my students grow up each year, how they turn from children to young adults, to getting ready for college. And I am but a human... how much more love and anxiety must God have for His whole Creation! I don't think this emotion I have is just what a human would have, but surely it must be from God. Through the Sacraments, we connect to God-- they are freely given to us through His love and mercy. So if we see these Sacraments as a way to further our relationship with God, they will effect the way we worship-- outside of church and inside during Mass.
YES! Beginning with my parents, I can begin to see what the Lord wanted to teach me. They were the first people I fell in love with and as I grew up, they were the ones who taught me how to serve one another and how to handle every day life. I saw how selfless my Mom was and I have strived to live like that every day. My Dad has been a source of strength that no matter what is happening, you will be able to figure it out and solve it.
Caren, my best girlfriend, taught me much about Christ and showed me that I was deserving of friendship since the 4th grade. Though she lives far away and is a wife and mother, we still absolutely adore one another and that love that is between us, keeps our friendship in tact.
Sean, my best guyfriend, has taught me about loyalty, innocence, to never back down, and to not be so uptight about things. God knows what anxiety I go through and its because of my (almost 5 year long) friendship with Sean that I've learned to relax a little more. Enjoy the journey for once!
Another dear guyfriend, Erik, along with Sean have taught me what it means to be a friend and to love one another as friends. God used these two men as my guiding light after a bad event in my life. When I think of God showing Himself through people, these two guys are the FIRST example I think of.
As for signs, I think mostly of me looking back through my life and I see how God has been shaping me. I now get the events--- good and bad--- that got me to this point. It's been a big AHA! moment for me when I realized that God shapes me through everything I go through. And for the better! Since I speak to God often-- I truly feel like we speak to one another-- signs are difficult to pinpoint as they're happening, I feel more like our discussions together are a way He guides me and shows Himself to me instead of daily events.
I believe there is a balance between the two. I can think of the effects if the Church was only one of the two. I am reminded of some non-Catholic churches that were so caught up in the "Holy Spirit effect" that if you weren't doing as they were, then you must not be a true Christian. Or if you weren't rich ($$) or happy (no depression/anxiety), then you MUST be sinning. On the other hand, there are some churches that say humans are evil... no if, and, or but. Both sides are flawed--- there's a reason why humans are both optimistic and pessimistic and I still hold to the belief that God deals with the same emotions we do (otherwise we wouldn't have them).
You will some priests being more pessimistic in the church--- wanting to remind us that we have to get right with God and follow the Bible and the Church's Tradition. You will have others who are truly loving to the point of where, at times, Tradition will be overlooked. But most of the time you will find priests who are humble, who are worried about their flocks, who want to be out in the community more often, and I believe its the same with their flocks. One good days I'm optimistic (often the days where I focus my events around God) and on my bad days, I'm pessimistic until God reminds me of all the blessings that I have.
Being a part of His Church is a privilege--- all are called, of course, but not all answer. I don't see myself as any better than any other Christian out there... or person for that matter. But I do find happiness in knowing I am a part of the Church, I'm one of the sheep that isn't lost any more, I have my Shepard and Lord.
Still I wish for other Christians (and non-believers) to be called to the Catholic Church. It's where I found my home--- that's the only thing I can call this Church: home. Sean is a Non-denom Christian and to me, he still seems like a lost sheep: he has the faith but no pasture to call home. So while some may see it as me being selfish, I've been praying that the Lord would show him this home in the Catholic Church and he has been responding well to it. Once again, I see it as a sign from God of His love and mercy for each of His children. I see it as Him playing a role in our lives.
