Much of Scalia's book was not new to me. I mean, who doesn't know that they spend too much time on Facebook? who isn't aware that they are a little too attached to their possessions? I did like the discussion of idols we don't even think about most days, e.g. coolness (which is passed off as sophistication or cynicism) or habitual behaviors (we've always done it this way and we don't want to change). All of these things--the Internet, the stuff, our coolness, our habits--they are all things which separate us from the love of God. I pray to be able to remember my hidden idols: cynicism and resistance to change.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Strange Gods
On Elizabeth Scalia's Strange Gods (Ave Maria Press: 2013), 168 pgs.
Much of Scalia's book was not new to me. I mean, who doesn't know that they spend too much time on Facebook? who isn't aware that they are a little too attached to their possessions? I did like the discussion of idols we don't even think about most days, e.g. coolness (which is passed off as sophistication or cynicism) or habitual behaviors (we've always done it this way and we don't want to change). All of these things--the Internet, the stuff, our coolness, our habits--they are all things which separate us from the love of God. I pray to be able to remember my hidden idols: cynicism and resistance to change.
Much of Scalia's book was not new to me. I mean, who doesn't know that they spend too much time on Facebook? who isn't aware that they are a little too attached to their possessions? I did like the discussion of idols we don't even think about most days, e.g. coolness (which is passed off as sophistication or cynicism) or habitual behaviors (we've always done it this way and we don't want to change). All of these things--the Internet, the stuff, our coolness, our habits--they are all things which separate us from the love of God. I pray to be able to remember my hidden idols: cynicism and resistance to change.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
DYSTOPIA FEST!!!
So it seems like the best thing in the world to do in Illinois, when the thermometer is topping out at 7 degrees in the sunshine and glare ice is underfoot--The best thing...is to watch really depressing movies, dystopian movies. For the sake of clarity we're also watching some post-apocalyptic stuff. (This weekend we made a list. But if you, dear readers, would like to add to the list let me know. Using Wikipedia we generated a 40 plus movies spreadsheet...)
So far we've watched the following: Snowpiercer, the Book of Eli, Divergent, The Road, Elysium. Oblivion and On the Beach. A happy group of movies if I've ever seen one.
Why watch depressing movies? Why are there so many dystopian movies? Well to answer my first self-imposed question, they aren't all that depressing. I mean of course there is death and destruction, the earth is laid waste, there are evil people and/or governments everywhere. But, so far, I have found that, with one exception, all of the movies are not about how dismal things will be. They are instead about hope. Without giving away things about plots (in this post anywho), suffice it to say that each of the movies concludes with the possibility that things will get better because at least one of the characters has not forgotten what it means to be a truly human being, fully alive. At least one character is selfless, courageous, patient, kind, generous, At least one person is opening the curtain to see what wonders lay beyond if we can perservere.
Why are there so many dystopian movies? Because we want to know. We want to know what life will be like if we keep going down this awful road we're headed on.We want to know what life will be like if we don't stop global warming, nuclear weapons, raping the environment, raping each other. People have always wanted a glimpse inside the mind of God. Its oddly comforting to know that so many visions of the future are not so bleak.
Interestingly, the one that doesn't is On the Beach. More about that in my next blog post.
So far we've watched the following: Snowpiercer, the Book of Eli, Divergent, The Road, Elysium. Oblivion and On the Beach. A happy group of movies if I've ever seen one.
Why watch depressing movies? Why are there so many dystopian movies? Well to answer my first self-imposed question, they aren't all that depressing. I mean of course there is death and destruction, the earth is laid waste, there are evil people and/or governments everywhere. But, so far, I have found that, with one exception, all of the movies are not about how dismal things will be. They are instead about hope. Without giving away things about plots (in this post anywho), suffice it to say that each of the movies concludes with the possibility that things will get better because at least one of the characters has not forgotten what it means to be a truly human being, fully alive. At least one character is selfless, courageous, patient, kind, generous, At least one person is opening the curtain to see what wonders lay beyond if we can perservere.
Why are there so many dystopian movies? Because we want to know. We want to know what life will be like if we keep going down this awful road we're headed on.We want to know what life will be like if we don't stop global warming, nuclear weapons, raping the environment, raping each other. People have always wanted a glimpse inside the mind of God. Its oddly comforting to know that so many visions of the future are not so bleak.
Interestingly, the one that doesn't is On the Beach. More about that in my next blog post.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
In His Words, not mine
"Noli me tangere." These words were uttered to the Magdalen when met by the newly resurrected Jesus. (John 20:17). Mary Magdalen saw a beatific vision, if you will, and she lived. Even though Jesus had "not yet gone to his father" the power of His touch may, at this moment, have been too much for the Magdalen to bear. The meaning of my blog then, is not that I wish not to be touched, nor that I wish to not touch Jesus. I hope it will convey how we can desire God, and yet may only experience him in hints.
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