From Pope Benedict XVI's interview with E. von Gemmingen, the head of the German section of Vatican Radio on August 15, 2005:
“I want them to understand that it is beautiful to be a Christian! The generally prevailing idea is that Christians have to observe an immense number of commandments, prohibitions, precepts, and other such restrictions, so that Christianity is a heavy and oppressive way of living, and it would therefore be more liberating to live without all these burdens.
But I would like to make it clear that to be sustained by this great Love and God’s sublime revelation is not a burden, but rather a set of wings – that it is truly beautiful to be a Christian. It is an experience that gives us room to breathe and move, but most of all, it places us within a community since, as Christians, we are never alone: first of all, there is God, who is always with us; secondly, we are always forming a great community among ourselves: a community of people together on a journey, a community with a project for the future. All of this means that we are empowered to live a life worth living. This is the joy of being a Christian; that it is beautiful and right to believe!"
Pope Benedict XVI, From a Homily given on April 24th, 2005:
"And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution.
Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him."
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Good
I've had some things running through my head lately, and this blog is the first of those thoughts I have decided to put into writing.
Have you ever somebody make the outrageous claim that they are a good person? Have they ever used reasoning like: "I'm a good person, I've never killed anyone." or "I'm a good person, I don't steal things."?
Perhaps that claim isn't so outrageous. After all, it is good if you haven't killed anyone (but does this mean that soldiers are bad people?), or don't steal things. However, there are a couple of problems with the claims. First off, by whose standards are we living a "good" life? Good according to society? According to the laws of the United States?
What is God's standard? I used to believe that human beings were inherently evil. I used to believe that society taught man to be good (Keep in mind that I do mean man/woman, he/she, and his/her throughout this blog). However, the more I read the Bible, and the more I learn about the world in general, is that mankind, by his very nature, is good. When God created man, in fact, when he finished his creating, he saw that all that he had made was good! So, if this is the case, that all mankind, although sinful, is good.
God does not call man to be just good, though. He calls them to be Holy. And if you're standard is holiness, then "good" does not seem to impressive on the totem pole. He calls us to be like Jesus - the perfect HUMAN! When Christ died, he achieved perfect humanity.
This idea springs into my head whenever I hear someone claim they are a good person. While I am far from holy (that's why the term is "practicing Christian"), I hope my life is a countinuous process of achieving holiness.
Have you ever somebody make the outrageous claim that they are a good person? Have they ever used reasoning like: "I'm a good person, I've never killed anyone." or "I'm a good person, I don't steal things."?
Perhaps that claim isn't so outrageous. After all, it is good if you haven't killed anyone (but does this mean that soldiers are bad people?), or don't steal things. However, there are a couple of problems with the claims. First off, by whose standards are we living a "good" life? Good according to society? According to the laws of the United States?
What is God's standard? I used to believe that human beings were inherently evil. I used to believe that society taught man to be good (Keep in mind that I do mean man/woman, he/she, and his/her throughout this blog). However, the more I read the Bible, and the more I learn about the world in general, is that mankind, by his very nature, is good. When God created man, in fact, when he finished his creating, he saw that all that he had made was good! So, if this is the case, that all mankind, although sinful, is good.
God does not call man to be just good, though. He calls them to be Holy. And if you're standard is holiness, then "good" does not seem to impressive on the totem pole. He calls us to be like Jesus - the perfect HUMAN! When Christ died, he achieved perfect humanity.
This idea springs into my head whenever I hear someone claim they are a good person. While I am far from holy (that's why the term is "practicing Christian"), I hope my life is a countinuous process of achieving holiness.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mixed Marriage
This is an Irish comedian named Dara O'Briain. This particular set really hit close to home. I found it hilarious. Hope you enjoy:
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Office Fun Part Deux
This particular event happened about a month ago. It's not only to gripe about a student, but about how people work (or don't work) at FIU:
A man walked into the office and walked straight through to the back (where the Writing Center is located). I figured he knew where he was going. He comes back to the front and yells, in a very heavy Hispanic accent:
Man with Accent (MwA): LEGAL STUDIES?!?!?!
Me: Excuse Me?
MwA: LEGAL STUDIES INSTITUTE?!?!
Me: Are you looking for Legal Studies?
MwA: Ya.
Me: Well this is the Testing Center and Learning Center.
MwA: No, they're here.
Me: Actually, we've been here since December 2007. They must have been here before, but had to change location.
MwA: Well, I remember that they were here.
Me: Well, I think they moved down the hall (point with my finger) and then turn right. I don't remember which room number exactly, though. Let me check (I check the phonebook online and I confirm the room number). Yeah they are in GL 153.
MwA: Okay. Thank you.
Me: Have a nice day.
About 6 minutes later, he comes in the office again.
MwA: They have to be in here.
Me: They're not in GL 153?
MwA: No. They're here.
Me: The person in 153 told you that?
MwA: No. Nobody is there. They're here.
Me: Why don't I call them for you, because they may not have updated their location on the phonebook.
MwA: They have to be here.
Me: Just hold on...
I call the Legal Studies number.
Legal Studies Receptionist (LSR): Legal Studies, how can I help you?
Me: Hi. I have a student at GL 120 looking for your office. Where are you located?
LSR: We're at MARC 130.
Me: Oh, okay. It's just that online it said you were located in GL 153.
LSR: Yes, I know.
(Awkward silence...I feel like saying 'are you going to do anything about it?')
Me: Okay. Well, thank you.
to MwA
Well, apparently they are located in MARC 130.
I show him a campus map and he goes on his merry way. Not only do I have to deal with troublesome students, but the employees at this bureaucracy they call FIU are not much help either...
A man walked into the office and walked straight through to the back (where the Writing Center is located). I figured he knew where he was going. He comes back to the front and yells, in a very heavy Hispanic accent:
Man with Accent (MwA): LEGAL STUDIES?!?!?!
Me: Excuse Me?
MwA: LEGAL STUDIES INSTITUTE?!?!
Me: Are you looking for Legal Studies?
MwA: Ya.
Me: Well this is the Testing Center and Learning Center.
MwA: No, they're here.
Me: Actually, we've been here since December 2007. They must have been here before, but had to change location.
MwA: Well, I remember that they were here.
Me: Well, I think they moved down the hall (point with my finger) and then turn right. I don't remember which room number exactly, though. Let me check (I check the phonebook online and I confirm the room number). Yeah they are in GL 153.
MwA: Okay. Thank you.
Me: Have a nice day.
About 6 minutes later, he comes in the office again.
MwA: They have to be in here.
Me: They're not in GL 153?
MwA: No. They're here.
Me: The person in 153 told you that?
MwA: No. Nobody is there. They're here.
Me: Why don't I call them for you, because they may not have updated their location on the phonebook.
MwA: They have to be here.
Me: Just hold on...
I call the Legal Studies number.
Legal Studies Receptionist (LSR): Legal Studies, how can I help you?
Me: Hi. I have a student at GL 120 looking for your office. Where are you located?
LSR: We're at MARC 130.
Me: Oh, okay. It's just that online it said you were located in GL 153.
LSR: Yes, I know.
(Awkward silence...I feel like saying 'are you going to do anything about it?')
Me: Okay. Well, thank you.
to MwA
Well, apparently they are located in MARC 130.
I show him a campus map and he goes on his merry way. Not only do I have to deal with troublesome students, but the employees at this bureaucracy they call FIU are not much help either...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Gabby's Office Fun I
Due to continuous inspiration from my friend, Merari, I've decided to start posting some office stories, whether they be current or happened at some point during my 3 year, 9-month employment at FIU. This particular story happened yesterday. I know a lot of people hate their bosses, but this is the first time I can hear the disgust and hate in a man's voice. I've blocked out his name for my office's security protocols. And please pardon the profanity, I thought it best to leave it in so you get the sense of the anger in his heart LOL. Enjoy!
Me: Good morning, FIU Testing. How can help you?
Man on Phone (MoP): Hello, Cesar?!
Me: Cesar is not in at the moment. Is there anything I can help you with?
MoP: Cesar?
Me: No, this is not Cesar. He won't be in until 11:30.
MoP: Listen I spoke to Cesar yesterday about possibly coming in earlier than 8am for an individual exam.
Me: Are you !@#^^&(#)(^!#?
MoP: Yeah.
Me: Well, what I can do is take your name and number down and give this message to Cesar when he comes in. I know he's proctoring an exam at that time, but I might be able to give him this message right before.
MoP: That's fine, buddy. But I really need to speak with him. There's no way my boss is gonna let me come to work late. She's new, but she's a cold ass bitch. She's the kind of woman who would say "no" just for the sake of saying "no." You get me?
Me: (trying to hold in laughter) Yeah, I understand. So, I'll have him give you a call back.
MoP: Please, buddy.
Apparently, this exchange between Cesar and MoP happened the day before.
MoP: Is there any way I can test earlier than 8am?
Cesar: Our office opens at 8, though.
MoP: Listen, I would pay you fifty bucks if you could proctor my exam at 8. The thing is that I have this new boss. She's one of those lesbian bitches who gets off on controlling a man. She loves to say "no." It pleases her...
Cesar: Well, I'll tell you what. I'll ask my director what we can do and I'll give you a call back tomorrow.
MoP: Thanks, Cesar. You have no idea what it's like to work with that woman.
Me: Good morning, FIU Testing. How can help you?
Man on Phone (MoP): Hello, Cesar?!
Me: Cesar is not in at the moment. Is there anything I can help you with?
MoP: Cesar?
Me: No, this is not Cesar. He won't be in until 11:30.
MoP: Listen I spoke to Cesar yesterday about possibly coming in earlier than 8am for an individual exam.
Me: Are you !@#^^&(#)(^!#?
MoP: Yeah.
Me: Well, what I can do is take your name and number down and give this message to Cesar when he comes in. I know he's proctoring an exam at that time, but I might be able to give him this message right before.
MoP: That's fine, buddy. But I really need to speak with him. There's no way my boss is gonna let me come to work late. She's new, but she's a cold ass bitch. She's the kind of woman who would say "no" just for the sake of saying "no." You get me?
Me: (trying to hold in laughter) Yeah, I understand. So, I'll have him give you a call back.
MoP: Please, buddy.
Apparently, this exchange between Cesar and MoP happened the day before.
MoP: Is there any way I can test earlier than 8am?
Cesar: Our office opens at 8, though.
MoP: Listen, I would pay you fifty bucks if you could proctor my exam at 8. The thing is that I have this new boss. She's one of those lesbian bitches who gets off on controlling a man. She loves to say "no." It pleases her...
Cesar: Well, I'll tell you what. I'll ask my director what we can do and I'll give you a call back tomorrow.
MoP: Thanks, Cesar. You have no idea what it's like to work with that woman.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Party or Church
People in the United States have a problem. They have a confusion of beliefs. Perhaps you can call them dualist or pluralist, but I think it's just that they are inconsistent with their beliefs. People, particularly people of faith, seem more comfortable siding with their political party in most cases than with the doctrine of their beliefs. I have seen myself tackling with this issue as well, but I have realized what I have been doing. Although I see the problem, it's hard for me to change it, because I am just so comfortable with what I believe, that I do not budge from it in order to believe what Christianity will tell me what is right.
Let's take the Christians who are part of the Republican party (like me). Most of us would say that we are pro-life. We believe abortion is wrong and according to our belief system, that would be accurate. However, why is life only restricted to abortion? What about the prisoner of war who we support getting tortured? How Christian is torture? What about the death penalty? I understand that these are criminals getting the penalty, but as Christians, shouldn't we forgive? Isn't that the answer to the WWJD bracelets?
Continuing on the life issue, why are most Christians supportive of an unjust war? By unjust war, I mean one where the USA are the aggressors. Many supporters claim that Iraq is linked to 9/11, but there is no proof of that unless Saddam Hussein actually sat down and conspired with Osama bin Laden.
What about universal health care and welfare? As a fiscal conservative, myself, it is extremely hard for me to support these programs. But as a Christian, those are two programs that I feel guilty not supporting. Wouldn't God be pleased with everyone getting health care? Wouldn't God want us to help our fellow humans whenever they cannot afford the basic necessities of life?
There are countless other doctrines that come into conflict when the political party is easier to be in line with than the faith. And those conflicts are on both the left and the right of the political spectrum. If that's the case, can either party truthfully claim to be the "party of God"? I just think some dialogue needs to be started.
Let's take the Christians who are part of the Republican party (like me). Most of us would say that we are pro-life. We believe abortion is wrong and according to our belief system, that would be accurate. However, why is life only restricted to abortion? What about the prisoner of war who we support getting tortured? How Christian is torture? What about the death penalty? I understand that these are criminals getting the penalty, but as Christians, shouldn't we forgive? Isn't that the answer to the WWJD bracelets?
Continuing on the life issue, why are most Christians supportive of an unjust war? By unjust war, I mean one where the USA are the aggressors. Many supporters claim that Iraq is linked to 9/11, but there is no proof of that unless Saddam Hussein actually sat down and conspired with Osama bin Laden.
What about universal health care and welfare? As a fiscal conservative, myself, it is extremely hard for me to support these programs. But as a Christian, those are two programs that I feel guilty not supporting. Wouldn't God be pleased with everyone getting health care? Wouldn't God want us to help our fellow humans whenever they cannot afford the basic necessities of life?
There are countless other doctrines that come into conflict when the political party is easier to be in line with than the faith. And those conflicts are on both the left and the right of the political spectrum. If that's the case, can either party truthfully claim to be the "party of God"? I just think some dialogue needs to be started.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A Movie that Touched my Heart
This afternoon, I relunctantly went to watch a movie called "Marley and Me." I didn't expect to do much except laugh a little bit and come out of the theater thinking it was a good holiday movie, but one I should have waited to rent, instead. I was mistaken, and I am glad I went to see this movie. It was one of my favorite movies of the year (I know it's 2009 now, but I consider this a 2008 movie). There may be a spolier or two, but it will not ruin the ultimate ending of the movie.
A lot of ideas and emotions ran through me as I watched this film, and afterwards when I thought about it. When I came home, my dog greeted me at the door, and although she is old, lazy, and grouchy, this dog is a part of my family. I picked her up and petted her as she eagerly sniffed me and wagged her tail. It is true what was said in the movie about dogs - what's great about dogs is that no matter if you are rich, poor, clever, dull, smart, or dumb, a dog is going to love you as long as you give it your heart.
This movie also renewed my interest in journalism. The couple were a pair of journalists for the Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post. When I was studying journalism, before, my goal was to become a columnist. Something about putting what's on your mind on paper always appealed to me. Who knows where God will take me. If teaching does not pan out, maybe that could be something I pursue. It takes a while to climb up that ladder, though. And a lot of sacrifice.
Last but not least, this movie made me think of the next phase of my life. I'll be graduating from FIU soon, and there are important decisions I will need to make, including some major committments (I'm sure that last statement is going to garner a bunch of comments itself, or at least solicit some deep thought).
If you have not seen Marley & Me, and you own a dog, or are perhaps just a lover of animals, you really should see the movie. If those categories do not apply to you, it's a good movie, nonetheless.
A lot of ideas and emotions ran through me as I watched this film, and afterwards when I thought about it. When I came home, my dog greeted me at the door, and although she is old, lazy, and grouchy, this dog is a part of my family. I picked her up and petted her as she eagerly sniffed me and wagged her tail. It is true what was said in the movie about dogs - what's great about dogs is that no matter if you are rich, poor, clever, dull, smart, or dumb, a dog is going to love you as long as you give it your heart.
This movie also renewed my interest in journalism. The couple were a pair of journalists for the Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post. When I was studying journalism, before, my goal was to become a columnist. Something about putting what's on your mind on paper always appealed to me. Who knows where God will take me. If teaching does not pan out, maybe that could be something I pursue. It takes a while to climb up that ladder, though. And a lot of sacrifice.
Last but not least, this movie made me think of the next phase of my life. I'll be graduating from FIU soon, and there are important decisions I will need to make, including some major committments (I'm sure that last statement is going to garner a bunch of comments itself, or at least solicit some deep thought).
If you have not seen Marley & Me, and you own a dog, or are perhaps just a lover of animals, you really should see the movie. If those categories do not apply to you, it's a good movie, nonetheless.
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