A lot of Christians I know are worried about the election. They're worried about Obama's excessively left-wing agenda including the Freedom of Choice Act which he promised to implement that overrides all state abortion laws and allows every abortion conceivable, including partial-birth.
They're worried about his socialist policies, of which he comments on but never denies. They're worried about infringing on the first and second amendments, on redefinition of marriage... on a lot of things.
A lot of Christians are praying about this election, hoping the society they know stays anchored in traditional values and faith. They're worried that America is turning into the countries we once fought... Russia and China.
I too have been praying, a 54-Day Novena for the Lord's will to be done during this election. And I've been worried too. But, as I was praying one day, it occurred to me that none of those concerns really matter.
Sure, they matter as far as the country and potential aborted lives and potential religious persecution... which are real issues and real concerns.
But a government's stance on anything has nothing to do with personal salvation.
Christianity was born in the Roman Empire... an Empire where slavery was common, pagan worship the norm, murder was for entertainment, orgies were a diversion, and perversion was commonplace.
The salvation of mankind is not bound by imperfect, human kingdoms or policies. It is universal, it is catholic and it is free from mans laws.
No matter what the outcome of the election, our responsibility to our beliefs, our life of faith has not changed.
Whether the FOCA is passed or not, women every day will be faced with a moral decision on whether to kill their own child or not.
Whether we are capitalist or socialist, people every day will be faced with the moral decision on whether money is their god, or Jesus.
Whether the definition of marriage changes or not, couples every day will be faced with the moral decision to remain faithful to their spouse or not.
Governments may change. Leaders may change. Social mores may change.
The Ten Commandments do not.
Jesus' teachings do not.
The magesterium of the Church does not.
So, have faith and trust in God, no matter the outcome of this election. Because, in the end, it doesn't change the focus of our own faith journey.
It may change the path, but the destination remains the same.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Shoulder
I love driving my daughter to school. It's a nice one-on-one time with her and we get to talk about things we wouldn't normally have the time to share with each other. One recent conversation revolved around being the role of "the shoulder to cry on."
So many of my daughter's friends rely on her for advice and help. I told her this is an honor. She must represent to them someone who does not waver, who speaks their mind and who will be honest with them.
Still, it leaves my daughter with an interesting conundrum. If your primary relationship with someone is as their unofficial therapist, their go-to shoulder to cry on, does that make you friends or just acquaintances?
I don't know if it's my acting training or just my personality, but I've always found other people's lives far more interesting than my own. I love asking questions and finding out about their lives. I shared with her that, because of this, especially in college, I too was the go-to shoulder to cry on. I can't tell you how many people came to me after a break up or major life event to share their feelings with me.
I didn't mind it for the most part. I LOVE helping people. It's one of the few times in life you feel like you're actually doing something worthwhile, something that matters. I felt extremely blessed that they would trust me when things were so bleak and it was nice to be able to offer some assistance, even if that meant just listening.
However, this conversation with my daughter did get me thinking... I realized that many of the relationships I have with people, from work to church and everywhere in between, is really based on me listening to their problems and that's about it.
Many of these people I consider friends. However, it occurred to me that if I didn't ask them about their problems, they probably wouldn't interact with me at all. So is that really friendship? Doesn't friendship require equal interest and equal interaction by both parties? Or maybe the majority of the relationship has revolved around the therapist/patient dynamic, but that doesn't mean true friendship isn't in there somewhere.
My daughter asked me what to do. I wasn't really sure.
I suggested she step back and see who steps forward. That doesn't mean she won't help when needed, but it may offer insight into how they view their relationship with her. If they only come to her when they need a problem to solve, then she'll know. If they come to her out of genuine interest in her, then she'll know.
After talking with her about it I realized I should probably do the same thing.
True and lasting friendship is a two-way street. It'd be nice to know which way the traffic is heading.
So many of my daughter's friends rely on her for advice and help. I told her this is an honor. She must represent to them someone who does not waver, who speaks their mind and who will be honest with them.
Still, it leaves my daughter with an interesting conundrum. If your primary relationship with someone is as their unofficial therapist, their go-to shoulder to cry on, does that make you friends or just acquaintances?
I don't know if it's my acting training or just my personality, but I've always found other people's lives far more interesting than my own. I love asking questions and finding out about their lives. I shared with her that, because of this, especially in college, I too was the go-to shoulder to cry on. I can't tell you how many people came to me after a break up or major life event to share their feelings with me.
I didn't mind it for the most part. I LOVE helping people. It's one of the few times in life you feel like you're actually doing something worthwhile, something that matters. I felt extremely blessed that they would trust me when things were so bleak and it was nice to be able to offer some assistance, even if that meant just listening.
However, this conversation with my daughter did get me thinking... I realized that many of the relationships I have with people, from work to church and everywhere in between, is really based on me listening to their problems and that's about it.
Many of these people I consider friends. However, it occurred to me that if I didn't ask them about their problems, they probably wouldn't interact with me at all. So is that really friendship? Doesn't friendship require equal interest and equal interaction by both parties? Or maybe the majority of the relationship has revolved around the therapist/patient dynamic, but that doesn't mean true friendship isn't in there somewhere.
My daughter asked me what to do. I wasn't really sure.
I suggested she step back and see who steps forward. That doesn't mean she won't help when needed, but it may offer insight into how they view their relationship with her. If they only come to her when they need a problem to solve, then she'll know. If they come to her out of genuine interest in her, then she'll know.
After talking with her about it I realized I should probably do the same thing.
True and lasting friendship is a two-way street. It'd be nice to know which way the traffic is heading.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Another PUSA BTS Interview
The fifth behind-the-scenes interview of Purgatory, USA is now online. In this interview I talk about the inspiration behind the creation of Episode 2 and how we must always place Jesus first in our lives.
Family and Fire
After an overall tough few weeks, last night the family and I decided to partake of the awesome weather and unwind outside next to a nice, comforting fire.
We turned off the computers, the television, the video games and just hung out on our back patio, chatting, laughing and enjoying each others company. I cooked on the grill while Dea whipped up some stuff in the kitchen, then we all ate on our patio table, enjoying the cool breeze.
We ended up spending about three hours out there, stoking a small fire in our portable fire pit, talking about school and religion and friends and faith. DC played on the guitar and Gabe interjected his unique brand of humor.
It was exactly what I needed. A nice, comforting night surrounded by those who love you most.
We turned off the computers, the television, the video games and just hung out on our back patio, chatting, laughing and enjoying each others company. I cooked on the grill while Dea whipped up some stuff in the kitchen, then we all ate on our patio table, enjoying the cool breeze.
We ended up spending about three hours out there, stoking a small fire in our portable fire pit, talking about school and religion and friends and faith. DC played on the guitar and Gabe interjected his unique brand of humor.
It was exactly what I needed. A nice, comforting night surrounded by those who love you most.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Disengage
Sometimes, do you ever feel like you just want to disappear for a few weeks?
I feel like that.
I feel like that.
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