6 wonderful short videos have been made from the just finished Humanum conference. They are all on the Theology of the Body Institute web site or you can go just go to Humanum.it
These are wonderfully, well made videos from cultures all over the world. Enjoy and contemplate the meaning of humanity!
http://www.tobinstitute.org/2014/11/17/humanum-conference
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
The Darkness of the Soul
In Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, she describes the darkness of the soul. She writes, "the intention of a person who commits a mortal sin is not to please Him but to give pleasure to the devil; and, as the devil is darkness itself, the poor soul becomes darkness itself likewise"
Further, she describes the soul in sin as "rooted in a pool of pitch-black, evil smelling water, it produces nothing but misery and filth."
All this imagery that Teresa describes reminded me of an episode of Star Trek Next Generation, entitled "Skin of Evil." The creature called Armus, is pictured here. The black creature was left behind by an alien race which had perfected a means of bringing to the surface all that was evil and negative within, erupting, spreading, connecting. In time, it formed a second skin, dank and vile.
In a dialogue between Captain Picard and Armus; Picard quotes Percy Bysshe Shelly from "Prometheus Unbound"...
"All spirits are enslaved that serve things evil."
Armus: "You do not understand. I do not serve things evil; I am evil."
Captain Picard: "Oh, no. You're not."
Armus: I am a skin of evil, left here by a race of Titans, who believed if they rid themselves of me, they would free the bonds of destructiveness.
Back to the Interior Castle, St. Teresa goes onto say; "I know of a person to whom Our Lord wished to show what a soul was like when it committed mortal sin.That person says that, if people could understand this, she thinks they would find it impossible to sin at all..." That person she is referring to is Teresa, herself.
In our fallen world we are all subject to sin and this vile, blackness that can coat our soul. To me that imagery is revolting that are souls can look like Armus. In our world, we have a savior that can free ourselves from the bonds of evil. That savior is Jesus Christ. We need the cleansing, pure water of grace that can clear off the muck and slime from our souls. Pray, Brothers and Sisters that in St. Teresa's words that "surely if you understand your own natures, it is impossible that you will not strive to remove the pitch which darkens the the crystal of your soul."
I am scrubbing as we speak...
Further, she describes the soul in sin as "rooted in a pool of pitch-black, evil smelling water, it produces nothing but misery and filth."
All this imagery that Teresa describes reminded me of an episode of Star Trek Next Generation, entitled "Skin of Evil." The creature called Armus, is pictured here. The black creature was left behind by an alien race which had perfected a means of bringing to the surface all that was evil and negative within, erupting, spreading, connecting. In time, it formed a second skin, dank and vile.In a dialogue between Captain Picard and Armus; Picard quotes Percy Bysshe Shelly from "Prometheus Unbound"...
"All spirits are enslaved that serve things evil."
Armus: "You do not understand. I do not serve things evil; I am evil."
Captain Picard: "Oh, no. You're not."
Armus: I am a skin of evil, left here by a race of Titans, who believed if they rid themselves of me, they would free the bonds of destructiveness.
Back to the Interior Castle, St. Teresa goes onto say; "I know of a person to whom Our Lord wished to show what a soul was like when it committed mortal sin.That person says that, if people could understand this, she thinks they would find it impossible to sin at all..." That person she is referring to is Teresa, herself.
In our fallen world we are all subject to sin and this vile, blackness that can coat our soul. To me that imagery is revolting that are souls can look like Armus. In our world, we have a savior that can free ourselves from the bonds of evil. That savior is Jesus Christ. We need the cleansing, pure water of grace that can clear off the muck and slime from our souls. Pray, Brothers and Sisters that in St. Teresa's words that "surely if you understand your own natures, it is impossible that you will not strive to remove the pitch which darkens the the crystal of your soul."
I am scrubbing as we speak...
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Check out this article, "Losing our Touch" by Richard Kearney
Christopher West had passed this article called Losing our Touch by Richard Kearney. It has Theology of the Body written all over it. Here are some snip its from the article. I would highly recommend your read the whole article with the link here! http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/losing-our-touch/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=opinion&_r=0
"Are we perhaps entering an age of “excarnation,” where we obsess about the body in increasingly disembodied ways? For if incarnation is the image become flesh, excarnation is flesh become image. Incarnation invests flesh; excarnation divests it."
"For all the fascination with bodies, our current technology is arguably exacerbating our carnal alienation. While offering us enormous freedoms of fantasy and encounter, digital eros may also be removing us further from the flesh."Pornography, for example, is now an industry worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide. Seen by some as a progressive sign of post-60s sexual liberation, pornography is, paradoxically, a twin of Puritanism. Both display an alienation from flesh — one replacing it with the virtuous, the other with the virtual. Each is out of touch with the body."
"Because to love or be loved truly is to be able to say", “I have been touched.”
"Are we perhaps entering an age of “excarnation,” where we obsess about the body in increasingly disembodied ways? For if incarnation is the image become flesh, excarnation is flesh become image. Incarnation invests flesh; excarnation divests it."
"For all the fascination with bodies, our current technology is arguably exacerbating our carnal alienation. While offering us enormous freedoms of fantasy and encounter, digital eros may also be removing us further from the flesh."Pornography, for example, is now an industry worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide. Seen by some as a progressive sign of post-60s sexual liberation, pornography is, paradoxically, a twin of Puritanism. Both display an alienation from flesh — one replacing it with the virtuous, the other with the virtual. Each is out of touch with the body."
"Because to love or be loved truly is to be able to say", “I have been touched.”
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Whose thoughts are they? Part 2, "The Smoking Man"
Do we not all have somebody whispering in our ear? The thoughts that say, go ahead eat the extra piece of cake, get that refill of Coke, super size it, I'm too tired to go to church, look at that porn site, run your car off the road, have another beer, one more cigarette". How often do we listen to that voice which may not be our own. I'm reminded of C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, where one particular ghost is trying to get to heaven, but he had a lizard on his shoulder that whispered thoughts of lust. In this story the ghost finally had the courage to listen to the angel and not the lizard. This is a great story to check out when dealing with sin. http://www.covenanteyes.com/2009/04/20/cs-lewis-on-lust. Will we have the courage to listen to God?
In my case, my whispering voice in my soul is the smoking man. During the days when the vice of lust was strongest, the smoking man would gather thoughts in my mind. "Go ahead, look at porn, you're not hurting anyone." However, you know your hooked once start looking at one site. Once you start looking it is hard to stop, jumping from site to site, body to body, using what is not of your own. The addiction growing, the pathways more ingrained in your brain. You tell him to stop but he keeps smoking away and cackling. On occasions I could smell the distinct smell of cigarette smoke in my mouth. He is my demon. Today, he doesn't come around as often but I must be on my guard.
Over the last several years I have been drawn to Saint Teresa of Avila's "Interior Castle", a castle of our soul, a castle which consists of many mansions. The lower mansions are filled with self knoweldge where the soul is in battle with sin and as Teresa describes it, "filled with snakes and vipers." In my castle, in the lowest room down a dark hallway, the smoke drifts from a partially open room. The room is dimly lit, but in the back you can see the shadow of a man, smoking a cigarette and grinning. Snakes cover the floor but the walls are littered with naked bodies, suggestive poses and a beckoning to enter with their bodies. Despite my fear of snakes the pull of lust is very strong. This is my fight in this lone room. The room now has a padlock. I gave the key to Jesus. Of course if I ask for the key, he will give it to me, reluctantly. His face will have an expression of sadness and disappointment but I won't care. That is the freedom that God gives us, whether right or wrong.
The whisper is not as strong today but still there. I must continue to be on my guard. Prayer and confession have all helped. Just to remember he is near by has kept me on my guard. The usage of porn today seems to this culture is a matter of fact. I am reminded of a line from the Big Bang Theory, where Howard tells Raj, "why can't you look at porn like everyone else!" Now I love the Big Bang Theory, but that line is probably pretty close to the truth in today's culture. "C'mon everyone's doing it."
How big of a problem is Porn and how does it effect the brain and our soul? By using Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle imagery of a soul in sin, "the poor soul becomes darkness itself." I will share more on the journey of our soul through the Interior Castle in my next post.
In my case, my whispering voice in my soul is the smoking man. During the days when the vice of lust was strongest, the smoking man would gather thoughts in my mind. "Go ahead, look at porn, you're not hurting anyone." However, you know your hooked once start looking at one site. Once you start looking it is hard to stop, jumping from site to site, body to body, using what is not of your own. The addiction growing, the pathways more ingrained in your brain. You tell him to stop but he keeps smoking away and cackling. On occasions I could smell the distinct smell of cigarette smoke in my mouth. He is my demon. Today, he doesn't come around as often but I must be on my guard.
The whisper is not as strong today but still there. I must continue to be on my guard. Prayer and confession have all helped. Just to remember he is near by has kept me on my guard. The usage of porn today seems to this culture is a matter of fact. I am reminded of a line from the Big Bang Theory, where Howard tells Raj, "why can't you look at porn like everyone else!" Now I love the Big Bang Theory, but that line is probably pretty close to the truth in today's culture. "C'mon everyone's doing it."
How big of a problem is Porn and how does it effect the brain and our soul? By using Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle imagery of a soul in sin, "the poor soul becomes darkness itself." I will share more on the journey of our soul through the Interior Castle in my next post.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Whose thoughts are they? Part 1
I have been listening to an audio book called Spiritual Wars by Kris Vallotton and something he said caught my attention. In his lectures, he presented his audiences with the following scenario...
You are driving down a highway and you suddenly have an instant thought to run your car off the road and kill yourself. He asked his audience how many have had this experience before?
Almost 2/3 of those in attendance raised their hands. In my life I would have raised my hand as well. This is something I had never shared with anyone before as they would probably think I was crazy for even entertaining these thoughts. How can this be so common?
Mr Vallotton explains that some of these thoughts we have are not are own. Well, who's are they? He quotes Ephesions 6:16 "In all circumstances, have faith as a shield to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Those thoughts are from the devil. I believe we are constantly bombarded by thoughts or flaming arrows of the devil. The question is how often do we act on these thoughts, aka sin! I believe we are all in spiritual warfare, a game of good vs evil. But is it really a game at all? This is life and the stakes are your soul. Saint Paul talks about this battle against evil and Ephesians 6: 10-11. "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil."
I keep thinking back to the recent suicide and death of Robin Williams who had struggled with depression and addictions. I was shocked when I heard the news and could not believe that he could have hanged himself. Did he loose that spiritual battle? Was the devil whispering in his ear? We may never know. His story seemed to have resonated strongly through social media circles during the week that followed. How many of us have had that pull of depression where we think there is no hope? Maybe there is more people out there than we realize and many were wondering if this could happen to me? Certainly we have all been depressed from time to time but hopefully our friends, family, and faith are enough to pull us out. Some are not so lucky. In the United States alone, according to the CDC, almost 40,000 people committed suicide in 2011. According to a recent article by Kristin Jones with Rocky Mountain PBS, Colorado and many western states have a much higher than average suicide rate than other parts of the country. She mentions, "Here there are large stretches of unpopulated land where geography can isolate neighbors and social ties." It appears we can't do this alone, as much as we try, and feel we can handle a life crisis on our own. If we can't we feel it makes us weak.
Every day we are bombarded with thousands of thoughts that go through our mind through our daily lives while driving, working, or with family and friends. Some of these thoughts could be our own, some from God or from the devil. How can we discern?
I will have more thoughts on these flaming arrows in another upcoming blog.
You are driving down a highway and you suddenly have an instant thought to run your car off the road and kill yourself. He asked his audience how many have had this experience before?
Almost 2/3 of those in attendance raised their hands. In my life I would have raised my hand as well. This is something I had never shared with anyone before as they would probably think I was crazy for even entertaining these thoughts. How can this be so common?
Mr Vallotton explains that some of these thoughts we have are not are own. Well, who's are they? He quotes Ephesions 6:16 "In all circumstances, have faith as a shield to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Those thoughts are from the devil. I believe we are constantly bombarded by thoughts or flaming arrows of the devil. The question is how often do we act on these thoughts, aka sin! I believe we are all in spiritual warfare, a game of good vs evil. But is it really a game at all? This is life and the stakes are your soul. Saint Paul talks about this battle against evil and Ephesians 6: 10-11. "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil."
I keep thinking back to the recent suicide and death of Robin Williams who had struggled with depression and addictions. I was shocked when I heard the news and could not believe that he could have hanged himself. Did he loose that spiritual battle? Was the devil whispering in his ear? We may never know. His story seemed to have resonated strongly through social media circles during the week that followed. How many of us have had that pull of depression where we think there is no hope? Maybe there is more people out there than we realize and many were wondering if this could happen to me? Certainly we have all been depressed from time to time but hopefully our friends, family, and faith are enough to pull us out. Some are not so lucky. In the United States alone, according to the CDC, almost 40,000 people committed suicide in 2011. According to a recent article by Kristin Jones with Rocky Mountain PBS, Colorado and many western states have a much higher than average suicide rate than other parts of the country. She mentions, "Here there are large stretches of unpopulated land where geography can isolate neighbors and social ties." It appears we can't do this alone, as much as we try, and feel we can handle a life crisis on our own. If we can't we feel it makes us weak.
Every day we are bombarded with thousands of thoughts that go through our mind through our daily lives while driving, working, or with family and friends. Some of these thoughts could be our own, some from God or from the devil. How can we discern?
I will have more thoughts on these flaming arrows in another upcoming blog.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Following "The Heart of Things" by Bill Donaghy
You may remember Bill Donaghy's Pyramid of Intimacy that I posted last year and now he is blogging every day during Lent. He is now part of the Theology of the Body Institute and teaching classes. He has some great posts, so I have linked his blog under my blog list. Enjoy! The link below takes you to a new "theography" showing from Eve's no to Mary's Yes.
http://www.missionmoment.blogspot.com/2014/03/from-eve-no-to-mary-yes.html
http://www.missionmoment.blogspot.com/2014/03/from-eve-no-to-mary-yes.html
Monday, March 10, 2014
Men's Holy Hour to Battle Pornography
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Northglenn is holding a Lenten holy hour at 8 am, each Saturday during Lent. I had the chance to go last Saturday and found it a very powerful and moving experience. Given the time of morning and on a Saturday, the amount of men there was astounding. The hour was combined with adoration and mixed with acoustic guitar and praise singing.
The priest offered some words about pornography, calling it "the single biggest problem facing our society" and as an addictive drug compared to the likes of heroin. I have dealt with my own lust and desires towards pornography in the past and still feel the whispers of the evil one with constant temptations.
Praise to all men to come speak out against Pornography and a challenge to bring your teenage sons! I 'm still working on my two. A promise of breakfast after might do it.
Immaculate Heart of Mary
11385 Grant St.
Northglenn.
8 am, each Saturday during lent.
The priest offered some words about pornography, calling it "the single biggest problem facing our society" and as an addictive drug compared to the likes of heroin. I have dealt with my own lust and desires towards pornography in the past and still feel the whispers of the evil one with constant temptations.
Praise to all men to come speak out against Pornography and a challenge to bring your teenage sons! I 'm still working on my two. A promise of breakfast after might do it.
Immaculate Heart of Mary
11385 Grant St.
Northglenn.
8 am, each Saturday during lent.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
New U2 song, "Invisible"
This new U2 song has Theology of the Body written all over it. Check it out and pay attention to the lyrics below.
"Invisible"
It’s like the room just cleared of smoke
I didn’t even want the heart you broke
It’s yours to keep
You just might need one
I finally found my real name
I won’t be me when you see me again
No, I won’t be my father’s son
I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
More than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
That's right
I’ll be in the invisible world
I don’t dream, not as such
I don’t even think about you that much
Unless I start to think at all
All those frozen days
And your frozen ways
They melt away your face like snow
I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
I’m more than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
I am here
I am here
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only you
And there’s only me
There is no them
"Invisible"
It’s like the room just cleared of smoke
I didn’t even want the heart you broke
It’s yours to keep
You just might need one
I finally found my real name
I won’t be me when you see me again
No, I won’t be my father’s son
I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
More than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
That's right
I’ll be in the invisible world
I don’t dream, not as such
I don’t even think about you that much
Unless I start to think at all
All those frozen days
And your frozen ways
They melt away your face like snow
I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
I’m more than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
I am here
I am here
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only you
And there’s only me
There is no them
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Coffee shops and Life!
Most every town has a coffee shop, whether a local mom and pop store or your local Starbucks. Yet these stores are much more than selling coffee. They are about relationships and communion with one other. Whether with your spouse, friends, siblings or just during a business meeting. They are promoting interactions with each other. Yes, there are some who come to do homework, use their laptop or just relax and listen to music. It is a way to leave the busy schedule of the day and step back for a moment. Yet the solo crowd could have stayed home yet they venture into a shop where people converse and share life moments. Why do they come here? Why do I? Last night I visited my favorite coffee shop in Longmont, Colorado called, La Vita Bella. I feel very close to God during these times when I visit this coffee shop; whether it is the light chimes of bells when you first enter, or the inviting music, or the greeting from the Batista. We all want to belong. This place reminds me of Cheers, the comedy about a bar in Boston where "Everybody knows your name." La Vita Bella has stairs which lead down into the tables. I usually order the Bella Notte; an espresso made with their homemade dark chocolate. It is to die for and every time I thank God for those wonderful flavors every time I take my first sip. Last night the place was busy with several groups. One group was either high school or college students huddled around one table, playing a board game. In today's culture what a wonderful thing to see young adults converse and laugh that doesn't involve alcohol or everyone at the same table engulfed in their smart phone. At another table, sat a group of women conversing, while on the other side a couch was occupied by a guitar player and friends. For some reason, coffee invokes conversation.
These times I am usually alone but I marvel at these interactions going on. In a culture where we are occupied by I phones and laptops, the coffee shop offers a venue where we are called to communion with each other. Many times my wife and I have little "mini dates" where we can get away for a an hour and talk about life, families, and building our own relationship. I would say our marriage is stronger just for the sake of our little "coffee talks"
Last week when I visited La Vita Bella, I had a real conversation with a homeless man, perhaps my first conversation in my life. In the past if I encountered a homeless person, it would a quick exchange of a dollar or maybe an apple, or piece of my unused lunch; yet only a quick acknowledgement of their existence. Yet they are human beings and as I looked into his eyes that evening, and there was real life; yet filled with hurt and pain. We had a talk. He said at one moment, a date which stuck out to him. "February 2nd; before that date I had everything, and then had nothing." He did not elaborate. I noticed a small cross on his hat and asked him if he still believed in God. He said, "If I did not, I would not be here." He did not want a handout, but before I left, I gave him my new Missal for the new church year. He did not refuse. If anything in 2014, I want to be more "out there" in life and not always behind a book or the computer. This was one way to do that.I invite everyone to go their favorite coffee shop and have a real conversation. Not just to buzz through the drive through or sit and talk on your I phone, but have a real talk. Get deep, go beyond the "how are you..." Give it a try and watch how your life improves! Several of our past talks with my wife revolved around reading Matthew Kelly's book, "Seven Levels of Intimacy." Give it a try. Enjoy a cup of joe with somebody you love, or kick up a relationship with that person alone at the next table.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
My 2013 Impacts. Happy New Year Everyone!
1. Theology of the Body 1: Head and Heart Immersion Course. As for my spiritual development and becoming a better person; this was the highlight of the year! This course was taught by Christopher West and was everything I had imagined. It taught me how to pray the prayer of agony, and go to confession and adoration. I could feel the holy spirit working through each one of us through the week. I highly recommend it. Here is a link to their website. http://www.tobinstitute.org
2. Teaching Theology of the Body at our local Parish: I was so excited after my TOB retreat that I couldn't wait to spread the word. I would like to do more courses in the future but realized how hard it was to squeeze a program into an already active parish.
3. My Kids Activities. My two oldest boys are playing high school baseball and I get tremendous joy on watching them compete and watching their games in the Spring and Summer. Watching their skill sets improve on a year to year basis and hoping 2014 will earn a trip to the State tournament. Go Josh and Matt! Watching my youngest daughter dance around the house which translates in the annual dance performance at a local High School.
4. September floods in Colorado. Maybe not a "best" event but certainly had the most impact on my job and our lives along the Front Range of Colorado. As a meteorologist we had never seen anything like the amount of water which dumped during several days during September. Over 10 inches of rain in one week at my house is unheard of. As of one our forecasters was quoted describing this event as "Biblical!"
5. Best Movies I've seen (not necessarily from 2013 but what I watched).
8. Road Trip to the desert Southwest of Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. The Grand National Park tour. Great time with the family in seeing some of the great beauty of the desert.
9. Coffee dates with my wife: We try to allow ourselves some mini dates together breaking up the busy schedules of the day. Even if its 30 minutes, a chance to catch up and breath.
10. Studying the mystics of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila. There is great vision here that I have yet to unpack.
2. Teaching Theology of the Body at our local Parish: I was so excited after my TOB retreat that I couldn't wait to spread the word. I would like to do more courses in the future but realized how hard it was to squeeze a program into an already active parish.
3. My Kids Activities. My two oldest boys are playing high school baseball and I get tremendous joy on watching them compete and watching their games in the Spring and Summer. Watching their skill sets improve on a year to year basis and hoping 2014 will earn a trip to the State tournament. Go Josh and Matt! Watching my youngest daughter dance around the house which translates in the annual dance performance at a local High School.
4. September floods in Colorado. Maybe not a "best" event but certainly had the most impact on my job and our lives along the Front Range of Colorado. As a meteorologist we had never seen anything like the amount of water which dumped during several days during September. Over 10 inches of rain in one week at my house is unheard of. As of one our forecasters was quoted describing this event as "Biblical!"
5. Best Movies I've seen (not necessarily from 2013 but what I watched).
- Gravity
- 42
- 12 Years A Slave
- I Am (from 2010)
- Les Miserables
- Life of Pi
- Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
- Fill These Hearts by Christopher West
- Seven Levels of Intimacy by Matthew Kelly
- Entering the Castle by Caroline Myss
- Reread of Dark Tower 7, by Stephen King
- Head and the Heart: "Shake"
- Army of Me: new album: "Searching for You"
- Cold Play: "Fix You" and the "The Scientist"
- MGMT: "Time to Pretend"
- Music from Natasha Paremski
8. Road Trip to the desert Southwest of Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. The Grand National Park tour. Great time with the family in seeing some of the great beauty of the desert.
9. Coffee dates with my wife: We try to allow ourselves some mini dates together breaking up the busy schedules of the day. Even if its 30 minutes, a chance to catch up and breath.
10. Studying the mystics of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila. There is great vision here that I have yet to unpack.
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