Original Sin?

Quote: FrGamble

We are hear to love each other. The proof is how you feel when you don't.

So Catholicism is the religion of love? I
thought that was the Moonies..

Quote: Face

You do well enough explaining. Thanks for taking the time =)

I guess I asked because I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately, and "commitment" is a concept I keep coming back to. I see many here and at WoV who have it by the ton, and you and your faith seem to exemplify what I've been pondering. You're "all in". I'm sure you have other hobbies, interests, and passions, but no one doubts your commitment to the cross.

I'm finding I lack that, and I'm not sure why. It's there sort-of, but never at a level that I've seen in others. I know I write passionately about certain things at times, and none of that is concocted or faked... but it's always a temporary thing. You've all followed along as I worked hours every day for months getting my race team going, but now, even considering I have absolutely nothing to do, it just sits. For the time being, I'm just not into it. Same with fishing. Guys are still pulling late season trout as recent as yesterday; I haven't gone out once. Still have nothing to do, no reason not to go. I'm just not into it right now. My job? For 6 years I worked every day. I'd put in my 8 hours, come home, and continue researching gaming math, AP, marketing, game play. I did it until I went to bed. I did it on weekends. I did it every day. Then one day - poof. Couldn't handle being in a casino even one more day.

I see people who give their lives to a cause or stay with a company for 30+ years, and I just wonder. How? Why? Are they insane to ignore all the other things life has to offer? Do they have it figured out and are on the path to mastery? Do they even have a choice, one way or the other? I dunno. But I wonder.

I guess I always assumed your faith was for a reason I would consider "dumb". Probably grew up that way, probably was enrolled into church before an age you could choose to do otherwise, probably had a pastor father. I suppose I view a lot of the religious like this - not much conscious thought, just doing it because you were raised with it.

But it appears I was wrong. You were lucky enough to "find a calling". And all it took was an open heart and being brave enough to search for it. Kudos.

I appreciate the post Face but I think what you are seeing is a little bit of an optical illusion. Yes I am "all in" but I still look at others and long for the same level of commitment you think you see in me. For example my love of the god sports dies hard and I still watch as many games as I can. I look at some of these coaches and I think, wow they do nothing but sports all day long, eat, breath sports and get paid for it. Wouldn't that be awesome if I did that for my religion. It is an image of these guys I paint in my head that is one of two things:

1) It is a false image. Yeah I see them for a couple of hours on Sunday and they are well prepared and know what they are doing, but that doesn't mean they don't have all types of other interests. They might also be just really good at football stuff and look at it as a job they excel at and nothing more, it might not take as much effort as we think for them. You see me and 90% of what I post is about religion and defending my beloved faith from assault. However, I love lots of other stuff and would be happy to learn and talk about them too. I think its healthy to have other interests and hobbies even if they are temporary. In my more sane imaginings I think a lot of those who we think are "all in" might be giving that impression a little more than the reality.

or

2) It is a calling within a calling. There is no doubt some of my good priest friends are "all in" in the sense you and I both stand in awe of. Some of those college or professional coaches are the same way. Everything in their lives is sacrificed on the altar of the gridiron or the altar of God. What is more they couldn't do it any other way and it makes them extraordinarily happy. They might never watch any new movies, all their hobbies revolve around their passion, and don't even try talking to them about the weather. One thing I have learned about callings is that they are not the same for everyone and it makes no sense complaining that I was not called to the married life or to be a monk. Nor does it make any sense comparing myself to a married person or a monk, because we have different callings. If you are not called to the radical type of commitment that some people show in their vocations I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. I reckon some of those with those callings within a calling might at times long to have a less demanding mission themselves; but they would never find their happiness living a well-rounded life and we would never find happiness no matter how radically we committed ourselves to something.

Quote: FrGamble

One thing I have learned about callings is that they are not the same for everyone

Nope. Some are called to join motorcycle
gangs, they get a lot of fulfillment from
the brother relationship with other men.
The same as priests do, I would imagine.

It doesn't matter what you do as long as
it makes you satisfied. Too many people
settle and never find that, though. I'd say
most never find it.

Quote: Evenbob

It doesn't matter what you do as long as
it makes you satisfied. Too many people
settle and never find that, though. I'd say
most never find it.

I wouldn't say it doesn't matter what you do, after all I think we can all imagine a few things that we would rather people not do even if they think it will lead to making them satisfied. The only other thing I'd say in response to a very good post is that one of the reasons I think some people never find that satisfaction is they think they can find the answer only by themselves. We often have to listen to those who love us to help discern what we may be called to do and that includes praying and asking God.

Quote: FrGamble

and that includes praying and asking God.

I was thinking today that clergy, like priests,
don't really believe in god, they pretend
to because they want to. And they're
surrounded by others who want to believe,
so it's easy. Because I don't believe, I don't
see how it's possible so I assume everybody
is like me.

What?!? My friend, there is no pretending about it. I believe in God with as much as my heart, soul, and mind as I can possibly give. God is real and so is my life giving and joyful relationship with Him. I do understand that this is very hard for you to see and I'm glad you realize your assumptions. My old football coach used to warn us about what happens when you ASS-U-ME.

Quote: FrGamble

What?!? My friend, there is no pretending about it. .

My feelings are bolstered by the 400 priests
I just mentioned in the other thread. They
make my point for me.

Take some time to read the book I mentioned in that other thread and who knows you might think about the priesthood.

Quote: FrGamble

I reckon you've heard the old starfish story before.

I don't see how it applies.

Imagine if the youngster took a photo of the starfish and posted it on Facebook for all 50 of his friends to see. Then he walks away convinced he's done good for the starfish, without picking up even one of them.

That's the kind of empty, symbolic gesture I'm talking about.

Quote: FrGamble

To play on one of the best intramural basketball teams you kind of had to join their Bible Study and they were pretty hard core protestant. When they would ask me questions about my Catholic faith and I had no answers. At the same time I knew their misconceptions about the Catholic Church were way off so I went and asked a priest.

So if you'd gone to a less fanatical school, your life might have been better?