Catholic | Brother | Son | Texan 🤠 🇺🇸 @UTAustin - Media Studies '02
Texas
Joined August 2012
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Constitutional Amendment XXVIII :
Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind.
EJ Preston retweeted
John Milton coined ‘sensuous’ so that he wouldn't have to use ‘sensual.’
‘Sensual’ usually describes gratification of the senses or physical appetites as an end in itself.
‘Sensuous,’ on the other hand, usually implies pleasing of the senses by art or similar means.
EJ Preston retweeted
“The purpose of knowledge is to help us recognize fake quotes on the Internet.”
—Aristotle
Actually, I’m gonna use this poor, neglected 😅, beautiful work of art as a soapbox to tell a quick story. Pope Leo recently declared that the death penalty isn’t admissible any longer, for any reason, and my parish’s Deacon delivered a homily today about just that: both reiterations of Francis’ teaching to the same in 2018.
Deacon George reaffirmed their reasoning that the dignity imbued into to us all by God can only be taken from us by Him, just as it was given - this was the focus, rather than the state of modern detention and the recent botched executions, etc. Then Deacon did something I’d not seen from a pulpit: while agreeing with the teaching (naturally as the ordained must, in theory hah) he told us he’d been struggling with the teaching for a long time - as far back as Francis, for the better part of eight years I’d suppose.
George was a police officer in another life, so to speak, and thus he’s certainly seen horrors humans are capable of that only they, soldiers, and other such first responders are exposed to. Deep down I’d say his mind, especially his will, is still dictating that there’s some people out there who deserve to die - I’m right there with him, think the same when I see certain headlines. But today I believe many of us found ourselves in alignment with Deacon in another way: in our hearts. My heart says the teaching is true, just as his does. Yes, as you may be guessing, it was a masterful homily, and we’re deeply blessed to have him. ❤️
The reasoning is sound both theologically and, for lack of a better single word at the moment, technologically. Perhaps some of us will struggle with this issue for the rest of our lives. Maybe it’s worth the wisdom gained from such an ordeal between the heart and mind.
Skeletor over here laying down the Word on y’all. ❤️
If I hear one more person say “baptism doesn’t matter because the thief on the cross” I may grow skin again!
People. Jesus commanded you to get baptized. Do it.
Yes, there are circumstances which prevent baptism, kind of like, say, being nailed to a cross?
But if you’re NOT nailed to the cross, you don’t have that excuse.
Every Christian who can be baptized should be baptized.
Yes. I know, baptism alone doesn’t save you. But Peter talked about baptism saving because it is a piece of your journey in the Christian walk with Jesus.
I understand the misnomer that some people think baptism saves them, so they don’t have to do anything else. Yes, that’s totally wrong. But I hear so many people proudly declare that they don’t need to be baptized that I fear we’ve made light of an ancient and holy sacrament of the Church.
Don’t make excuses: do it. I assure you that Jesus does not care about your list of technicalities; He asked you to be baptized. Don’t confuse baby Christians; encourage them to be baptized.
Just make sure they know baptism alone doesn’t save you. Baptism kickstarts your Christian walk in obedience to Jesus.
Hah. 🎯
Rich Young Man: "Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
Jesus: "Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."
Sola Scriptura Guy: "Don't listen to him! He may be God, but He's preaching works-based salvation! You must not listen to this man!"
EJ Preston retweeted
The road to hell is paved with the skulls of those who tell themselves "But the other side is worse, so..."
EJ Preston retweeted
Friends, the modern conception of the self is built on autonomous choice: “This is my life; these are my choices; don’t tell me what to do.”
That’s legitimate—up to a point.
In Catholic thought, the self isn’t the sheerly autonomous, self-reliant individual of modernity. There is also the reality of participation: “I’m me, but I belong to something bigger than myself: a family, a community, a faith.”
Paul Tillich spoke of a polarity between individualization and participation. These two poles of the self should live in a creative, healthy tension.
But we’ve lost sight of the second, and it’s the side we need more of today.
EJ Preston retweeted
This is bad, actually.
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Y’all. I just cannot recommend @CatherineProj enough - there’s so many options they almost feel endless. Years and years worth of engaging discussion are within your reach! ❤️
Retweeted this nostalgically last week and got a few new takers! Kierkegaard readers of today, sign up for @CatherineProj . Also for anyone else who wants to read something else serious and good in their free time!