At least for myself, the world today can seem very much like a cave, and everything merely shadows. We all have questions, we all have opinions, but where do we find the truth? In the shadows? Or the light of truth? And how do we know what we're looking at?
Indeed, perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of today's western culture to me is not so much the rejection of truths, but the denial of the existence of truth. The denial that there even is a cave, or a sun, shadows or light. The idea that each person may decide for himself what is 'true' is a rather prevalent thought in our world. However, such an idea is not only illogical and dangerous, it's frankly pure bogus. The idea that absolutes, that truth, that morality itself is all purely relative is nothing more than a clever (or lazy) way out of dealing with many of the difficult or downright challenging facts of life.
The reality is, we are all in a cave, to one degree or another, and we cannot afford to just sit and stare at shadows. We are called to light, and to spread light, and that means leaving the cave, however comfortable it may be.
And so, there you have the reason for this blog. Not, perhaps, a map out of the cave, but more of a traveller's journal. Enjoy and feel free to comment and share thoughts!!!
God Bless,
Anna
Hi Anna
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. On a technical note, the background image shows through the foreground text making it a bit harder to read ...
Reflecting on the sex post, I am reminded of JP II's Theology of the Body and the nuptial meaning of the relationship within the Trinity and in creation. The narrowing of this to sexuality or just plain sex in the way these terms are bandied about in our world is a terrible diminishing of the dignity of the whole of creation, particularly the unique dignity of humanity. It is perhaps not a coincidence at all that at the same time we seem to be very confused about just what the difference is between human beings and the rest of Creation. Or, for that matter, what the meanings of masculine and feminine are, or the meaning of vocation, or ...
Is it all about sex? No. But the sexuality, the nuptial meaning, of all creation is profound and beautiful. Benedict XVI has been talking about our need to really understand and know how to communicate with people and culture in a world where all this may not mean anything to a lot of people. I suspect that one of the key links or connection points will come through beauty and how we, as Christians and Catholics, live that. It was the beauty, power and stunning witness of the once-timid apostles, led by Peter, that led to the instant conversion and Baptism of 3000 after the coming of the Holy Spirit. It was the beauty, joy and unity of the early Christian communities that attracted followers ("See how they love one another).
Add to that the facts that we are relational beings and that our culture suffers from deep crisis in healthy human relationship and the possibility of attraction to a community that does have community is huge.
Nuff. Got to work.
Like yer blog.
Pater unit.