I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving on the 24th! I know I had a good one while spending it with my family. You can't go wrong with turkey and football. But as Thanksgiving passes we all move into the Christmas season. For most of us, Christmas is a time where we once again spend time with our families. I'm not sure about you but I know that at Christmas dinner there is always one conversation that comes up...
That is the conversation about U.S. politics. And with the Republican primaries being so close, I know that this year's discussion will be an interesting one to say the least. With the family debates come disagreement between family members. First and foremost, if you happen to find yourself in a political argument with family members, don't let one conversation ruin the relationships you have with those in your family. One political conversation is nothing to lose family over. Use the conversation to help gain a better understanding of how others think and view our political system. I encourage you not to get so entangled in the arguing party of the conversation. Instead, I ask you to reflect on what your beliefs are. There is no need to be angry at family over one conversation, but that one conversation can help you really find out what you really believe in.
When thinking about the upcoming primaries, and the not so far away Presidential general election, reflect on if the way you vote goes along with Christian teaching. Are you pro-life? What are your thoughts on immigration? Don't just vote for someone because you know your family members did to. Don't just like a candidate because they are a Republican or Democrat. When making your decision on who to vote for look at the candidates' voting records, what they have said/done and ask yourself if their views are in line with yours. After you have done that, take some time to reflect on whether or not your views are within Christian teaching. I'm not telling you to go out and spend days reflecting on the topic, but maybe just a few minutes after this prospective conversation ask yourself some of the above questions.
Most importantly you can't forget that it is the Christmas season. So don't go out looking to start a political argument with your family. Remember that the Christmas season, just like Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, is a time for family.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Talents
This Sunday's gospel is the Parable of the master who gives his servants talents. He gave one servant 5 talents, the second he gave 2, and to the third he gave 1 talent. When the master returned the first two had gained more talents (5 more for the first and 2 more for the second), but the third servant instead of going out to gain more talents he just dug a hole and kept it. When the master approached the third servant and learned of this he was very upset.
As a few friends and myself were discussing this gospel last night one of my friends brought up a good interpretation of the story. Instead of looking at the talents in the story as gold or what have you, we can look at these talents as the gifts that God has given to us. We should not waste what gifts or "talents" we are given by God, but instead we should share them with others and make something out of the things we are given. The first two servants would be examples of people who use there gifts and "talents" to create something for themselves and others, while third is someone who was given a gift but instead of sharing it with others or going out and making something of his gift, he wasted it and did nothing.
God gives us all our own unique gifts. He created us in the way that he intended, and he does not just give us gifts for nothing. Instead he gives us gifts so that we can make something of those gifts. If you have been given the gift/"talent" of singing, you should share your gift by singing, not sitting silent. If you are a great athlete then use your talents to help your team succeed. Strive to become a better athlete and excel at whatever sport you play. Don't waste the "talents" that God has given to you, because he has given them to you for a reason. Don't be mad that you aren't a great runner, but instead be happy that you are good at mathematics. Don't be angry at what you don't have, instead be grateful for the gifts that have been given to you by God.
As a few friends and myself were discussing this gospel last night one of my friends brought up a good interpretation of the story. Instead of looking at the talents in the story as gold or what have you, we can look at these talents as the gifts that God has given to us. We should not waste what gifts or "talents" we are given by God, but instead we should share them with others and make something out of the things we are given. The first two servants would be examples of people who use there gifts and "talents" to create something for themselves and others, while third is someone who was given a gift but instead of sharing it with others or going out and making something of his gift, he wasted it and did nothing.
God gives us all our own unique gifts. He created us in the way that he intended, and he does not just give us gifts for nothing. Instead he gives us gifts so that we can make something of those gifts. If you have been given the gift/"talent" of singing, you should share your gift by singing, not sitting silent. If you are a great athlete then use your talents to help your team succeed. Strive to become a better athlete and excel at whatever sport you play. Don't waste the "talents" that God has given to you, because he has given them to you for a reason. Don't be mad that you aren't a great runner, but instead be happy that you are good at mathematics. Don't be angry at what you don't have, instead be grateful for the gifts that have been given to you by God.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Fall Splash
This weekend is the grand opening of the new Athletic and Event Center on campus here at IC. During the grand opening there will be the dedication of Marty Higgins Stadium. This new turf field is named in honor of a former Ithaca Men's Rugby player who died unexpectedly of a heart ailment in the Fall of 1979. As a current member of the Men's Rugby team I draw many thoughts from the dedication of the field. As a rugger it is nice to have something on campus that recognizes past ruggers of IC. It also makes me think of how precious of our time here on earth is.
We should always try (no pun intended - rugby reference) to live life to the fullest and with a purpose, because you never know when our time here will be done. I know sometimes with papers, tests, projects, etc. it can seem a bit overwhelming. If you are stuck on a math problem or not sure how to start a paper, don't get frustrated, you will get it in time. Remember that there is more to life than just that One paper you wrote for that One class, One semester of One of the years you are in school. Enjoy the time that you spend with friends and family. When you do something, do it to full hearted and with all your effort, you may not get it at first, but if you keep working at it you will eventually get the hang of it. Go out and experience life; go to the gorges with your friends or take a trip to see a friend at another school. Try something new and exciting because no one knows how much time they have.
Over and out.
We should always try (no pun intended - rugby reference) to live life to the fullest and with a purpose, because you never know when our time here will be done. I know sometimes with papers, tests, projects, etc. it can seem a bit overwhelming. If you are stuck on a math problem or not sure how to start a paper, don't get frustrated, you will get it in time. Remember that there is more to life than just that One paper you wrote for that One class, One semester of One of the years you are in school. Enjoy the time that you spend with friends and family. When you do something, do it to full hearted and with all your effort, you may not get it at first, but if you keep working at it you will eventually get the hang of it. Go out and experience life; go to the gorges with your friends or take a trip to see a friend at another school. Try something new and exciting because no one knows how much time they have.
Over and out.
Monday, October 3, 2011
In a Garth Brooks song
God is always with us in our day to day lives. He is always watching us, and in this case, listening to us. Prayer is a powerful thing and can be very helpful in times of need. One thing that makes us human is the fact that we all make mistakes, and that we all have our own personal faults. We all must realize that it is not a weakness to ask for help from God when we really need it. Whether you are stuck writing a thesis paper or just having a rough day, God is always there to listen to you when you need him. He is there for us to show us the way to accomplish the things we pray for.
And on the opposite side of that idea, he may show us a way to something different than what we prayed to him for. Sometimes what we pray for isn't always what we need, and God knows that. Instead of granting us every wish like a genie or something out of a story book, God shows us a different path where we may learn something about ourselves. You catch yourself looking around at the things you have in your life and you realize how lucky you really are.
At that same moment you realize how great God is. You thank him for the prayers that he has answered and those "Unanswered Prayers" where he led you down a different path than you wanted. We have many sayings for what God is, and in this case, for me, God is happiness. God will lead you to a path of happiness and we must follow if we are to be truely happy.
P.S. If you didn't get the Garth Brooks reference or the "Unanswered Prayers" part: listen to the Garth Brooks song "Unanswered Prayers"
And on the opposite side of that idea, he may show us a way to something different than what we prayed to him for. Sometimes what we pray for isn't always what we need, and God knows that. Instead of granting us every wish like a genie or something out of a story book, God shows us a different path where we may learn something about ourselves. You catch yourself looking around at the things you have in your life and you realize how lucky you really are.
At that same moment you realize how great God is. You thank him for the prayers that he has answered and those "Unanswered Prayers" where he led you down a different path than you wanted. We have many sayings for what God is, and in this case, for me, God is happiness. God will lead you to a path of happiness and we must follow if we are to be truely happy.
P.S. If you didn't get the Garth Brooks reference or the "Unanswered Prayers" part: listen to the Garth Brooks song "Unanswered Prayers"
Monday, September 19, 2011
Bishop Clark visit
This past weekend we had the honor to have Bishop Matthew Clark with us at Muller Chapel. He said mass at the 1pm and 9pm masses. Bishop Clark was ordained a priest in 1962 and was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in 1979. Just by meeting him you can tell that he is a very intelligent person and a person who is also easily approachable.
At mass he spoke to the congregation about the relationships that we have with people everyday. He spoke about how we should try to get to know a little about the people we meet, and reflect on how they are part of our lives. In one of his columns for the Catholic Courier titled "It is good to be inspired by others," he talks about how we should thank the Lord for the people we meet in our everyday lives. I agree with this idea because I believe that the way we most often see the Lord in the world is through other people.
You never know who will be there to support, comfort, or guide you. A complete stranger could make your day just by smiling at you, or a friend can be there to comfort you through hard times. In both instances and any other like them I believe the Lord is there. So, I guess the point I am trying to make here is to try and get to know the people you interact with throughout your day. You don't need to become best friends with them, but try to learn some little thing about them so that you have something to remember them by, not just another face. We try so hard to find the Lord in our lives when in reality we can find the Lord in the most basic things in our lives. So go and show people the light of the Lord inside of you.
At mass he spoke to the congregation about the relationships that we have with people everyday. He spoke about how we should try to get to know a little about the people we meet, and reflect on how they are part of our lives. In one of his columns for the Catholic Courier titled "It is good to be inspired by others," he talks about how we should thank the Lord for the people we meet in our everyday lives. I agree with this idea because I believe that the way we most often see the Lord in the world is through other people.
You never know who will be there to support, comfort, or guide you. A complete stranger could make your day just by smiling at you, or a friend can be there to comfort you through hard times. In both instances and any other like them I believe the Lord is there. So, I guess the point I am trying to make here is to try and get to know the people you interact with throughout your day. You don't need to become best friends with them, but try to learn some little thing about them so that you have something to remember them by, not just another face. We try so hard to find the Lord in our lives when in reality we can find the Lord in the most basic things in our lives. So go and show people the light of the Lord inside of you.
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