Friday, July 15th

Today I find myself rather stunted-feeling. My mind, in these states, feels dammed up against creative motions. Too much adherance to passive pleasures, video games without cause, a lack of good sleep that keeps me shallow-minded. I am reminded against of what motivates me, what drives me.

The story. Truely truely, the apex, the zenith, is the story.

Anime always seems to remind me of this, God and Church brings it home.

The human condition--suffering, loss, death, war. The quest for love and happiness. The Savior--He who sustains and provides life. He who is, who was, and will be forever, Amen.

I've heard recently that our Pope, as a Cardinal, is quoted as saying "It is good that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because these are subtle seductions which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly,"

Well, I agree in some ways, and I disagree in some ways.

In every way I deal in fantasy, I draw a Christian message or write one in myself--just ask those who I rp with--which strengthens my faith is subtle ways.

However, I cannot speak for those who don't know Christ. There is a danger about most things. I am not exempt. So easily distracted I am, especially by things such as game, and yes, even anime. The important thing is to keep your sights set on the right place, a matter of balance. If you have that Light, set on a mountain for all to see, and follow it as if your very life depends on it (which, of course, it does) then nothing can overcome you. However, one without the light, stumbling in darkness, can be be easily led astray.

One who reads fantasy knowing it is fantasy, a crafty way to tell a fictional story, then the harm is minimal--as long as it does not become obsessive.

B-XVI's opinion makes good, if not perfect sense. You don't give an ensign control of a fleet, you don't give a new Christian a copy of of the Koran. As St. Paul writes in 1 Corithians 8:

"If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if one loves God, one is known by him. Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" -- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall."

Simply, if one is strong in their faith, such fiction is moot, neither good nor bad. But to the easily twisted, those who are not standing on the Rock, anything can provide a stumbling block to "deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly."

I think this is exactly what has happened to a good deal of our lukewarm, fallen away Catholics, they were caught up in the modern world and swept away before they knew what was happening--and then believed it to be the end-all truth. May God bless each one of them.

Ok...now that that off-track rant is over, the purpose of this post. To say how hard it is to remain in good Grace if I bow only to the alter of lesser gods (in this case, the distractions that are modern entertainment) Forgive me, my Lord, for my lack of discression. I'll find new ways to spend my time...

Oh, and the reason I decided to start this post...a quote I found from Shusaku Endo's book "Silence"--that recounts the Christian persecutions in Japan:

From the letters of Father Sebastian Rodrigues: "We priests are in some ways a sad group of men. Born into the world to render service to mankind, there is no one more wretchedly alone than the priest who does not measure up to his task."

A hard reminder to one who is decerning, ne? Or perhaps a warning. And we wonder why we have Church scandals...our priests stopped praying. May God imprint that lesson into my soul.

God has been good to me, and I give Him thanks. Particularlly for the little reminders, just as my college friend calling me up to discuss the Faith. Imagine all the little things that had to happen for that little miracle. The meeting, the calling, the questioning, and the Grace. Our God works in mysterious ways, I tell you. But, "you" probably already knew that.

Of everything I know, everything I am...I never feel so content, so joyous, than when I am in the service of God--the Eternal Author of the Greatest Story of all Time!

I thank God for the reminder.

Lord, I ask of you, as you always have, stay by my side. Guide me in ways unknown. Fortify me when I become weak. Comfort me in sorrow, bless me in temptation. Keep me in your love. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise!