Happy New Year

Third Architect of Modernity

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) An important element of Nietzsche's philosophical outlook is the "will to power" (der Wille zur Macht), which provides a basis for understanding motivation in human behavior. But this concept may have wider application, as Nietzsche, in a number of places, also suggests that the will to power is a more important element than pressure for adaptation or survival. In its later forms Nietzsche's concept of the will to power applies to all living things, suggesting that adaptation and the struggle to survive is a secondary drive in the evolution of animals, less important than the desire to expand one’s power.
Writing a generation before Nietzsche, Schopenhauer had regarded the entire universe and everything in it as driven by a primordial will to live, thus resulting in all creatures' desire to avoid death and to procreate. Nietzsche suggests that people and animals really want power; living in itself appears only as a subsidiary aim — something necessary to promote one's power. In defense of his view, Nietzsche appeals to many instances in which people and animals willingly risk their lives in order to promote their power, most notably in instances like competitive fighting and warfare. Once again, Nietzsche seems to take part of his inspiration from the ancient Homeric Greek texts he knew well: Greek heroes and aristocrats or "masters" did not desire mere living (they often died quite young and risked their lives in battle) but wanted power, glory, and greatness.

The third great temptation is power. I want to have my own way. My way is better than your way, it is even better than God's way. The Christian, however, prays as Jesus taught us saying, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." In another place Jesus says, "I came, not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me." The consecrated person takes a vow of obedience. In love for God he freely gives up his own will in order to carry out the will of God. All Christians must practice obedience to the will of God. Obediance to the will of God results in freedom. God is the creator and ruler of all things. When we live according to his reign we particpate in it. "If you die with me, you will also reign with me."

Second architect of modernity

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is the father of modern psychology. Freud is also renowned for his redefinition of sexual desire as the primary motivational energy of human life. He invented the idea of sexual repression - that if we do not act on our sexual appetites we are repressed. Since modern society has accepted this most people think it is necessary and good to experiment sexually. Only by doing this can we discover our true selves. This is why modern society rejects modesty, chastity, monogamy and celibacy. All of these virtues which moderate our sexual appetite will lead to disorder in the Freudian understanding of the human person.

The desire for pleasure is indeed very strong, but it is not the measure of our whole lives. The Christian practices the virtue of temperance, placing the desires of the body under the guidance of the intelligence. The person in the religious life makes a vow of chastity, and lives in freedom not in a state of slavery to the passions. All Christians are called to practice chastity no matter what their state in life. Chastity will preserve the virtue of charity so that we always recognize the dignity of the human person and never use others as mere tools for our own pleasure. It also prevents us from being a slave to our own passions.

Three Architects of Modernity

1. Karl Marx (1818 - 1883) atheist author who wrote about economics. For him financial realities are the only realities. Economics is the driving force of society and individuals. The individual really doesn't exist. for Marx we are members of a class, destined operate out of limits of the class in which we find ourselves.
It is true that possessions are a continual temptation for man. To remedy this the religious takes a vow of poverty. Abandoning the things of this world the consecrated person bears witness that it is the spirit that gives life. All Christians are called to have this same attitude towards their earthly possessions. Recognize that they are passing away and our greatest possessions are the gifts that God bestows upon us. The things we have are not the measure of our lives or our souls.

you might be a hardcore catholic if . . .

you've accidentally genuflected at a place other than church ex. the movie theatre, school auditorium
-you're sick of being asked why priests can't be married
-you have a "favorite" religious order
-you say the meal prayer no matter where you are
-you have a nativity set at your house during christmas, and have also played with it.
-you've accidently made the sign of the cross when leaving regular buildings
-whenever anyone says "JPII" in your head you think "We love you"
-you know that Father Stan could take on Eminem anyday
-you know that advent is the beginning of the new church year.
-you have a special place in your heart for Mother Teresa
-you're more than willing to come forth with a valid miracle to help Mother Teresa become a saint
-You know at least five people named Mary
-You want to name one of your sons John Paul
-you have a Mary statue in your front yard.
-You can name off all the Joyful, Glorious, Sorrowful, and Luminous mysteries.
-you consider your rosary to be your spiritual weapon
-You've memorized the St. Michael the Archangel prayer and recite it when you feel tempted by sin
-one or more of your friends entered the seminary or the convent
-you have 20+ cousins.
-your mom is currently pregnant
-you and your spouse practice NFP
-you believe in Purgatory and know it's important to pray for the souls who are currently in Purgatory

Speaking of Christians today he said, “Our true problem is not being a minority, but rather having voluntarily become marginal, irrelevant, because of our lack of courage, so that we will be left alone, because of our mediocrity.” “For Christians,” Cardinal Rylko added, “the moment has arrived to free themselves from a false inferiority complex … to be valiant witnesses of Christ.” This is, he said, the “hour of the laity,” to take on their “responsibility in the diverse fields of public life, from politics to the promotion of life and family, from work to the economy, from education to the formation of youth.” He warned, however, that such faithfulness would come at a personal cost. “Whoever wants to live and act according to the Gospel of Christ has to pay a price, even in the highly liberal societies of the West,” he said.

Many who do not embrace the Christian faith nonetheless have a high appreciation of the importance of Christianity to the cultural and social order. Theirs is an instrumental view of religion. Edward Gibbon caught the idea nicely, and in his usual caustic manner, when describing the religious cults of the Roman Empire. He says the common people viewed them as true, the philosophers viewed them as false, and the rulers viewed them as useful. Today’s political class in America has in recent decades undergone a conversion, so to speak, to the usefulness of religion.

Ho hum, this blog is boring, nothing to report. We are finally getting started on our building project. The official start dat was Nov. 10. The contract 12 months to complete phase I. If the weather cooperates we could be in the new building by Thanksgiving next year. I hope and pray it will be so.

Dedication of our Church

On November 12, 1912 Bishop Hennessey dedicated the Church of St. Patrick in Kingman. We have been worshipping God in this church for 96 years. The celebration of the dedication of a church ranks ahead of all other memorials in the calendar. It is on the same level as a wedding anniversary. The Church is the bride and Jesus is the groom. For us in our community of Kingman Jesus has been a devoted spouse and husband to us. You celebrate your wedding anniversary as a way of renewing your joy at the yes that was exchanged between you. We celebrate the dedication of our Church as a renewal of the yes of the people of Kingman to the love of God.
You are living stones being built into the temple of God.

Hey all. I took the week off from writing. There was obviosly a lot to cover with the elections.
You might read the biographies of the saints from Monday and Tuesday, St. Martin DePorres and St. Charles Borromeo. The had completely different backgrounds but the grace of God transformed both of them in a powerful way. You can find their stories at newadvent.org

All Souls Day

This is borrowed from Fr. Cantalamessa.
Faith doesn't free believers from the anguish of having to die, but it soothes us with hope. A preface of the Mass (for All Souls' Day) says: "If the certainty of having to die saddens us, the hope of future immortality consoles us." In this sense, there is a moving testimony that also comes from Russia. In 1972, in a clandestine magazine a prayer was published that had been found in the jacket pocket of a soldier, Aleksander Zacepa, composed just before the World War II battle in which he would die.It says:Hear me, oh God! In my lifetime, I have not spoken with you even once, but today I have the desire to celebrate. Since I was little, they have always told me that you don't exist. And I, like an idiot, believed it.I have never contemplated your works, but tonight I have seen from the crater of a grenade the sky full of stars, and I have been fascinated by their splendor. In that instant I have understood how terrible is the deception. I don't know, oh God, if you will give me your hand, but I say to you that you understand me … Is it not strange that in the middle of a frightful hell, light has appeared to me, and I have discovered you?I have nothing more to tell you. I feel happy, because I have known you. At midnight, we have to attack, but I am not afraid. You see us.They have given the signal. I have to go. How good it was to be with you! I want to tell you, and you know, that the battle will be difficult: Perhaps this night, I will go to knock on your door. And if up to now, I have not been your friend, when I go, will you allow me to enter?But, what's happening to me? I cry? My God, look at what has happened to me. Only now, I have begun to see with clarity. My God, I go. It will be difficult to return. How strange, now, death does not make me afraid.

All Saints Day

St. Paul told the Philippians

"I am confidant that God, who has begun this great work in you, will bring it to completion."

The great work is our sanctification, the renewal of our souls, the making us fit for heaven. Are you cooperating with God's grace? All He needs is a little cooperation for us to become saints.

More funny things that only married men know about.
The nine words women use:
1. FINE This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. FIVE MINUTES If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. NOTHING This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4 GO AHEAD This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
To keep reading, read more
5. LOUD SIGH This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. THAT'S OK This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. THANKS A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome.
8. WHATEVER Is a women's way of saying #@!% YOU!
9. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.