Seeing the end of Season 3, it is becoming apparent to me the lessons (intentional or not) that can be drawn from the character of the Doctor.
The Doctor is ever-forgiving and ever-merciful even to his most hated enemies. It also seems to be something that is developing for the character, because to look at his past, he has not always been as kind and gentle as now.
The wrath of the Doctor is still unleashed, albeit after multiple offers of mercy and help. And his wrath is terrible.
This slightly campy, gloriously witty sci-fi is beginning to seem a lot deeper to me. I relish each opportunity to observe the story of this creature who has carried out the (entirely warranted, mind you) genocide of several species, and witnessed the destruction of his own people. Each episode, he deals with loss and disappointment, death and betrayal, but he does not become embittered and hostile to the world around him. He continues to see the wonder in the universe and the boundless potential of humanity. He grows more merciful each time his mercy is rejected and can forgive horrors that are mind-warping in their scope. Yet he is an ever-vigilant protector, raining rightious destruction down upon those who unrepentantly seek after innocent blood.
A lot of Old Testament in there, if you know where to look.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Epiphany
Father John substituted on our RCIA class today. We read thru the Compendium section on the Eucharist, and Father commented on each subsection as we got thru it.
Some of my notes from the session:
Rightly the Most Blessed Sacrament is called the source and summit of our faith.
Source and Summit = Beginning and End = Alpha and Omega.
The Church does not consider the Lord's day (Sunday) a new or different Sabbath. Sabbath is still Sunday. Instead they see the Lord's Day as a fulfillment of the Sabbath. Just as the New Testament fulfils the Old, Mass fulfills the Passover, and Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets. The Church calls it the Eighth Day.
Also of note was the comment by Father that we should dress for Mass as we would dress for a wedding feast. I’ve been wearing casual because most of my friends at church do, however I now have license to dress spiffy. If that draws a snide comment from my friends, I may respond innocently, “But we were told to at RCIA. By Father. I wonder if it was just us initiate, or if he meant for everyone?”
To bad I have to take the hat off in church.
I look good in that hat.
Some of my notes from the session:
Rightly the Most Blessed Sacrament is called the source and summit of our faith.
Source and Summit = Beginning and End = Alpha and Omega.
The Church does not consider the Lord's day (Sunday) a new or different Sabbath. Sabbath is still Sunday. Instead they see the Lord's Day as a fulfillment of the Sabbath. Just as the New Testament fulfils the Old, Mass fulfills the Passover, and Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets. The Church calls it the Eighth Day.
Also of note was the comment by Father that we should dress for Mass as we would dress for a wedding feast. I’ve been wearing casual because most of my friends at church do, however I now have license to dress spiffy. If that draws a snide comment from my friends, I may respond innocently, “But we were told to at RCIA. By Father. I wonder if it was just us initiate, or if he meant for everyone?”
To bad I have to take the hat off in church.
I look good in that hat.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Caught in the Thorns
Praying our family Rosary tonight, I remembered this bit of scripture while meditating on the 3rd Sorrowful Mystery, the Crowning with Thorns.
-----
Genesis 22
10 Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
-----
The substitute sacrifice
The ram with his horns bound in a thicket
The Lamb of God with his head wreathed in thorns.
-----
Genesis 22
10 Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
-----
The substitute sacrifice
The ram with his horns bound in a thicket
The Lamb of God with his head wreathed in thorns.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Mission, Day 1 - Part 3
Continued Notes from Mission with Fr. Daniel McCaffrey
Personal Lord and Saviour
Eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ is the most personal relationship you could ever have with Jesus.
Holiness of the Church
The Apostles were not all disqualified because of Judas Iscariot. Christ’s promises when he founded the Church are not invalidated just because hypocrites and sinners work themselves into it. Peter defected, and Jesus turned the whole Church over to him. Heaven is for saints, Church is for sinners.
Fr. McCaffrey also mentioned a statistic of about 85% of catholics are contricepting.
Best line of the night, “You say the Church is full of hypocrites, well I say there is always room for one more!”
The Vicar of Christ has the purpose of keeping doctrine pure. If you jump off the bark of Peter, you end up in the water.
Personal Lord and Saviour
Eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ is the most personal relationship you could ever have with Jesus.
Holiness of the Church
The Apostles were not all disqualified because of Judas Iscariot. Christ’s promises when he founded the Church are not invalidated just because hypocrites and sinners work themselves into it. Peter defected, and Jesus turned the whole Church over to him. Heaven is for saints, Church is for sinners.
Fr. McCaffrey also mentioned a statistic of about 85% of catholics are contricepting.
Best line of the night, “You say the Church is full of hypocrites, well I say there is always room for one more!”
The Vicar of Christ has the purpose of keeping doctrine pure. If you jump off the bark of Peter, you end up in the water.
Mission, Day 1 - Part 2
A big part of the Mission lecture tonight revolved around salvation in, and out, of the Church.
My notes, and please remember just because I wrote it down does not mean that is actually what Fr. McCaffrey actually said.
Seperated Brethren:
All protestants of good faith are joined to the Catholic Church by their baptism.
If they are aware that the Church contains the fullness of faith (which it does), they become accountable for their seperation and must seek to enter fully into the Church.
Basically, there is One Way, but several means. Plane, train, automobile, rollerskates, camel, foot, pogo-stick, etc.
Non-Christians:
Natural Law is imprinted on the heart of every reasoning being. Knowledge of God and Judgement come from being part of His creation.
Baptism of Desire.
If they pursue and accept the Light of God that they have by virtue of their creation, then they are justified, as was Abraham by his obediance, even though unbaptised.
If they come to know that Christ is the Redeemer, they must seek baptism, and christian life.
Catholics are of course held to the highest standard. Since they have and are aware of the fullness of faith, they must avail themselves of the complete christian life. We must be saints!
We pray for those who are saved outside the Church at Mass. (Mass Prayer 3 "And all who have left this world in your friendship." Eucharist Prayer 4: "who are seeking you with a sincere heart", "and all the dead whose faith is known to you alone.")
My notes, and please remember just because I wrote it down does not mean that is actually what Fr. McCaffrey actually said.
Seperated Brethren:
All protestants of good faith are joined to the Catholic Church by their baptism.
If they are aware that the Church contains the fullness of faith (which it does), they become accountable for their seperation and must seek to enter fully into the Church.
Basically, there is One Way, but several means. Plane, train, automobile, rollerskates, camel, foot, pogo-stick, etc.
Non-Christians:
Natural Law is imprinted on the heart of every reasoning being. Knowledge of God and Judgement come from being part of His creation.
Baptism of Desire.
If they pursue and accept the Light of God that they have by virtue of their creation, then they are justified, as was Abraham by his obediance, even though unbaptised.
If they come to know that Christ is the Redeemer, they must seek baptism, and christian life.
Catholics are of course held to the highest standard. Since they have and are aware of the fullness of faith, they must avail themselves of the complete christian life. We must be saints!
We pray for those who are saved outside the Church at Mass. (Mass Prayer 3 "And all who have left this world in your friendship." Eucharist Prayer 4: "who are seeking you with a sincere heart", "and all the dead whose faith is known to you alone.")
Monday, December 10, 2007
Mission, Day 1
Fr. McCaffrey is excellent. Some brief notes from his lecture.
In Heaven, we will be so close to God that we will become indistinguishable from Him. Like iron that is in the midst of a fire, it glows as bright as the fire itself. We will still be iron, but just the thought of being perfect as the Father is perfect. Oh, to be a saint and accomplish that here!
Reasoning for angels was based on the order of the universe. Material to spirit, the scale runs thusly: Mineral, Vegetable, Animal, Human(both matter and spirit), BLANK SPACE, and an uncreated Primary Mover who is pure spirit (God).
The blank space has to be pure spirit due to the scale, but was created, since there can only be one God. That is where some of the reasoning for the angels place in the universe came from.
Disobedience of Adam in the garden, on the wood of the tree, closed the Gates of Heaven.
Obediance of Jesus in a garden, and on the wood of the Cross, re-opened the Gates of Heaven.
The Pure of Heart mentioned in the Beatitutes can see God, (Matt 5:8), not just in Heaven, but in all things. They see the reality of problems, and can see the Hand of God even in times of grief and suffering.
In Heaven, we will be so close to God that we will become indistinguishable from Him. Like iron that is in the midst of a fire, it glows as bright as the fire itself. We will still be iron, but just the thought of being perfect as the Father is perfect. Oh, to be a saint and accomplish that here!
Reasoning for angels was based on the order of the universe. Material to spirit, the scale runs thusly: Mineral, Vegetable, Animal, Human(both matter and spirit), BLANK SPACE, and an uncreated Primary Mover who is pure spirit (God).
The blank space has to be pure spirit due to the scale, but was created, since there can only be one God. That is where some of the reasoning for the angels place in the universe came from.
Disobedience of Adam in the garden, on the wood of the tree, closed the Gates of Heaven.
Obediance of Jesus in a garden, and on the wood of the Cross, re-opened the Gates of Heaven.
The Pure of Heart mentioned in the Beatitutes can see God, (Matt 5:8), not just in Heaven, but in all things. They see the reality of problems, and can see the Hand of God even in times of grief and suffering.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Advent Mission
Fr. Daniel McCaffrey is lecturing during our Advent mission.
Fr. Daniel is a priest in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and is part of a ministry called NFP Outreach.
http://www.nfpoutreach.org/
Check it out. Fr. Daniel just finished teaching at a convention of all of the catholic doctors in Texas.
Fr. Daniel is a priest in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and is part of a ministry called NFP Outreach.
http://www.nfpoutreach.org/
Check it out. Fr. Daniel just finished teaching at a convention of all of the catholic doctors in Texas.
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