- Things are too good and too complicated for some "God" who loves us not to have created it.
- Reflections from Angela's group: "for thousands of years, millions of people have believed in God, then he must exist because that many people cannot be wrong. And second, many of them [the teens] said they know God to exist through experiences in Eucharistic Adoration."
- One group provided a list of reasons: "First mover, witnesses, physical evidence in nature, personal knowledge [reflection upon experiences], gut feelings, grand scheme of the physical world, miracles.
- All of nature testifies to God's existence. Whether we are looking out at a mountain, hiking through a forest, or contemplating the depth of the ocean and all that is contained within it, we realize that there must be something bigger to make something so beautiful. However, we feel that above all the greatest evidence for God lies in the complexity of the human body. The power of our brains, the perfection of our body temperature, our eyes, heart, nervous system, fingernails, and even how we blush make us marvel at how it all works. And as we stand in awe of our bodies we conclude that such detail would be IMPOSSIBLE to happen by chance. And if it didn't happen by chance, it must have happened by God (like God flipped the coin).
- It's better to believe, because if He does exist and you don't believe, the outcome will not be good. But, if you believe and He doesn't exist, you are no worse off. (Playing the odds and choosing to accept can lead to belief). This group summed up Pascal's wager.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Your Proofs
Here is my best attempt at trying to compile the list of proofs that came up during our meeting on Sunday. Not all of these would qualify as "proof." But, there are many good reflections and reasons, nonetheless.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Seek, and you will find.
Last night, some of you started this process. Some of you continued on your journey to search for meaning. Some of you are a little hesitant to begin, and that's okay, but don't wait too long.
This is a journey. It's called life.
And we're seeking meaning, understanding, purpose. In short, we're seeking Truth.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
Jesus tells us this in Matthew 7:7 to challenge us to do the work. Seeking is not easy. Asking is tough. Knocking hurts your knuckles if you're not careful. But, Christ calls us to seek.
We have begun to tackle the question, "Do you know that God exists?" I'm compiling the proofs you came up with for God's existence and will post them tomorrow. Thank you all for your honesty and for your faith.
This is a journey. It's called life.
And we're seeking meaning, understanding, purpose. In short, we're seeking Truth.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
Jesus tells us this in Matthew 7:7 to challenge us to do the work. Seeking is not easy. Asking is tough. Knocking hurts your knuckles if you're not careful. But, Christ calls us to seek.
We have begun to tackle the question, "Do you know that God exists?" I'm compiling the proofs you came up with for God's existence and will post them tomorrow. Thank you all for your honesty and for your faith.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Prove It!
Why? The real question is "why?".
Join us on Sunday night at 7pm as we begin to provide reason for an answer we so often take for granted. Why believe in God?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
What Must I Do?
World Youth Day happens every year. Often, we only hear about the international WYDs, like the most recent one that happened in Sydney, Australia. The event is international every three years, but in the years between, the youth are not forgotten. During those years, WYD happens on the diocesan level, in which some dioceses make a bigger deal of it than others. I recently stumbled across Pope Benedict's message for the youth on the occasion of WYD 2010, which apparently happened back in March (I missed that one!).
The theme for WYD 2010 was the line of the young man in Mark's gospel, who, upon meeting Christ, asks him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”. Pope Benedict's message to youth unpacks this Gospel story, which just so happens to fit nicely with our theme for the year (To Know and To Love). I encourage all of you to take some time to read and reflect upon this post, and maybe even read Pope Benedict's full message (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20100222_youth_en.html).
By the way, the Pope wears red shoes...
Okay, back on topic...Here is the Gospel story the Pope reflects upon:
“As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey” – the Gospel of Saint Mark tells us – “a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honour your father and your mother.’ He replied and said to him, ‘Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth’. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me’. At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (Mk 10: 17-22).
This story hits the highs and lows, right? The young man is like, "Dude, I do all of this stuff! Isn't that great!" That is definitely a high. But, Christ calls him to something more. He calls the man to live his life as a unity. Christ challenges the man to follow him entirely, not just in certain areas, or compartments of his life. This would appear to be the low point of the story that leaves us depressed and hopeless that we could ever live this life. "But not so!" says the good Pope, upon further reflection. Check out what Pope Benedict has to say about this:
"Christ interrupted his journey to stop and answer the young man’s question. He gave his full attention to this youth who was moved with an ardent desire to speak to the “good Teacher” and to learn from him how to journey through life."
What an excellent starting point. Instead of feeling down about this interaction, let's look at what actually transpired. As the young man approaches, Jesus stops and focuses His entire attention upon him. What a phenomenal example to us, who often think that our concerns are too petty to be brought to the feet of Jesus.
Pope Benedict goes on to point out some very curious words from the passage, "In his Gospel account, Saint Mark emphasizes that 'Jesus, looking at him, loved him' (Mk 10: 21). The Lord’s gaze is at the heart of this very special encounter and the whole Christian experience. To be sure, Christianity is not primarily a moral code. It is an experience of Jesus Christ who loves each of us personally, young and old, poor and rich. He loves us even when we turn away from him."
Herein lies the key for understanding this passage. Jesus wants more than my upholding of the moral code, more than my fear of breaking the moral code, he wants more than my correct answer. He wants me, my heart, completely and without reservation. He wants me not just on Sunday nights at Youth Group, or in religion class at school, but in every area of my life, at all times.
The encounter with Christ is an event that, if truly an event, is meant to be lived.
Benedict furthers this by saying, "In this love we find the source of all Christian life and the basic reason for evangelization: if we have really encountered Jesus, we cannot help but bear witness to him before those who have not yet met his gaze!"
May we all find strength in these words to live the challenge of the Christian life.
I promised a drawing for 2 Graeter's gift cards on Friday. Everyone who is a follower has been entered. Those of you who posted a comment have a second entry....and the winners are: Paul & Mary Schneider, and Alex Parra! I'll get you the gift cards on Sunday.
The theme for WYD 2010 was the line of the young man in Mark's gospel, who, upon meeting Christ, asks him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”. Pope Benedict's message to youth unpacks this Gospel story, which just so happens to fit nicely with our theme for the year (To Know and To Love). I encourage all of you to take some time to read and reflect upon this post, and maybe even read Pope Benedict's full message (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20100222_youth_en.html).
By the way, the Pope wears red shoes...
Okay, back on topic...Here is the Gospel story the Pope reflects upon:
“As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey” – the Gospel of Saint Mark tells us – “a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honour your father and your mother.’ He replied and said to him, ‘Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth’. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me’. At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (Mk 10: 17-22).
This story hits the highs and lows, right? The young man is like, "Dude, I do all of this stuff! Isn't that great!" That is definitely a high. But, Christ calls him to something more. He calls the man to live his life as a unity. Christ challenges the man to follow him entirely, not just in certain areas, or compartments of his life. This would appear to be the low point of the story that leaves us depressed and hopeless that we could ever live this life. "But not so!" says the good Pope, upon further reflection. Check out what Pope Benedict has to say about this:
"Christ interrupted his journey to stop and answer the young man’s question. He gave his full attention to this youth who was moved with an ardent desire to speak to the “good Teacher” and to learn from him how to journey through life."
What an excellent starting point. Instead of feeling down about this interaction, let's look at what actually transpired. As the young man approaches, Jesus stops and focuses His entire attention upon him. What a phenomenal example to us, who often think that our concerns are too petty to be brought to the feet of Jesus.
Pope Benedict goes on to point out some very curious words from the passage, "In his Gospel account, Saint Mark emphasizes that 'Jesus, looking at him, loved him' (Mk 10: 21). The Lord’s gaze is at the heart of this very special encounter and the whole Christian experience. To be sure, Christianity is not primarily a moral code. It is an experience of Jesus Christ who loves each of us personally, young and old, poor and rich. He loves us even when we turn away from him."
Herein lies the key for understanding this passage. Jesus wants more than my upholding of the moral code, more than my fear of breaking the moral code, he wants more than my correct answer. He wants me, my heart, completely and without reservation. He wants me not just on Sunday nights at Youth Group, or in religion class at school, but in every area of my life, at all times.
The encounter with Christ is an event that, if truly an event, is meant to be lived.
Benedict furthers this by saying, "In this love we find the source of all Christian life and the basic reason for evangelization: if we have really encountered Jesus, we cannot help but bear witness to him before those who have not yet met his gaze!"
May we all find strength in these words to live the challenge of the Christian life.
I promised a drawing for 2 Graeter's gift cards on Friday. Everyone who is a follower has been entered. Those of you who posted a comment have a second entry....and the winners are: Paul & Mary Schneider, and Alex Parra! I'll get you the gift cards on Sunday.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Draw!
It's time to kick the blog into high gear so we can begin to get some discussion threads going. I'm willing to bribe.
So, if you currently follow the blog, you'll be entered into a drawing for Graeter's gift cards.
If you don't follow, but become a follower, I'll enter you into the drawing.
Plus, for every comment you post below (within reason) answering the question "What is your favorite type/brand of ice cream?" I will enter your name into the drawing.
So, become a follower, you're in. Then post a comment, and you're entered again.
I will post again on Tuesday morning with the winners of the gift cards...so you have between now and then to follow and post. If you're confused about how to follow, or what that means, you can check out http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=104226.
Remember, no Youth Ministry this weekend...enjoy your holiday!
So, if you currently follow the blog, you'll be entered into a drawing for Graeter's gift cards.
If you don't follow, but become a follower, I'll enter you into the drawing.
Plus, for every comment you post below (within reason) answering the question "What is your favorite type/brand of ice cream?" I will enter your name into the drawing.
So, become a follower, you're in. Then post a comment, and you're entered again.
I will post again on Tuesday morning with the winners of the gift cards...so you have between now and then to follow and post. If you're confused about how to follow, or what that means, you can check out http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=104226.
Remember, no Youth Ministry this weekend...enjoy your holiday!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Toward the Heights
“To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing.”
Far too often I fall into the trap of merely existing. I trudge through the day, through my work, just doing enough to stay afloat. There is often no vivacity, no struggle on my part for something more. And the entire problem is me. I am not fighting for Something, Someone, greater than myself. I am not straining, willing to risk everything, to pursue Truth. I settle for mediocrity.
On a rare occasion, maybe you've felt this way too, I feel alive. It's like a little taste of the way I long to live my life...fully alive. But in reality, it's a compartment. I feel alive in this one compartment, maybe when I pray, maybe when I play sports, but this vivacity doesn't penetrate all of my daily activities.
“The faith given to me in baptism suggests to me surely: by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the center of all your action, then you will reach the goal.”
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati has become a model for me, a saint I can relate to in almost every area of my life. His words here, beckon me to pursue the one Person who can awaken every aspect of my life. If I come to know Christ, if I encounter him (or maybe better said, "am open to encountering him"), I can't help but be changed. If I come to know Christ and He becomes my core, my desire for "having life to the full," will be satisfied.
If you don't know much about Bl. Pier Giorgio, I encourage you to read up on him. He is a patron of youth and a Third Order Dominican (which is why his pics are plastered all over the wall in the school cafeteria). He is known as the "ordinary Christian" who lived all aspects of his life with courage. You can check out this bio on the Third Order website http://www.3op.org/frassati.php.
This pic of Pier Giorgio has the words, "Verso l'alto" scribbled on it. He wrote this phrase, which translates to, "Toward the Heights," on the picture near the end of his short life. It is a reminder to us that as we struggle to climb the mountains in our daily life, our hope comes from the Lord, who gazes upon us and draws our gaze upward to Him...if we are open.
Far too often I fall into the trap of merely existing. I trudge through the day, through my work, just doing enough to stay afloat. There is often no vivacity, no struggle on my part for something more. And the entire problem is me. I am not fighting for Something, Someone, greater than myself. I am not straining, willing to risk everything, to pursue Truth. I settle for mediocrity.
On a rare occasion, maybe you've felt this way too, I feel alive. It's like a little taste of the way I long to live my life...fully alive. But in reality, it's a compartment. I feel alive in this one compartment, maybe when I pray, maybe when I play sports, but this vivacity doesn't penetrate all of my daily activities.
“The faith given to me in baptism suggests to me surely: by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the center of all your action, then you will reach the goal.”
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati has become a model for me, a saint I can relate to in almost every area of my life. His words here, beckon me to pursue the one Person who can awaken every aspect of my life. If I come to know Christ, if I encounter him (or maybe better said, "am open to encountering him"), I can't help but be changed. If I come to know Christ and He becomes my core, my desire for "having life to the full," will be satisfied.
If you don't know much about Bl. Pier Giorgio, I encourage you to read up on him. He is a patron of youth and a Third Order Dominican (which is why his pics are plastered all over the wall in the school cafeteria). He is known as the "ordinary Christian" who lived all aspects of his life with courage. You can check out this bio on the Third Order website http://www.3op.org/frassati.php.
This pic of Pier Giorgio has the words, "Verso l'alto" scribbled on it. He wrote this phrase, which translates to, "Toward the Heights," on the picture near the end of his short life. It is a reminder to us that as we struggle to climb the mountains in our daily life, our hope comes from the Lord, who gazes upon us and draws our gaze upward to Him...if we are open.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Deep Breath
Is it possible for Kickoff to not be crazy?
Doubtful.
It came and went last night with a blaze of fury. The teens were amped, the Core Team was ready to go. Dora made her famed appearance. In watching the skit last night, I really felt as if I watched an entire Dora episode...and the AdBoard performed the skit in about five minutes. It must be my advanced intellect (compared with a five-year-old) that allows me to understand a full episode in under five minutes.
I mean, the map song on the show takes about as long as the skit took last night.
Here's Brian Regan's commentary on the "Map Song."
Sorry if you missed the skit. If you've come this far, you may feel as if you watched it!
Kickoff went smoothly overall. I shared a story about growing up in a small town; ask someone who was at Kickoff to share details if you're interested. By the way, cow tipping is a legend...check wikipedia. I did find this humorous video on Youtube though...
The ninja playground battle was epic. Again, I wish we had it on tape. Maybe we'll have to have another ultimate ninja tournament so we can film it for promotional purposes!
I leave you with some photos from the evening's activities (you can check out more pics on our Facebook page).
Doubtful.
It came and went last night with a blaze of fury. The teens were amped, the Core Team was ready to go. Dora made her famed appearance. In watching the skit last night, I really felt as if I watched an entire Dora episode...and the AdBoard performed the skit in about five minutes. It must be my advanced intellect (compared with a five-year-old) that allows me to understand a full episode in under five minutes.
I mean, the map song on the show takes about as long as the skit took last night.
Here's Brian Regan's commentary on the "Map Song."
| Jokes.com | ||||
| Brian Regan - Dora the Explorer | ||||
| ||||
Sorry if you missed the skit. If you've come this far, you may feel as if you watched it!
Kickoff went smoothly overall. I shared a story about growing up in a small town; ask someone who was at Kickoff to share details if you're interested. By the way, cow tipping is a legend...check wikipedia. I did find this humorous video on Youtube though...
The ninja playground battle was epic. Again, I wish we had it on tape. Maybe we'll have to have another ultimate ninja tournament so we can film it for promotional purposes!
I leave you with some photos from the evening's activities (you can check out more pics on our Facebook page).
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