Comments for Catholic Quarter http://catholicquarter.com/blog Seeking to Live the Narrow Path Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:17:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Ask Us by Drew Castel http://catholicquarter.com/blog/ask-us/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 Drew Castel Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:17:53 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?page_id=398#comment-1038 Dave, I appreciate this, but Laus Deo, all praise be to God (my priest embedded this into my finite mind, praise be to God!). I do have a few nuggets of insight on contemplation, but which I have yet to compile via brainstorm pad, and much less an article. Please, keep coming back. In the mean time, feel free to keep in touch. I would strong suggest, in the mean time, to also check out anything written by any of the 3 T's (as I call them, mainly Mother Teresa, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of Aviva), St. John of the Cross. Fr. Thomas Keating, Trappist monk Thomas Merton, Fr. Groeschel, are also great modern day mystic authors. Pope John Paul II, when writing of sexuality and the theology of the body, tends to be a bit mystical as well. If you want a wide spectrum of different mystics and their writings, get your hands on Bernard McGinn's, "The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism". I have read from all these people and can wholly attest that each is an invaluable treasure to the kingdom of God. Also remember, read each mystic along with Bible, such as the Song of Songs, commonly the most inspiring book to all the mystics. Also be sure to read St. Paul's letters, for he was quite the mystic as well. Yours, Drew Castel. Dave,

I appreciate this, but Laus Deo, all praise be to God (my priest embedded this into my finite mind, praise be to God!). I do have a few nuggets of insight on contemplation, but which I have yet to compile via brainstorm pad, and much less an article. Please, keep coming back. In the mean time, feel free to keep in touch. I would strong suggest, in the mean time, to also check out anything written by any of the 3 T’s (as I call them, mainly Mother Teresa, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of Aviva), St. John of the Cross. Fr. Thomas Keating, Trappist monk Thomas Merton, Fr. Groeschel, are also great modern day mystic authors. Pope John Paul II, when writing of sexuality and the theology of the body, tends to be a bit mystical as well. If you want a wide spectrum of different mystics and their writings, get your hands on Bernard McGinn’s, “The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism”. I have read from all these people and can wholly attest that each is an invaluable treasure to the kingdom of God. Also remember, read each mystic along with Bible, such as the Song of Songs, commonly the most inspiring book to all the mystics. Also be sure to read St. Paul’s letters, for he was quite the mystic as well.

Yours,
Drew Castel.

]]> Comment on Physics: Scientific God Answering “Scientific” Atheists by Drew Castel http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2010/10/07/scientific-god-answering-scientific-atheists/comment-page-1/#comment-1037 Drew Castel Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:02:27 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=1416#comment-1037 Mankind is never himself or herself completely in one single moment. This doesn't mean that we don't retain who we are. We are ever incurring knowledge, grace, virtues, and other facets of life attainable through cognitive experience. Only one being is himself, their entire existence, in a moment; this being is God. You and I will always develop. A short example would be to say that if I were to say the word "if", the first sound of the word, "i" is proceeded by the last half of its self, the "f" sound. Although the same word, the sounds occur at two different points in time for its completion. We would not say that the word "if" does not exist because its first and last sounds occur at two different points in time, but acknowledge that it is a single word, undivided, but fully revealed in the spectrum of time. Mankind, bound in this world of time, which is only the measurement of change, is constantly retaining who he is, developed by past experiences, while acquiring new attributes and developments to his being, whether physical or of the inner person, emotion, intelligence, et cetera. We are not changing from who we are now so much as to say that we are changing, or more accurately stated, developing, much like maturing, into who we are in our entirety. We are who God created us to be, if we so choose to submit ourselves to His divine love and let Him, through our time, develop us and complete us. Jesus Christ was always the Savior, but He also loved us to show that we are born, just as He was, that we grow, and may become bearers of the life giving truth just as He did. THis isn't to say that Jesus Christ was never the same at any point, but kept His humanity, from birth, embraced all His past, such as studying in the temples at the age of 12, and commissioning Himself to fulfill who He always was. He developed, but never changed, only matured, for He retained who He always was. In short, this answer of introspection is "this is who I am right now". If this were not so, a man, or woman, would constantly change and be forever unrecognizable, much less, coherent, if there every action and being or thought were never connected. If neurons were ever fleeting, invention would be impossible for attention would be hyper deficit. Also, Jesus and the apostles always assure us to introspect, so discern within ourselves. A great verse is, " anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mt. 5:28). This is a constant assertion of the persons being whom willfully commits their self in an act of sin. This is not fleeting, it is done with the mind, and it is sustained. People should not so much say definitely, this is who I am, besides illustrating the point that the are the truest object of God's love, but say that this is who I have become. This conveys the truth that our experiences unite and give an overlay of who we are. They are not fleeting. If they are fleeting, a man could never forgive a wrongdoing of the past for his forgiveness would be foreign to any past experience if the past were fleeting. Yours, Drew Castel Mankind is never himself or herself completely in one single moment. This doesn’t mean that we don’t retain who we are.
We are ever incurring knowledge, grace, virtues, and other facets of life attainable through cognitive experience.
Only one being is himself, their entire existence, in a moment; this being is God. You and I will always develop. A short example would be to say that if I were to say the word “if”, the first sound of the word, “i” is proceeded by the last half of its self, the “f” sound. Although the same word, the sounds occur at two different points in time for its completion. We would not say that the word “if” does not exist because its first and last sounds occur at two different points in time, but acknowledge that it is a single word, undivided, but fully revealed in the spectrum of time. Mankind, bound in this world of time, which is only the measurement of change, is constantly retaining who he is, developed by past experiences, while acquiring new attributes and developments to his being, whether physical or of the inner person, emotion, intelligence, et cetera. We are not changing from who we are now so much as to say that we are changing, or more accurately stated, developing, much like maturing, into who we are in our entirety. We are who God created us to be, if we so choose to submit ourselves to His divine love and let Him, through our time, develop us and complete us. Jesus Christ was always the Savior, but He also loved us to show that we are born, just as He was, that we grow, and may become bearers of the life giving truth just as He did. THis isn’t to say that Jesus Christ was never the same at any point, but kept His humanity, from birth, embraced all His past, such as studying in the temples at the age of 12, and commissioning Himself to fulfill who He always was. He developed, but never changed, only matured, for He retained who He always was.

In short, this answer of introspection is “this is who I am right now”. If this were not so, a man, or woman, would constantly change and be forever unrecognizable, much less, coherent, if there every action and being or thought were never connected. If neurons were ever fleeting, invention would be impossible for attention would be hyper deficit. Also, Jesus and the apostles always assure us to introspect, so discern within ourselves. A great verse is, ” anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt. 5:28). This is a constant assertion of the persons being whom willfully commits their self in an act of sin. This is not fleeting, it is done with the mind, and it is sustained.

People should not so much say definitely, this is who I am, besides illustrating the point that the are the truest object of God’s love, but say that this is who I have become. This conveys the truth that our experiences unite and give an overlay of who we are. They are not fleeting. If they are fleeting, a man could never forgive a wrongdoing of the past for his forgiveness would be foreign to any past experience if the past were fleeting.

Yours,
Drew Castel

]]> Comment on Demonology & Exorcism by Drew Castel http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2011/01/25/demonology-exorcism/comment-page-1/#comment-1036 Drew Castel Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:30:14 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=1531#comment-1036 St. Paul writes this, "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels" (Hebrews 13:1-2). St. Paul is addressing mankind and spurring each one of us to love all people indiscriminately, for a stranger that we may meet may be a, literally, an angel from heaven. Yours, Drew Castel St. Paul writes this, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:1-2). St. Paul is addressing mankind and spurring each one of us to love all people indiscriminately, for a stranger that we may meet may be a, literally, an angel from heaven.

Yours,

Drew Castel

]]> Comment on How to Love Mean People by Devin Kozan http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2010/05/30/how-to-be-nice-to-mean-people/comment-page-1/#comment-1033 Devin Kozan Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:09:50 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=466#comment-1033 I like this web blog very much, Its a real nice office to read and receive info. I like this web blog very much, Its a real nice office to read and receive info.

]]> Comment on Demonology & Exorcism by Adam http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2011/01/25/demonology-exorcism/comment-page-1/#comment-1032 Adam Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:44:32 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=1531#comment-1032 Where does that quote of St. Paul come from? The one, "among us are angels we see as men, be on guard for we meet servants of the Lord." I can't seem to find it. Where does that quote of St. Paul come from? The one, “among us are angels we see as men, be on guard for we meet servants of the Lord.” I can’t seem to find it.

]]> Comment on Physics: Scientific God Answering “Scientific” Atheists by Luminaris http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2010/10/07/scientific-god-answering-scientific-atheists/comment-page-1/#comment-1028 Luminaris Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:54:40 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=1416#comment-1028 BEAUTIFUL article. The episode of the show "Curiosity", "Does God exist?", really gets punched in the mouth, and not only has its teeth knocked out, but jaw fully broken, figuratively speaking. I absolutely love this article, I'm sick of all these atheists thinking they're smarter than anyone else, and spitting in the face of God, and using disgusting vulgarity and obscenity against His followers. The only way to truly answer the burning question, I suppose, would be to experience death and experience what happens afterwards. Regarding determinism, when you look at your reflection in your mind's eye / consciousness, is that truly "how you are RIGHT NOW", or is the "true present" still nothing but a fleeting dream due to the reaction time of the synapses and neurons? BEAUTIFUL article. The episode of the show “Curiosity”, “Does God exist?”, really gets punched in the mouth, and not only has its teeth knocked out, but jaw fully broken, figuratively speaking. I absolutely love this article, I’m sick of all these atheists thinking they’re smarter than anyone else, and spitting in the face of God, and using disgusting vulgarity and obscenity against His followers. The only way to truly answer the burning question, I suppose, would be to experience death and experience what happens afterwards. Regarding determinism, when you look at your reflection in your mind’s eye / consciousness, is that truly “how you are RIGHT NOW”, or is the “true present” still nothing but a fleeting dream due to the reaction time of the synapses and neurons?

]]> Comment on The Language of Love by Drew Castel http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2011/05/02/the-language-of-love/comment-page-1/#comment-973 Drew Castel Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:39:40 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=1700#comment-973 I have heard of it, but have not read it. I will look into it. As for Scripture, I fully agree that it is God's love letter to His children. As Mother Teresa says, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Everything God does, from kinship to Scripture, is a communication of love. Laus Deo! I have heard of it, but have not read it. I will look into it. As for Scripture, I fully agree that it is God’s love letter to His children. As Mother Teresa says, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Everything God does, from kinship to Scripture, is a communication of love. Laus Deo!

]]> Comment on The Fourth Cup: Eucharist & Transubstantiation by Drew Castel http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2010/05/22/the-fourth-cup-eucharist-transubstantiation/comment-page-1/#comment-972 Drew Castel Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:36:14 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=42#comment-972 Thank you. God bless. Yours, Drew Castel. Thank you.

God bless.

Yours,
Drew Castel.

]]> Comment on Ask Us by Drew Castel http://catholicquarter.com/blog/ask-us/comment-page-1/#comment-971 Drew Castel Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:35:22 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?page_id=398#comment-971 Thank you. One of my up-coming projects will be focused on contemplation and mysticism. Yours, Drew Castel. Thank you. One of my up-coming projects will be focused on contemplation and mysticism.

Yours,
Drew Castel.

]]> Comment on The Language of Love by Melissa Chandler http://catholicquarter.com/blog/2011/05/02/the-language-of-love/comment-page-1/#comment-969 Melissa Chandler Wed, 04 May 2011 23:03:02 +0000 http://catholicquarter.com/blog/?p=1700#comment-969 I love the quote at the end there. How true! :) Have you ever heard of the Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman? You might like it. I do think though that while love is an action, that the Word of God is a love letter to us. I love the quote at the end there. How true! :) Have you ever heard of the Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman? You might like it. I do think though that while love is an action, that the Word of God is a love letter to us.

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