Skip to main content

The First Reaction

The first reaction to truth is hatred. ~Tertullian
It's amazing how much a simple statement can inspire thought and reflection. Tertullian, an ecclesiastical writer of the 1st and 2nd century, is, of course, writing about moral truths, and nothing causes man such reaction of resistance than a moral truth.

The natural human condition is one of self-indulgence. We naturally desire things that delight the senses. Only through reasoning and intellect are we able to temper these desires, a skill unique to mankind as all other creatures of the earth are driven by pure instinct. Sadly, so many ignore their consciences within and proceed to indulge in wanton fulfillment of desires in the name of freedom and rights.

God is like a parent who only wants for his children the best. He wants us to enjoy the paradise of Heaven. For the good of all mankind, he has provided us a means of living, and like children, we resist because it involves temperance of ones desires. Desires so strong that we would rather indulge rather than sacrifice.

Because of this is the condition of the world. We have no one to blame for our troubles but ourselves. Good and evil alike suffer because of those who only seek for themselves. And yet, there is much goodness in the world because God has conquered evil. From every evil deed or condition, comes good...every time.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

One Corner of the Universe

There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. ~Aldous Huxley It's so easy to see the negative in others, and I'm no exception to this rule. The last few entries deal with my view of what's wrong with the world while it would probably be more worthwhile to turn that reflection inward... Yes, I think so. I'm so wanting to control my world around me when, in fact, I'll only end up frustrated because we really only have control over one thing: our reactions/interaction to the world and people around us. A quick temper is one of my greatest flaws and the one I will address tonight. While I may be justified in feeling offended, there is no defense for the level in which I respond when angered. Sometimes my anger has been unjustified just because I have misunderstood the situation, and given my quickness to judge, I have placed myself into sticky situations in which I just look foolish. Other times my pro...

Say What, Pope Francis?

"Our Father...forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." In recent months, Pope Francis has given interviews that have stirred the emotions of the Catholic and secular world alike.   To be sure, he discussed many topics, but my focus here is his statements on sin.   I’ll admit that my initial emotional response as a traditional Catholic was one of dismay.   But that first feeling was quickly replaced with peace; I knew there was more to his statements than what I was reading. And so, even thought I didn’t need the reassurance, it was important to be informed in case I was ever given the opportunity to share Pope Francis’ message of salvation through the love, mercy, and forgiveness of our Lord. First of all, I want to address the most controversial statements right off the bat.   Yes, in the July 28, 2013 interview with reporters during his return flight from Brazil, Pope Francis did say, “If someone is gay and is searching for th...

Shake it Up

Mary Oliver : Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? This is the question I wish someone has posed to me in my 20s...so I'm posing it to you. It seems like young people today are more and more burning the candle at both ends. They're not having fun unless they're drunk or faded. They waste so much time playing relationship games instead of just being happy. Or they're only out for the thrill of hooking up. What a waste of so much energy...if only they knew how much satisfaction they would receive from being productive and helping to make this place a better world. I guess I would have to study history to get a better perspective on social trends. I only have this generation to consider. I hear there has always been vice, caprice, and wantonness rampant within the young of every generation...but it seems so bad these days. At the park I hear 6-12 year olds with filthy mouths, language people used to be ashamed to speak in public....