Snippet of Reflection

We had a substitute today in my Theology of Christ class today as we discussed the preliminaries to the study of Christ (namely, man's created state, original sin, the fall, the unity of the soul and body in the human person).  This was all very interesting.
The professor discussed the importance of understanding the human person as an end within itself, not a means to an end.  The human person has this dignity because of the unity of soul and body that is the person.  This unity is part of our being made in God's image.  Our ability to reason is rooted in this, and our dignity is rooted in our ability to reason.  In this discussion, he mentioned the passage from Genesis in which God says:
"It is not good that the man should be alone.  I shall make for him a suitable partner."  
God proceeds to make the many creatures that dwell on the earth, and He brings all of them to Adam to receive their names from Him.  This shows the character and dignity of man above creatures: that Adam gives the creatures their names shows that the creatures have been made differently than Adam, that they are subordinate to him; not in the sense that he may do anything he pleases to them, but that he is their steward, and that he is made in God's image: having authority over created matter that has not been made in the image and the likeness of God.  Of course, God is present in all of His creation in a special way: all of creation proclaims His glory simply by being what it is, and His beauty is reflected in the organization and wonder of creation.
The passage from Genesis goes on to say that Adam (and God) found no suitable partner for Adam among the creatures.
When my professor mentioned this, I suddenly had a new understanding of the meaning behind this passage.  Adam found no suitable partner among the creatures.  So, I wondered, then why would God bring all of them before Adam?  Then it hit me.  God's intention was to show man that none of these created beasts were the suitable partner for him to cherish, love, and give himself to.  God proceeded to create the first woman, Eve, from Adam's rib.  Adam sees her for the first time, and what does he say?  "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh."  He recognizes her as the suitable partner for him, the one that God intended for Adam to be united with in love and to wed, giving himself to her, and receiving her gift of self to him.  Eve, too, is above all the other creatures because God has made her in His image and likeness, as He made Adam: with a body and a soul, with the ability to reason, with dignity.  She, too, exists, not as a means, but as an end: an end in herself.  She is not something to be used; nor is Adam.  Both are persons to be pursued, loved, and cared for.  They are made for each other.  God did not make the animals for Adam's partner, nor did he make another man.  He made a woman, one who would complement him, love him, learn from him, teach him, and more.

I've seen this quote a number of times on Facebook, and someone shared it in my English class once, too.  I really like it, as it illustrates very well the proper attitude that should exist between husband and wife:

“Woman was created from the rib of man to be beside him, not from his head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from under his arm to be protected by him, and near to his heart to be loved by him.”

(The quote is credited to David O. McKay.  I made a few edits, though, to the one I found online so that it was more like what I had originally heard.)

To read more about the mystery of man and woman and how they have been created for each other, you can read Blessed Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body," or reflections and commentaries therein.  

God bless! and thanks for reading.

Return of the College Studies

Good (early early) morning!

In case you couldn't judge by the time that I'm posting this, I am back at college!!  Back to late nights studying.  Well, most of the time I'm up late it's because I'm studying.  Not tonight, though. Heh heh.
It's been a very good first two weeks.  Moving into my dorm went well, and I have had a chance to decorate a little.  I may still do some more horse pictures on the wall, or I may just have to sit down and draw someday and put some of my own artwork up there.   I'm in a new hall this year, so first day was kind of like being a freshman again because I didn't see a lot of familiar faces right off the bat.  But it's been good to reconnect with friends and spend time with people I haven't seen in a while.
My classes are going very well so far.  Spanish is...Spanish.  Nothing really new or exciting there.  But it's good.  Catechetics is awesome!  I am enjoying the class (and the professor) very much so far.  Plus, I get to read a kid's "adventure catechism" called St. Patrick's Summer.  It's a pretty awesome book!  And I just enjoy reading a children's catechism for a college class. :)  Haha!  Adolescent Psychology looks to be interesting.  I'm enjoying what I'm learning, and I think it will be very helpful, as I intend to do youth ministry (God-willing) after I graduate.  (I just hope the blasted free loose leaf edition of the professor's book that I ordered comes in the mail this week as it should have already been here. :P ) I also get to take a class in Youth Ministry this semester, which I really like, too!  The professor for that class has done years of ministry, so very often his lectures seem like an inspirational talk, and it's all about doing ministry and doing it well, so it's exciting, and fun. :)  My fifth class is Theology of Christ, which was an adventure and act of God to get into the section I'm in now, and is also going very well.  I really like the professor for this class as well as he is very good about acknowledging students' questions and comments, and doesn't throw out anything that a student says in the class.  He's always very positive and encouraging toward his students, and so intelligent.  All in all, I think I'm going to be learning a lot this semester, and I'm excited!  I'm also singing in the university's chorus (Chorale).

Though the semester got off to a rocky start, it has been incredibly blessed.  I was able to see my immediate and extended family the first weekend.  Though the circumstances, sadly, were not joyful, it was really good to see everyone, and we all had a good time together.  Sunday we had a grand adventure as we traveled out to a German Festival.  I bought myself a German hat for my trip to Austria next semester.  During the festival, it poured down rain, and after the rain subsided, we tried to drive out of the parking field in the 15 passenger van that my uncle was driving.  ...We got stuck.  Big time.  The field was super muddy.  So, my cousins, brothers, and uncle all came to the rescue and helped us push and rock the van out of the mud.  They also assisted several other cars and vehicles experiencing the same problem.  "A bunch of Good Samaritans," as my uncle called them with a smile.  It was an adventure!  And we were all laughing during and after it.  God is good!

This week I've been able to enjoy some great quality time with friends, as well.  It means so much to me to be able to talk to some of my friends about my spiritual life, and to hear about theirs too.  As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to have this communion among us, and it's always a great feeling to know, not only that someone cares about you, but that they're really listening to you and want to help.  I also got to see some good friends this weekend whom I haven't seen in a while, and got to travel out to one of my second homes (Catholic Familyland) twice this weekend: once to hang out with friends and have a bonfire, and the second to celebrate the life commitment of one of the lay consecrated women at the Apostolate.  :)  The latter was especially beautiful, as, not only was it wonderful to see this bride of Christ so faithful and happy, but our Lord opened my eyes again to His beauty, glory, and love, and gave me such clarity on something I was praying about.  He touched my heart, as well, and opened me up to discerning my vocation more perfectly and more peacefully.  It was truly wonderful.

Through all the struggles and pain, God is always good, and there is always something to be thankful for.  Blessed and happy Sunday to you all!

"My home is by your altars, Lord of hosts, my king and my God!  Blessed are those who dwell in your house!  They never cease to praise you."  -Psalm 84