Laziness

Laziness is a common problem, especially for grad students. There are other things a busy college student would rather do than hit the books, one of which is nothing at all. We wait to do assignments until the last minute (or even after they're due) not because we have something better to do, but because we simply do not feel like doing them.

As a Sophomore with severe Sophomore-itis and with a theology teacher who has not come to class in a week and probably will not be coming back too soon, I can relate. This blog post was technically supposed to be done sometime the previous week. Each night however, I had an excuse to put it off. All the weeknights leading up to Sunday- "I can just get it done on Sunday." Sunday night- "I'll just watch the Rockets game." Yesterday- "I have a golf banquet." Finally, about an hour before I usually retire for the night, I have decided to get it done.

So what would the Catholic Church teach about such laziness? Laziness is a consequence of Original Sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, concupiscence entered the human race. Concupiscence is the tendency of man towards sin, after the Fall. This tendency is not washed away at Baptism, and must be battled constantly by a Christian in their everyday lives. It is this tendency that tempts me and other students from doing our assignments on time, rationalizing our evasive actions all the while (making excuses).

On another note, being lazy is not doing what God has called us to do. Currently, God is calling us to be good students. Putting off assignments and procrastinating is doing exactly the opposite: it is searching for loopholes and "the easy way out" to God's call.

Whatever actions/positions God calls you to, fulfill such obligations with all of your will. God calls us to be the best we can be, not an ok, slacking individual. Laziness is merely a symptom of someone not fulfilling their true potential as determined by God.

I now feel doubly obligated to get my blog posts in on time as if I do not this post would become atrociously hypocritical.
-Shoe

Lukewarmness

A wise Asian man in a movie once said: "Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later get squish just like grape." 

In many instances, ESPECIALLY when it comes to religion, you have to pick a side. Hanging around in the middle not only doesn't accomplish anything for yourself, but it only makes things worse. This hanging around in the middle is known as lukewarmness.

This is a topic that really hits home, as a Luke myself. Lukewarmness is essentially settling for mediocrity. It's saying "I'm good right here" and not striving for anything more. As it pertains to the Church, lukewarmness is manifested in the baptized Christians who only go to Church on Christmas and Easter (CEOs as my pastor calls them). People who say they believe in God and Jesus as our Savior but don't really do anything about it-those are the lukewarm. And this is just as bad as atheism/agnosticsm.

Think of it this way. You're walking along a road. On one side of the road is a field where you are safe. On the other side is a cliff where obviously you could fall. But in the middle of the road are cars travelling seventy five miles per hour that are sure to squash you like a grape. On the field side you are definitely safe, on the cliff side you could still save yourself, but in the middle you are sure to be run over by an 18-wheeler that's absolutely hauling.

Even if you choose a different religion or no religion at all, at least you are thinking about it. At least you are trying to understand God and your faith. The worst thing you could do is not care, because then you are sure to suffer (and be on the news for a pretty horrific car accident).

In Rev. 3:16 Jesus talks about lukewarmness also. "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." 

Mr. Miyagi and Jesus are clearly on the same page. 
-Shoe

The Church is Apostolic

The last of the four marks of the Church is Apostolic. Theologically, this mark is extremely significant. As a grad student trying to discern your religion, you need to know for sure that the Church you put your faith in truly is the Church. Through the Church's Apostolic nature, we are certain the Catholic Church is the Church Jesus instituted. 

We can say that the Church is Apostolic in several ways. The Church was founded by the Apostles and continues to teach through the Apostles. However, the reason in my opinion this mark is so important is due to Apostolic Succession. The Church has held and continues to hold Apostolic Succession today. Each bishop can trace his office back to one of the original twelve Apostles, which is truly amazing. This is extremely important for our Faith. We know for certain that the authority of the Church comes directly from the Apostles, rather than being arbitrarily created by mere men sometime in the last two thousand years. 

The Catholic Church is the sole Church of Christ, and Apostolic Succession ensures us of this. Other Christian churches simply cannot claim to be Christ's Church, as only the Catholic Church was founded upon the Apostles. This is key in giving the Church legitimacy as well as affirming to grads such as you that she is the true Church.

-Shoe