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December 7, 2005America as RewardI love Jay Nordlinger’s stuff at NRO, and this I especially loved: As my neighbor and his wife had to get back on the tour bus, the conversation only lasted about an hour. But just prior to taking his leave the man said to them, “In my religion we believe that how we live in this life determines what life we will lead in the next, so that our rewards are not eternal but must be deserved again and again. I believe that you must have done something extraordinary in your past lives to have been born an American in this one.” Do you feel grateful to have been born in America? Do you feel that being born an America has been a gift, whether you have deserved it or not? I wrote yesterday “gratitude is necessary in order to have the experience of joy.” When you are born to something good, and you’ve had it all your life, you sometimes forget just how unique and valuable something is. A girl born on a 60 acre estate may not appreciate how wonderful it is to have expansive space about her until she is forced to live in an 8×10 dorm room. A man who has been chased by women all his life may not understand that love and sex are gifts until he finally finds the one woman who would never debase herself by chasing him. We in America are born into something so good, we oftentimes don’t even appreciate it. We forget to say “Thank you,” for it. And when that happens, we are no longer able to take our joy in it. It’s true of Catholics, too, in a way. We’ve got the Eucharist, and between it being taught so poorly, and the “everyday” availability of it, we too often lose sight of what is before us - the tremendous gift - Christ, Present - in every time-zone, at every hour, unto the ends of the world. I am wanting to write about Advent, and things keep tripping me up, but check back, if you like. Perhaps by tonight I will be able to put it into words. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Michelle Malkin has a terrific round-up of links on it. WWII took years to fight, and many lives. And despite some of the surrender rhetoric of the left America is still willing to defend herself, and not appease what is evil. I’m grateful for it. http://theanchoressonline.com/2005/12/07/america-as-reward/trackback/ 7 Responses to “America as Reward” |
December 7th, 2005 at 2:57 pm
I certainly am. I just wish we all did a little better with the upkeep these days. I don’t know exactly where I’ll be heading next time around. But this time was certainly worth the price of admission.
-”Deserved” is not exactly the word I’d use. We are born here because we manufactured the conditions to be born here, all by ourselves. We will be born here again in the future if we manufacture the conditions for it now.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:10 pm
To be born here, or to live here, is a gift so great, so as to merit humility, as well as gratitude.
There is a reason America is still the choice of millions.
Their dreams are comprised of the life we have, and live.
December 7th, 2005 at 6:40 pm
Like our Gifts from God, it can never be earned. I am thankful everday! Merry Christmas! And God Bless America!
December 7th, 2005 at 10:27 pm
Believe me, Anchoress, I never realized how precious the Eucharist is until I came back to the Church. I’m still overwhelmed when I line up to take Communion.
Well, the Prodigal Son never knew how good he had it until he was eating pig swill. I can’t read that parable without tearing up.
December 8th, 2005 at 12:08 am
“Rewards are not eternal, they must be deserved again and again.” And our experience of Christ can be found only in the Now. We cannot eat lunch once and for all, nor can we live joyously today on some past experience. Each day brings it’s Eucharist, it’s celebration. And we, one day at a time, can reach to it. But I must do it as today’s woman, as yesterday’s woman is gone. Thus, I was and am confused about the idea of being “saved” once and for all - each day is a dance with my Creator and my fellow creations, and some days I stumble. And some days I soar.
December 8th, 2005 at 9:43 am
That was beautiful, skeeter. I know how you feel. I think God extends His hand, once for all. It’s the human weaknesses that prevent us from being strong enough to clasp His outstreached hand w/out breaking grip.
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Therefore, we have to keep struggling to hang on. If we fail, we are rest assured His hand will still be there- reaching ever for us; once, for all.
December 8th, 2005 at 10:16 am
Hi Anchoress. You were doing good until you ended with, “And despite some of the surrender rhetoric of the left America is still willing to defend herself, and not appease what is evil.” From my perspective, there is no shred of truth to it.