Welcome to the Digital Age

Yes, finally, the Digital Age is ushered in on the Afra family. We now have a digital camera: a nifty little 6MP Olympus.

I got my Flickr account working. You can find it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kafra/

For those of you who don't know about Flickr (I assume 95% of you), it's a really cool, easy to use, online photo directory. It has a nice program that I've downloaded, it lets me upload batches of photos to custom photo sets; and I can add descriptions right here on my computer. Then all I need to do is click the little 'Upload' button, and it's all done. Easy to use, organized, free - cool.

/freeadvertisingoff

Have a great New Years Eve everyone,
Kev

Quoteworthy - Waiterrant

I was reading through Waiterrant's post about his parking encounter with two senior ladies. He says a few things about character and virtue that I think are worth quoting:


"Dad always said virtue is its own reward."


"Suddenly I remember what my old sociology professor once taught me, 'A value doesn't become a value until you suffer for it.' He wasn't kidding."


"Now, you might think I'm being vain glorious here. You might say that people suffer, really suffer, for values everyday. Think of human rights activists imprisoned in Burma, soldiers fighting in Iraq, hunger strikers starving to protest governmental oppression. Those people are really suffering for a value.

But most of us aren't peace activists, soldiers, or revolutionaries. We're just well fed people trying to stumble through life the best we can. It’s in the little struggles, like giving up your seat on the subway, writing a check to the Salvation Army instead of buying a gadget you don't need, or biting your tongue when a friend says something stupid, that we suffer for values everyday. Character is forged in the smallest of struggles. Then, when the big challenges come, we're ready. Or so I like to tell myself."

(italics are mine)


Cheers,
Kev

Do you have your towel?

Free tix.

Deafening chant Go Finland, Go.

Ear shattering Boo! to team USA.

Finland - great start.

USA - great finish.

Bloody yanks won.

Oh well, I got another towel to add to my collection.

Ford Prefect would be proud of me.

-Kev

P5hng Me A*wy

When I look into your eyes there’s nothing there to see
Nothing but my own mistakes staring back at me

I’ve lied to you
This is the last smile that I’ll fake for the sake of being with you
Everything falls apart
Even the people who never frown eventually break down
Everything has to end
You’ll soon find we’re out of time left to watch it all unwind
Everything falls apart
Even the people who never frown eventually break down

The sacrifice is never knowing...

Why I stay when you just push away
No matter what you see you’re still so blind to me

I’ve tried, like you, to do everything you wanted to
This is the last time
That I’ll take the blame for the sake of being with you
Everything falls apart
Even the people who never frown eventually break down
The sacrifice of hiding in a lie
Everything has to end
You’ll soon find we’re out of time left to watch it all unwind

The sacrifice is never knowing...

Why I stay when you just push away
No matter what you see you’re still so blind to me

Reverse psychology is failing miserably
It’s so hard to be left all alone
Telling you is the only chance for me
There is nothing left but to turn and face you

When I look into your eyes there’s nothing there to see
Nothing but my own mistakes staring back at me
Asking why
The sacrifice of hiding in a lie

The sacrifice is never knowing...

Why I stay when you just push away
No matter what you see you’re still so blind to me

- Linkin Park, "P5hng Me A*wy"

Christmas Eve Mass

Oh yes, merry Christmas to all. A little late, but hey, Christmas day was busy - no time to blog.

I did things a bit different this year: for Christmas Eve I went to the midnight mass at Christ Church Cathedral, which is an Anglican church. It was amazing. A few of my reflections on that night:

- The cathedral itself, in its architecture and interior design, really made you think you've entered sacred space. Everything was so beautiful, so grand, so detailed. It's not like covering stained glass with shades, ahem ahem.
- The choir and musicians were out of sight. They were elevated one level up at the back of the sanctuary. The very placement of those leading the music was a wonderful reminder of what role music plays in worship and assembly.
- The choir/music was beautiful. I don't think I have heard anything so beautiful live before. Again, it stirs forth the sense of sacred presence.
- I really enjoyed the liturgy. It made me an equal participant in the whole worship service, instead of a (mostly) passive recipient.
- They did not fear the use of physical object and icons in the worship, as if objects/icons are inherently evil in themselves. So stuff like incense, chalices, bowls, robes, hats, candles, a bunch of stuff like that were incorporated and used in the service. In my mind, this recognizes the beauty and full validity of the physical world...as if everything were about the spiritual world alone!
- The prayers for the people. This part of the liturgy the church prayed for all sorts of people. Moving in circles further and further out from the church, we were led in prayer. Friends and family; politicians; police and health care professionals working during Christmas; those away from home during Christmas; our soldiers over seas; people recovering from natural disasters. Here was a church that realized it was part of a much bigger world.
- It was pretty cool being served communion by the Bishop himself. I don't have a reason really, it was just cool. Oh, and real wine and real bread is, well, better.
- The sermon was powerful. I haven't had a sermon touch heart and head in that way for quite a while now. But then again, I was one of the younger people in the crowd of 600ish, so the target audience was adults. Maybe that explains it.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. I'm glad I went, even though I went alone. Of course, that worked out well since I got the third to last seat in the house - there were only single seats left by the time I arrived.

I have been to liturgical services before and have enjoyed them, this one was awesome as well. I do think I'll be going back again in the future.

Who knows, maybe Easter?

Cheers,
Kev

Acquainted with the Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain--and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-by;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

- Robert Frost, 1928

Happy winter solstice. Enjoy the darkest time of the year.

Four Noble Truths: Buddha and Jesus

The Four Noble Truths:

1. Buddha says: Life is suffering.

Jesus says: You will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

(Paul says: For the creation was subjected to futility...we know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves.)

2. Buddha says: The cause of suffering is craving and attachment.

Jesus says: Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

3. Buddha says: The end of suffering is getting rid of craving and grasping.

Jesus says: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the good news, will save it.

4. Buddha says: The path towards overcoming suffering is the Eightfold Path.
(Right view, right aim, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration)

Jesus says: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the low and the prophets.
Jesus says: Don't be angry with a brother or sister...Don't look upon a woman with lust...Don't divorce without grounds...Let your word be 'Yes', 'Yes' or 'No', 'No'...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

I have not tried to prove that Siddhartha and Jesus said the same thing, or that the religions that sprang up from them said the same thing. My aim has been to merely show that both individuals dealt with the same major issues of human existence. And their responses, though unique and different, share some eerie similarities.

Cheers,
Kev

Can't Nail Me Down

The thing I love about symbols is that they can't be nailed down to one-and-only-one meaning. The same goes for rituals. (Where 'symbol' ends and 'ritual' begins, who can say; I think they overlap).

I realized this today during the celebration of communion.

What might communion mean to the others standing with me:

- I celebrate because Jesus died for my sins: he shed his blood so that I might be forgiven and be accepted before God.
- I celebrate a meal of fellowship: everyone who stands with me now is my brother and sister, someway, somehow. Through all time and in all places, everyone in history who has ever gathered at the communion table is family.
- I celebrate for hope: everytime I eat the bread and drink the wine I remember the Lord's death until he comes. I celebrate in hope for a transformed world, a transformed me.
- I celebrate for deliverance: just as the Israelites celebrated their exodus--their deliverance from oppression and bondage--with the Passover meal, so I to celebrate my deliverance from the powers (political, social, religious, psychological, spiritual, etc...) that try to oppress and control me.
- I celebrate to encounter God: as a sacrament, the bread and wine in a physical and tangible way mediate the grace and love of God to me. As I eat and drink, I encounter the loving presence of God with me.
- I celebrate for healing: as someone broken and hurt, I celebrate with the one who's body was also broken; I stand unified to the man--God's viceroy--who suffered, and was raised complete - without suffering. I am at one with the divine love that gives grace to the suffering.

And, as I'm sure, many more options as well.

I have experienced a bit of all of those at different times. One communion may have one meaning vivid in my mind and heart, the next month may have a complete different one. Or perhaps two meanings are most vivid. Rarely more - never all.

That is the beautiful thing about 'symbolic rituals' (now there's your synthesis!). They just plain refuse to be nailed down. It's going to mean different things to different people at different times. Of course, the official church version seems to be the first (and often only the first) meaning. I think this is an unfortunate reality in our church. I wish that we would explore and articulate all the rich meanings of the eucharist. And we should celebrate the fact that one (relatively) simple ritual has such depth, such power.

It's a symbol that just can't be nailed down.

All pun intended.

Cheers,
Kev

That Feeling Again

Not this again.

I hate this feeling.

I've been through this before. I thought I was past it. I thought I wouldn't have to go through it again.

It's that feeling that everything is bound to crumble. Everything I am, everything I do, all my goals and aspirations, all my plans, everything will just collapse into a smoldering heap.

I hate this feeling.

Not just that, but it's the feeling that I'm bound to be a loser in life. And I don't mean 'dork', I am a dork already - that's pretty obvious. It isn't an issue with self image before others, not that kind of loser. I mean a feeling that every time I'm going to 'shoot for the stars' I'm destined to fail. That kind of loser. A person who 'loses' out in life.

Fuck.

Make it go away.

What more can I do but thank God for every day I have: every day I'm allowed to enjoy this incredibly blessed life of mine.

But still, it's a horrible feeling, this pessimism.

Make it go away.

An Idea for Christmas

I was browsing through the blogosphere today and I found myself on The Homeless Guy's blog. If you haven't read this guy's blog, it's awesome. He is an ex-homeless man who started blogging years ago about his homeless experience. I rather like his site because it comes from someone who has 'been there' - really, truly experienced it. There is rarely a better source of wisdom and information to clear out misconceptions.

Anyways, I came across his post on Christmas goodie bags. Go! Read it! The moment I read it I realized that not only is this an excellent idea, but it is actually feasible. What you do is take a small paper bag and put in a bunch of stuff, which to us who are fortunately seems rather insignificant, that is greatly appreciated by the homeless. Then you head off to somewhere that the homeless congregate and hand them out.

It seems like a marvelous idea, a great way to actually show a little compassion this Christmas season. And so I ask: would anyone like to join us (me and Eug so far) in doing this? If you are seriously interested, let us know. The more people we get, the more bags we can hand out, and the more we can put into the bags.

Cheers,
Kev

Done. What's up next?

Yes, I have finished all my finals - both of em =]. Christmas break, you may now begin.

My last post on gifts and Christmas sure brought on some nice responses - both in person and via comments. The discussions have been fruitful, and my thoughts have been further revised (that's what it's all about after all, isn't it!). I plan on blogging a second installment with some responses and further reflections. Thanks to all who piped in as a result of my post, your responses are greatly appreciated.

Also, I have finished The Heart of Christianity. I plan on posting a review soon with a short summary and some of my reflections.

But first. My brain needs a break.

Regularly scheduled blogging will return soon.

Cheers,
Kev

Christmas? Gifts?

Hum.

I don't seem to recall Jesus ever giving gifts and presents to people.

Of course not, the guy was a poor peasant.

What did he give? Something worth much more than any material gift: compassion...care...attention.

So why is it that for one month we fuss so much about 'what to get *insert name here*'? Are we trying to avoid giving them what really matters? Are we trying to avoid actually involving ourselves in the lives of others around us? In celebrating 'Jesus' are we just avoiding everything his life stood for?

"Here, have a gift. Really, I do care about you."

Sure. As if all I needed in life were another iPod, or a nice hat.

-Kev

Book Preview - The Heart of Christianity

I picked up a book from the library today that is turning into an awesome read. (Yes, I do read things for personal enjoyment and reflection during the holidays; what better time?) I picked up a book by Marcus J. Borg called The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith. I have read through the first chapter so far, and I'm hooked. I've heard of Borg from my reading of Historical Jesus scholarship. He has written a fair bit on Jesus, and he is a big name aligned with the 'Jesus Seminar'.

This book is all about two different answers to the question 'What is at the heart of Christianity?'. The first he labels as the 'earlier paradigm': it is the majority approach to Christianity in the West, and it has been since the 1600s. The second he labels the 'emerging paradigm': this is a minority approach which has grown up in the past hundred or so years. He summarizes:

The Bible's Origin:
Earlier Paradigm - a divine product with divine authority
Emerging Paradigm - a human response to God

Biblical Interpretation:
Earlier Paradigm - literal-factual (truth based on literal, factual meaning)
Emerging Paradigm - historical and metaphorical (historical context of texts and metaphorical meaning)

Bible's Function:
Earlier Paradigm - revelation of doctrine and morals
Emerging Paradigm - metaphorical and sacramental (a visible vehicle of divine grace)

Christian Life Emphasis:
Earlier Paradigm - afterlife and what to believe/do to be saved
Emerging Paradigm - transformation in this life through relationship with God

And a side note - Emerging Christianity is pluralistic: it sees Christianity as one of many responses to the Divine; however, the distinctiveness and particularity of Christianity is not suppressed.

I finally have words to put on the very thing that I myself have come to see over the past year or two. Two years ago I was fully in the 'earlier paradigm' camp. Now, I find myself very much in the 'emerging paradigm' camp. And looking over the trajectory of my life this past year, I have a feeling the emerging camp is where I'll set up shop and make my home for life.

I'm curious to see what Borg has to say about all the various central elements of Christian faith, and how one particular person (Borg) approaches them from within the emerging paradigm.

It's an exciting read.

I plan on posting an in depth review once I finish the book.

As the old liturgy goes: the Lord be with you.
Kev

The Joy of Translation

There is a particular joy to translation. It is a wonderful experience to translate an ancient text, in an ancient language, into English. You won't really understand exactly what it feels like unless you've actually done it. There is an incredible sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. This is all the more so when you're translating texts that have a great value to you. In my case, the New Testament.

The thing about translation is that it is a slow process. The pace forces you to look at every word, every construction. It forces you to really--truly--read the text. When you spend an hour on a single paragraph, every word has so much power - so much meaning. All of this is lost when you're speed reading through an NIV Bible. I say again: there is a particular joy to translation.

But, alas, reading closely a text with deep meaning has it's own set of challenges. Try spending hours upon hours translating the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5ff.). Try to work your way through the radical way of life that Jesus proposes, every sentence pounding away at you. Just try, I dare you. See how far you get before the you can't bear your own shortcomings any longer; see if you can even make it to: therefore you shall be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.

Yes, there is a particular joy to translation.

And, to steal a metaphor, it is double sided.

Grace and peace to you all. It's a rough time of the year,
Kev

Pleasant Surprise

So I'm probably not going bald after all.

I was always under the impression that I would have a big shiny bald spot within a few years. But I have just learned of some wonderful genetic information which tells otherwise:

- Yes, my dad did start balding by the end of his 20s
But...
- My grandpa (mom's dad) had a full head of hair till his 50s
- My great grandpa (dad's grandpa) died at 62 with a full head of hair
- My uncle (dad's brother) has a full head of hair, and he is ~60.
- My brother still has a full head of hair, and he is ~30.

So, I may not be a young balder after all.

Then again, I might die from diabetes, but I'll save that for another post.

Pleasant surprise,
Kev

Archbishop John Sentamu

John Sentamu, born in Uganda, has become the 97th archbishop of York - the second 'highest' position in the Church of England. I have a wonderful quote from the sermon preached by Sentamu (from the CofE site):

“But why have we in England turned this glorious Gospel of life in the Spirit into a cumbersome organisation that repels, and whose people are dull and complacent?” - words of Michael Ramsey, 1960.

And I would urge people who are judgemental and moralizing – as followers of the Prince of Peace, the friend of the poor, the marginalised, the vulnerable - I bid you, by the mercies of God, to go and find friends among them, among the young, among older people, and those in society who are demonised and dehumanised; and stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

Christians, go and find friends who are Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, agnostics, atheists – not for the purpose of converting them to your beliefs, but for friendship, understanding, listening, hearing.

I like this archbishop already.

Cheers,
Kev