When I was a Catholic child, the word "supernatural" meant the opposite of the material-temporal plane, the Kingdom of God. Later, it represented a metaphor or abstraction, and it lost the status of being a better-higher realm. For me, now, there is nature (everything) and nothing.Ty wrote: Hello CarmelaBear,
I only just saw the above quoted sentiment and wanted to ask you - could this be seen as a problem of human grace versus supernatural grace? Where the individual is so preoccupied with being 'good,' that he (or she) cuts himself off from life? Examples being declarations of celibacy, passivism, and so forth?
Grace was a word that described a gift from God. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and it could be both unconditonal and unearned. It was always something very good, like luck, only better on account of coming from the Most High.
So, do people who are preoccupied with being "good" cut themselves off from life? Except for martyrdom, it's really not possible. As long as one is alive and aware of being alive, and making choices (including choosing to "surrender"). Being alive is like being pregnant. It's the whole enchilada, no matter what choices we make or what options we have.
Those who choose one thing, usually do so in order to find and keep something else, something they regard as way more valuable or useful.
Virtue and innocence can become so valuable to a person that the price to be paid becomes insignificant and painless in light of the benefits to be garnered. The life they leave behind is one that either detracts from or threatens to destroy some part of the life they cherish and depend upon to keep going.
Short answer:,,,,IMHO, life is more than any particular aspect of life. It offers a wide array of options, so long as we breathe, we are aware, and we have choices.
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