Today is the celebration of the Epiphany, which the actual feast day of which was on January 6th. So when you think of the 12 Days of Christmas song, those refer to the 12 days of the Christmas season which STARTS on Christmas and ends on Epiphany. Its a two week celebration! Epiphany recalls when the three kings visit Jesus to bring him gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh. I'll be talking about this a bit more later, but I'll talk a little more update-y stuff first.
Besides starting school, which is both depressing (the concept of still being in school) and exciting (classes should be pretty good), the week was pretty tame. I had a cold because IT SNOWED FOR TWO DAYS and going from 75 to 25 degree weather with a germ filled plane ride in between isn't conducive to healthy. The snow was pretty cool in that it actually did cover the ground. There wasn't enough to really make a snowman though, or even really through a snowball. I had to scrape my car of the first day but that was it. Nothing too significant to report yet. I've decided that snow would be the best thing ever if: There was enough of it to play in, and it wasn't cold. I feel like I can get one of the two this year. Anyway, as soon as the sun came out it melted the snow away and by the end of this week it was in the 60s! Oh Ohio... Why can't the sun warm me up?? Why does it only warm up the only cool part about being cold!?!?
Despite being sick, a do stupid things like stay up super late, still eat whatever I want, and exercise. Actually, the exercising has really helped me. I played racquetball with Powder Climber on Thursday and felt great. Then Saturday was the day of epicness: Skyzone. Picture a warehouse building. Now fill it with trampolines. Put some trampolines on the walls. Put some foam pits in a corner. And tie all the trampolines together. That is skyzone. Me, Tall Bear, Cardmaster Cider, Powder Climber, and another cohort friend, Frenchie's Choice all went out for Frenchie's birthday. It was soo fun. We jumped. We bounced. Some of us flipped (yea not for me or Tall Bear) We played dodge ball. We belly flopped into a foam pit. And we did it all over again. It was a ton of fun and a great workout. I am SO. SORE. I admit we were the oldest ones there. And we all got a bit winded, even those of us in shape. But dammit, we could run and jump and play just as hard as the 16, 17, 18 year olds and eat greasy pizza and soda with the rest of them at the end. It was great. Add to that a very simplistic but wonderful drive home, with jokes (usually at Tall Bear's expensive-we love him!) and fun music and a stop at United Dairy Farmers (equivalent of an AMPM). It was a great night.
On other point of note for this week besides my discussion below was brief talks with P-Diddy, Pokeboss, and Red Button through random texts and brief phone calls. It's nice to catch up (and I expect more updates those of you still at University!). Good times and bad that people go through, its amazing how much just getting it off our chest helps or hearing what's going on in other peoples lives instead of your own warms your heart.
So, yea. This brings us to Sunday. Like I said in my New Year's post, I'm trying to build up my faith life. I will probably be pondering this stuff a lot in this blog. I'll try to keep it in a section, acknowledging that for some people its not their thing.
I've had several conversations about religions this week, with Spam Boa, with Dandy Woo, with Tenshi, and even with my mom a little. Just talking God I think is good cuz it helps me keep the topics on the front of my mind and reaffirm my beliefs and how I express them to others (important). The readings on Epiphany talk about how the three kings come to see Jesus. Now historically this may have happened years after the actual birth of Jesus, but the big takeaway point is that these men who were NOT jews, came to honor this Jewish king. This shows that from the literal beginning, Christ's message of hope, goodwill, and love were for everyone, not just a chosen few. And the message, more than anything else, was one of love and respect for God and for others.
I think back about whether I show that so-called Christian love or not, especially as Spam Boa and I have been reminiscing on our high school days, when we really got involved in our faith. I was pondering how to talk to someone about God if they don't believe in God and it has always been hard for me. The reason being, when I learned about my faith and strengthened my knowledge and beliefs, it was mostly from a man who was a Protestant convert. So we learned a lot about the differences between various forms of Christianity and why Catholic seemed the best fit for me. Catholics believe that their path is the one truly complete path. It is this point I want to ponder more today, on Epiphany.
When ANY faith says their way is the only way to get to heaven, be saved, find true peace, makes any sense at all, etc., people get very turned off. To tell someone there is only one way to do something bothers them because they feel limited and controlled, lacking free will. I am no exception. Especially when it comes to religion though, being told you might be wrong (or even that there is a right and wrong way) just turns you off, unless you like to talk and debate and ponder things, and most people have to be in the mood to do that. In my experience, on a day to day basis, most people are NOT in that that mood. So, talking about religions, unless circumstances are perfect, can very easily result in sending the wrong message that all other beliefs are wrong, this belief is exclusive and self righteous.
But that's not what we celebrated in church today. Today we celebrated how God is for everyone. Today we celebrated how three wealthy, wise men, who we have no reason to believe would ever convert to Judaism, let alone Christianity, recognized the significance of Christ and paid him tribute. We celebrate that love is for everyone. So today, I challenge myself to make sure I'm showing love first. Yes, I am proud and on fire for my faith and want to share this great thing I have with others. I am Catholic because I think it's right and the best way. Maybe you don't. But regardless, I want to share with you the Love that is so prevalent and crucial to my beliefs. Yes there are rules and rituals and challenges, there's the political sides of it all. But nobody can or wants to deal with that until they see that there is love first. Love of God is for every single person, and as a Christian, it is my goal to show you that first. So, on the last day of Christmas, my true love, God, gave to me, 12 months of strength to love everyone.
Much love and blessings to you today and this year :)
-JTY
Listening to: Child of the Poor/What Child is This- Notre Dame Folk Choir version. They sang this in Mass today. It literally brought tears to my eyes, and I don't cry much. What Child is This is the most powerful Christmas song I know. It really hits me every time. God become a weak, helpless child, who would save the world. Listen to it and really hear how the two songs blend. Oh So GOOD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEkdr62eVMY&feature=related
Reading: CITI Ethics in Research Modules- so I can ethically conduct research someday. CLLLAASSSSSS. :(
Playing: TOR- Is it an obsession yet? Am I one of those people? Not yet... I hope.
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