I don't know much about science, but to me the greatest invention of my lifetime is the internet. The internet is a highway where you can travel almost any place. You can get news, check sports scores, look up definitions, and find out about history. Like any highway there are good things to find and bad things . Sure there are pornographic sites, and you would know I was a liar if I said I had never stopped at one of these.
But there are important insights on this "highway." In RCIA we had discussed the parable of the Good Samaritan. I looked it up on Wikipedia, an internet highway stop, and it spoke directly to me. In the theological discussion about this parable, it was stated the poor beaten man by the road could symbolize a sinner. And I don't have to look up that word.
There are many translations of the Bible, so I am going to make a personal translation of the Good Samaritan parable as it might speak to me.
There was a man on the internet highway who fell into sin. He had been beaten and his heart was broken, and he laid there half-dead. A person came down the highway, saw the young man, and went on. Then a preacher came by and crossed on the other side. But two Samericans, who were journeying along with their children, were moved with compassion at the sight. They approached the young man and dressed the wounds of his heart. They then hoisted him up and brought him to a place where he was cared for. And then the wisest man who ever lived saw what happened and asked those who were watching"Which of these, in your opinion, could be called a neighbor to the young man who fell into sin?" A man in the crowd answered: "The women who treated him with compassion." And the wisest man said, "Then go and do the same."
Now family is very important. But so are neighbors, some of whom have never seen you, but through compassion become your neighbors and friends and treat you with respect and, maybe, love. I was lucky. I found two such friends on the "highway". I have no way to repay them, but did not Jesus say: " As much as you have done it to the least of these my children, you have done it to me." I, of course, am the young man. The two women who helped me and were my good Samericans may not recognize what they have done. But I know in my heart, Jesus knows them and what they did. Frank
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Frank,
ReplyDeleteDid you mean to write Samericans instead of Samaritans? If you did it on purpose, it's kind of a cute play on Samaritan and Americans. :)
Grammar/spelling: “high way” should be “highway.” “Like any highway they're” should be “Like any highway there are” [They're is “they are” which doesn't quite fit.] A lot of places you put a space in between a word and the comma after it: don't do this. (Like “definitions ,” should be “definitions,”; but I don't think I'm going to list all the places that do that. Just remember, if you see where you did that, then try to fix it.) “Wikepedia” is actually “Wikipedia”. “the wisest man who ever lived saw what happened and ask” should be “the wisest man who ever lived saw what happened and asked”. The quotations have a few minor issues: watching”Which should be watching, “Which .... sin/” should be sin?” .... answered :“ The should be answered, “The. “neighbors, some of who” should be “neighbors, some of whom”. “repay then” should be “repay them”.
I think this was the fewest errors you've had yet; definite improvement. The writing is very smooth, too, it flows well.
And I feel honored by this story, to be one of the Samericans. It's very touching, Frank.
God bless,
Anna
Anna yes I meant "sameritans". Kind of corny but I liked it. You really are a friend. I was down because I have final "father" test tomorrow. That you take so much time for not the best guy is a tribute to you. You fit in perfectly with the parable for me. I really want to help Jack and Alice more but they keep saying "your job is school. Your are kid." They are both so appreciative of your help, it helps me and it helps Jack and Alice. So their thanks too. Frank
ReplyDeleteHi Frank
ReplyDeleteJust checking in.
It's good to see your doing better.
Does your computer have a some sort of word processing program. It helps to write a long post there and use its spell and grammer check. Then when it is ready copy and paste to blogger.
May God bless you, Anna and all those who have taken you into their home and hearts.
Frank f-m. Thanks for your concern. This blog sometimes confuses people. I am Frank, the football player,the 23 year old women chaser who was really bad. Was injured by a whipping my father gave me at 17. It injured ,my ability to father children. Jack-John is the man who took me in his family. His wife Alice has really helped me. Jack has cancer and heart problems. Jack and Alice had two children. I live with Jack, Alice, his daughter, her husband and two grand kids. You probably figured this out but it confuses some. Thanks for your concern. Please come back. As you can tell I am hopeless on computer. Frank
ReplyDeleteanna, this is alice. frank wants me to write this because he wants your ideas and doesn't want to use a couple of words.
ReplyDeleteHis tests are back and his sperm count is escellent. The doctor said "you can have a thousand kids, but you need to get married first and check with your wife."
a couple of nights ago he cried out in his sleep. Jack and I raced in and he was sweating for head to the bottom of his feet . Even his hair was wet. He was having a dream about how to handle the older women issue at his confession. he says he can't say he had an affair with her because he did not;not did he have relations as that word is normally used. so what does he say. he could say what happened but that would be disgusting he thinks. any suggestions?
the rcia director told me she 'loves' this young man and wonders what he is doing in the class. almost all the people are older. of course, i can't tell the whole story.
you'll get a kick out of this, a rcia sponsor i know asked me who anna was? he has apparently mentioned you several times. they know he is not our son, but wondered who anna was.
when he was out for his medical work and had to stay home a week or so, he got on his papers.
he wants me to ask you if you think they are depressing.
he and emily go to the library to study(at least i hope so)and i think he is being good. if you have time could you comment? alice
Alice & Frank,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear of the good test results! I recommend settling for less than a thousand kids, though; maybe 15 will be enough. ;)
Frank, having nightmares about this means that you are still feeling very guilty and ashamed about it. Be careful that you don't let Satan have a hold on you, because he will keep trying to tell you that you are worthless because of those sins. So keep remembering that God knows exactly what you did, and he still loves you and wants you to be around him. As to what to say in confession, I think that it would be best to use the politest term you know for what happened. Stick to what happened, though; I think it will be easier to get it off your chest if you do that. If the politest term you know still seems disgusting to you, don't worry about it too much; chances are good that you're not the first person in the world to confess that! :)
Heh, you're right, I did get a kick out of the RCIA sponsor asking who I was. :)
I didn't think the papers were depressing. They were more inspiring than anything else. I thought he was going to write two more papers, though, so I've been wondering when they're going to show up.
I hope he and Emily are being good, too. Frank, just keep remembering what kind of guy you want to be now; remember to treat Emily like a lady, with respect, and you should be fine. :)
God bless,
Anna
Anna Thanks. I m actually ahead on my papers since I was not in school a week because of medical thing. But have another one coming probably today if not tomorow. I believe you are right to tell what happened. It is going to be embarassing but I need to get it out. If priest faints, I'll just blame you. (Joke) Frank
ReplyDelete