#gives me feelings of path of... nihility? no. abundance?

[astrummorte-m]

oh i love this face claim already.

[another-goblin]

Every time I think of giving this game (hsr) my money, it reminds me why I shouldn't. Some time ago I joked about how, with his crazy powercreep, we'll soon have characters who kill everything by just entering the fight. And now we have Acheron and Feixiao. Then I predicted a healer that deals more damage than a DPS. And here we go:

Lingsha deals about 2+ times more dmg on average than a dedicated 5-star dps Himeko (their biggest damade from several fights to compare their best, in equal condition, both with super break: Ultimate and FUA:)

Granted, Lingsha does a bit less dmg without super break, but let's not forget that she's a healer first of all, she also cleanses allies and debuffs enemies. And her FUA happens more often than Himeko's. And why wouldn't you use super break with a character who benefits immensely from it. While Himeko can't benefit from anything in this uniquie way.

I think the reason for this crazy power creep is the limited amount of game mechanics the game offers and the ways new characters can be uniquely appealing to people. HSR does offer some interesting mechanics and synergies (allthough they mostly aim at making a small amount of already ridiculously overpowerd characters even stronger and not at introducing new viable teams or revitalizing old obsolete characters). But it's not enough.

I know it's considered bad form to compare HSR to Genshin for some reason, but what gameplay reasons a player might have to pull for a character in Genshin, that HSR doesn't have: exploration convenience or enjoyment (for example, I only pulled for Xianyun because I love how she moves with her skill), or maybe their elemental reactions with the characters you already have, or it's just the unique feeling of how the character feels and moves during fights, or the weapon they use (I mean, they can release 5 nearly identical characters with different weapons, and I'll pull for the catalyst user and ignore the others, because it's my favorite weapon).

Using different weapons in Genshin has a very different feel and utility to it. While paths in HSR are just general suggestions on what the character's role might be. That's why we already have a Nihility character who plays like a Destruction on steroids or an Abundance character who can easily be a main dps.

So, in conclusion, there are much less ways a character might be uniquely appealing in HSR, so the only way to make new characters sell is to make them more and more powerful. And with the limited amount of game mechanics, I see little ways of making some of the old characters relevant again that wouldn't benefit new overpowered "must-haves" even more.

[mobblespsycho100]

Surya since you like both HSR and dungeon meshi what paths would the dunmeshi characters be :0

PAIGE I OWE YOU MY LIFE FOR THIS 🙏💞 . excellent question... enabling my brainrots... I will now cook (rubs my autistic hands together)

Laios: Destruction, Imaginary / Fire. I think he has to be either Imaginary or Fire path wise, leaning towards imaginary because smth smth golden / yellow smth smth. I just think destruction would fit him well based on pure vibes <3 lots of destruction characters have this deal of dealing w/ loss and also having a strong motivation for something (firefly wanting to live, dan heng finally facing his past etc.). If we're talking unplayable paths though I think Laios would follow The Hunt or even The Voracity (even tho im p sure the Aeon of Voracity Ouroboros is like . missing iirc? but like cmon. Laios is Thee Devourer™ I think it works !!)

Marcille: Erudition, Ice. "Wait why not fire she uses a lot of fire spells" yes I hear you . I think fire could also b a good element for her but I think ice fits with her lore in a sense . of like her fear of outliving everyone and her wanting to preserve others lives in a way. Erudition I pick cuz in canon she is like a big range/can hit a lot of enemies combatant in a way so AoE dmg dealer gameplay wise fits me thinks and also shes a scholarrr :3 thee academiccc. Lore / unplayable paths wise she might still follow the Erudition still or the Remembrance or even Preservation (but with The Architects not the IPC) me thinks.

Senshi: Abundance, Fire. I will not be taking criticism hes definitely abundance . he would be a healer. believe in me . also fire because cooking <3 NOT MUCH TO SAY HERE. even like outside of gameplay i still think he'd follow abundance . Ik theres this upcoming character (Jiaoqiu) whos a chef healer whos nihility fire but he has a diff vibe from senshi so like uhm yea

Chilchuck: Nihility, Quantum / Wind. this ones easy peasy to me like . chilled chuck on the path of nihility... he is such a goofy guy. i think quantum or wind would work as the elements for him because quantum entanglement debuff being this slow + stacking mechanic works for his kind of cautious guy whole thing while wind is like . uhh hes quick on his feet i suppose. Gameplay wise i think he'd be like increasing his own spd and delaying the enemies or like giving a vulnerability debuff mark ( reference to him using his bow and arrow to shoot at the ice golems weakspot but he doesn't really do any damage akhdkshd ). Outside of gameplay he still strikes me as a nihility guy or maybe he wouldn't be following a path ¯⁠\⁠_(•-•)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ idk

Izutsumi: Nihility or Hunt, Physical. Nihility again ! I just think it works for her ! but Hunt could also work !!! she would definitely be a dps type character I can't see anythin else. Nihility can also be dps even if their official role is debuffer . I picked physical because physical break causes bleed and uhh izutsumis claw scratches . scratch -> bleed. Yee. I love her a lot I think this works for her 🐱😎 . i feel like Izutsumi would actually be a pathstrider of the Trailblaze . like shes looking for her own path and wanting to be free and travel around tbh like . yeah . <3

Falin: Harmony, Imaginary. Touden siblings the imaginariessss realness. I feel like she would be harmony even though yeah her primary role is a cleric n she was the designated party healer but I feel like in rpg settings she would be a buffer for sure. I think the idea of a harmony character who can like switch modes after ulting (like oooh she transforms into chimera Falin in combat) would be super cool also. it would be pretty neat. She also gives me Robin vibes so like tbh ? hashtag . I'm always right. Lore wise she would also follow The Trailblaze <3 a wanderer wandering she is full of wanderlust . to me

Okay now I'm faced with a dilemma of doing like everyone else who I like or not but I've decided I'll just do . Kabru Toshiro and Namari and their parties I will not give extra explanations and just jump into it aight . ajhskahdjs

Kabru: Preservation, Physical. A combination that is not yet in the game (woah). I think he would be preservation because they're a really strong class and legit the rarest one also, kind of crazy how they're sustain but barring March 7th and Gepard (and even then March can be used offensively too) they can honestly b p neat dmg dealers / offensive buffers also. I think its really funny to assign guy who keeps dying to be the protector™ path also help ajahsjah. I picked physical because um . sword / weapons guy llalalala <3 . Unplayable paths wise I'd say he would bee . following The Remembrance :3<

Toshiro (Shuro): Erudition, Wind. Wind because I associate him with green too much . but also y'know who else is a wind dmg dealer . freakin Blade . So It Works (Guy who is making shit up) ‼️ I think he would be erudition because erm... well 👍 he's cool like that . i mean he could be destruction too . whatever idk anything. outside of gameplay he has the vibes of guy who is forced to be in the IPC LMAO

Namari: Nihility, Fire / Physical. Yeah we back in the nihility zone 🔥🔥🔥 honestly my excuse for this is that she gives me huge Luka vibes so NIHILITY IT IS and fire is also mostly vibes while physical is because punch punch . and she is the weapons knower™ ... but tbh outside of gameplay maybe she would follow the hunt. just vibes. she could be a galaxy ranger 👊💥

ok now here comes the rapidfire assignments

Kabru's party:

• Rin -> Erudition, Lightning. easy

• Dia -> Hunt, Physical

• Holm -> Abundance, Ice

• Mickbell -> Elation Nihility, Imaginary

• Kuro -> Destruction, Physical

Shuro's party:

• Maizuru -> Erudition, Quantum

• Inutade -> Destruction, Physical

• Benichidori -> Nihility, Lightning

• Hien -> Hunt / Destruction, Fire (but Lightning could work too)

Namari's party:

• Kiki & Kaka (I can't seperate the twins) -> Erudition, Imaginary

• Mr. Tansu Floke -> Abundance / Preservation, Ice

• Mrs. Yarn Floke -> Harmony, Fire (to contrast with mr tansu idk i think itd be silly <3)

The Canaries:

• Mithrun -> Destruction, Wind

• Fleki -> Nihility, Imaginary

• Lycion -> Destruction, Physical

• Cithis -> Erudition, Quantum (Enigmata follower vibes outside of gameplay)

• Pattadol -> Preservation, Ice or Erudition, Imaginary

• Otta -> Hunt, Fire

extra:

• Thistle -> Destruction / Preservation, Lightning

• Yaad -> Harmony, Quantum / Imaginary

• The Winged Lion -> Preservation, Imaginary

okay yeah thats it Me Thinks. (scuttles away)

[stellrn]

A possible solution to the universe's problems in the future:

Be your own Aeon.

Every Aeon has a theme of representing an aspect to the extreme. What if there was an Aeon that is nuanced?

To loosely summarise the war between the Hunt and the Abundance: they were incapable of nuance (being one of the factors). Either full immortality or mortality, and no take backsies. The lack of options, the dichotomy, made them think that the gift was the best thing there is.

Not to mention Elation and the lack of accountability, or the Destruction with every major war and genocide. Such extremism doesn't do anyone good. Look at the IPC, even the Preservation can be twisted to give an excuse for the excessively profit-driven corporation.

The war of all the Aeons against each other also means a lot of suffering is because of these higher beings, instead of humans doing it to themselves. It's redundant.

While the solution I am theorising probably isn't any better, putting you on top of existance with all the consequences, it should still remove a lot of unnecessary parts of Aeons.

A human can't represent just a single thing: they aren't only warmonging as the Destruction, uncaring like Nihility, intrusive as the Elation, devoted as the Hunt, protective like the Preservation or loving as the Harmony. They are a mix of everything, both good and bad.

Another thing is that Aeons can be dissolved into an Aeon with the bigger idea. So it might be possible to turn all the Aeons into a soup. (And drink it.)

A theory about the Stellarons is that they are created from the desires of people, or something along those lines. If that is the case, you may represent the will of the people.

Stelle, Aeon of Humanity, Stellaron Prime.

There may be a small problem with that...

It would also mean war againat the IPC, everything based on Aeons, and the universe at that... So eh? Oh well:

"Rules are made to be broken!"

P.S. Unveiling is a good read. Can be applied to Aeons as well.

[Stelle is mind-blown by this ask.]

“You must have a big brain, largechemicalreactor. Is it possible you’re a part of the Genius Society or the Intelligentsia Guild or any other factions of the Erudition?” [Stelle compliments you for this possible solution, which, of course, still has its consequences.]

“I definitely agree, every aeon…is a bit too extreme. As you said, aeons have lack of choices and are just…who they are.” [Stelle shrugs at the last part and then nods her head as she understands what you have to say.]

“Seriously, because most aeons are constantly in war with each other…the people that follow their path follow them too. It causes disharmony is the universe, and that’s when the Astral Express steps in and you know the deal after that.” [Stelle groans in annoyance, wondering why these aeons can’t just live peacefully with each other?]

“Me…as an Aeon? That would be sick! And that’s right too, humans can also have the qualities of two or more paths at the same time. This makes me wonder if there is anyone in the universe that follow two or more paths simultaneously.” [Stelle thinks for a moment before continuing.]

“Aeon soup? That’s a smart idea. I wonder if drinking the mixture of all aeons that could apparently turn into soup could turn us into some omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient being or something. Just a thought.” [Stelle gives you a smug smile, hearing what you say next.]

“Ah yes…I will represent the people with the power of my stellaron. But honestly, that’s a good point. But, I have a doubt in this one…we all know that Stellarons are seeds of destruction, cancer of all words blah blah. But these…stellarons stem from the power of the destruction, so it’s very likely to be turned into soup by the destruction. I don’t personally like the idea of me being soup.” [Stelle feels a shiver run down her spine.]

“I personally think I should be the Aeon of Trashcans. The most underrated Aeon. And war against the IPC and…yeah okay, I’m not a coward. I bet I can beat their ass!” [Stelle gives a motivated grin.]

[rosemorningstar]

Idk if there’s much crossover between the two fandoms, but I think there’s plenty of crossover between the general concepts embodied by the Daedric princes and the paths embodied by the Aeons of Honkai Star Rail.

For example, Namira gives me the same vibe as IX who rules over the path of Nihility which is basically Nihilism on a universal scale. It’s that same way she drags people down into a state of nothingness where nothing in Nirn matters in the face of decay and rot. Where every failure is magnified as evidence that there was never a point in trying in the first place. IX and their path act much the same way in HSR and one of their primary “factions” called Self-Annihilators reminds a me a lot of the Dro-m’athra.

Another example is an Aeon named Yaoshi who rules the path of Abundance. In that path you’ll see all the “healer” type characters but the path itself also leads to immortality which twists the recipient over time. Yaoshi goes from world to world delivering boundless life and healing but this leads to population and resource crises even if Yaoshi’s intent was seemingly benevolent. To me this feels like Meridia who gifts immortality which wipes away individuality in the process and also champions life energy and light which are benevolent concepts at first glance.

Idk I think it’s a fun mental exercise to connect the Daedra to entities from other games plus I didn’t really think about Meridia in that light of abundance until I compared her to Yaoshi.

[vessmar]

𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐢: 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞.

𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫.

(𝐚𝐝𝐝-𝐨𝐧𝐬.)

element: quantum path: nihility faction: stellaron hunters race: long-life variation of human region: [yet untouched] weapon: dual knives children: yuxi (adoptive daughter) 14 by appearance | 88 chronologically

𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲.

having grown up on a distant, war-torn planet, vesper escaped as a stowaway on an enemy vessel shortly after killing his father — and sole abuser — the last remainder of his kin still alive. within his escape plan, he managed to slowly, but surely, take control of the ship, either slaughtering or imprisoning anyone within it. though he'd managed to escape his home planet, he would not escape punishment for his devastation, and was detained and sent to a prison planet to carry out his sentence.

vess' time in prison was just as rough as his upbringing; with the knowledge that he, a long-life species of the abundance, had survived double leg amputation, he was chosen as subject for a series of cybernetic upgrades, put through quiet tests and procedures without due consent. vesper was given the option to become a leveled mercenary in exchange for his "freedom", an offer he accepted with little thought. during his first day out under new command, vess received a call from an unknown observer: a stellaron hunter named kafka. she'd invited him to join her ranks, and though her voice spun webs of the prettiest silk, he felt she offered him more control, a far truer "freedom" than his current circumstances. with her help, he killed those who held his leash.

now, in current times, vesper's cybernetics are decaying — though they still work, that cannot be said to be a constant, and there are days, albeit rare ones, that his nerves feel as though they're on fire while the metal in his body goes on the fritz, seizing up muscles and numbing limbs. his current goals, that which elio has put in his script, includes hunting down the surgeon who implanted these parts, in hopes of having the old technology upgraded, or repaired. very few people he's found know how this tech works, and seemingly none both know the tech and are practiced with the implementation procedures. desperation is setting in as vesper's arms are more frequently out of commission.

during his time with the stellaron hunters, vess found a young girl on a mission for the target in his sights, and opted to give her the kill; she looked desperate, and angry, and on high alert — vess knew those emotions all too well. he extended an offer to her after her mission was finalized: i will help you escape. i see too much of myself in you. let me help you find your freedom too. though she introduced herself as yuxi, she was suspicious, hesitant, as he'd expected. leaving contact details with her, he left, yet he stayed in the area and waited for an answer. upon receiving her response, vess aided her in the destruction of the man who held her leash, and he gave yuxi the offer for a place to stay, someone to visit, and someone to guide her, if she ever felt safe enough to come to him. it was healing, to become the person he'd needed as a child. now, yuxi joins him on some missions, and he looks after her like a daughter — a very flighty, dangerous daughter.

[seekfirstme]

The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager © 2020. Don's website is located at Dailyscripture.net

Meditation: Are you ready to follow the Lord Jesus wherever he may lead you? With the call the Lord gives the grace to respond and the strength to follow all the way to the end. Why does Jesus issue a challenge with the call? Jesus was utterly honest in telling people what it would cost to follow him. When a would-be disciple approached Jesus and said he was ready to follow, Jesus told him it would require sacrifice - the sacrifice of certain creaturely comforts. Jesus appealed to this man's heart and told him to detach himself from whatever might hold him back. Spiritual detachment is a necessary step for following the Lord. It frees us to give ourselves without reserve to the Lord and his service. While many of us may not need to give up the comfort of our own home and bed to follow Jesus, we, nonetheless, must be willing to part with anything that might stand in the way of doing God's will.

Don't let anything hold you back from following the Lord Jesus

Another would-be disciple said he would follow as soon as he had buried his father. What he meant by this expression was that he felt the need to return to his home to take care of his father through old age until he died. The third had no obligation to return home, but simply wanted to go back and say good-bye. Jesus surprised these would-be disciples with the stark truth that nothing should hinder us from following the Lord. Was Jesus being harsh and rude to his would-be followers? Not really. We are free to decide whether we will take the path which Jesus offers. But if we choose to go, then the Lord wants us to count the cost and choose for it freely.

Don't miss the good path God has set for you - it will lead to joy and freedom

What does the story of a plowman have to do with the journey? A plowman who looked back while plowing his field caused the line or furrow he cut into the soil to become crooked. One crooked line easily leads to another until the whole field is a mess. The plowman had to look straight ahead in order to keep the plow from going off course. Likewise, if we look back on what we have freely left behind to follow the Lord - whether that be some distraction, attachment, or sinful habit which leads us away from doing God's will - our path will likely diverge and we'll miss what God has for us.

Will you say "yes" to the Lord's call for your life?

The Gospel does not record the response from these three would-be disciples. We are only left with the question which Jesus intends for us as well. Are you ready to take the path which the Lord Jesus offers? His grace is sufficient and his love is strong. There is nothing greater we can do with our lives than to place them at the service of the Lord and Master of the universe. We cannot outmatch God in his generosity. Jesus promises that those who are willing to part with what is most dear to them for his sake "will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). The Lord Jesus offers us a kingdom of lasting peace, unending joy, surpassing love, enduring friendship, and abundant life. Is there anything holding you back from pursuing the Lord and his will for you life?

"Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace - with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556) "

The following reflection is from One Bread, One Body courtesy of Presentation Ministries © 2020.

“HOW GREAT THOU ART”

“Should one wish to contend with Him, he could not answer Him once in a thousand times.” —Job 9:3

God is beyond the powers of human expression. “He removes the mountains before they know it; He overturns them in His anger. He shakes the earth out of its place, and the pillars beneath it tremble” (Jb 9:5-6). “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the crests of the sea” (Jb 9:8). “He does great things past finding out, marvelous things beyond reckoning” (Jb 9:10). “Should He seize me forcibly, who can say Him nay? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’ ” (Jb 9:12)

The truth that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” echoes throughout the Scriptures (e.g. see Ps 111:10). We feel amazement, awe, and wonder at the presence of the almighty God. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). “How great Thou art!”

When we have a more realistic awareness of Him, everything comes into right perspective. We realize our privilege to be in His kingdom. We recognize that the greatest honor possible for a human being is to praise and serve God. We feel blessed to suffer (Rm 8:17), even to die for Him. We almost faint to think we receive the all-holy God into our bodies in Holy Communion. When we have the fear of the Lord, we disdain a minimalistic, mediocre Christianity and abandon ourselves to a life of joyful, sacrificial commitment to the Lord.

Prayer:  Jesus, why did You ever pay any attention to me? Thank You, Lord, for loving me.

Promise:  “Jesus answered him, ‘Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.’ ” —Lk 9:62

Praise:  St. Jerome is the Church’s greatest biblical scholar. Jerome wrote, “The reading of Holy Scriptures should follow upon prayer, and prayer in turn should follow reading.”

Reference:  

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from October 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio February 25, 2020"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements

[junker-town]

Existence is hard and we’re all stumbling through it

Getty Images/iStockphoto

In this week’s advice column: How do we come to grips with the fact that our lives might be meaningless?

Welcome to Couldn’t Be Me, a weekly advice column where I solicit your personal dilemmas and help out as best as I can. Have something I can help you with? Find me @_Zeets.

Again, we come back to the problem of the meaning of life. I don’t think there will ever be an answer to the eternal question. There is abundant scholarship on it, too much to be condensed into a single advice column. The despair that comes from the absurdity of living has probably been present since the first humans became aware of themselves.

But there are paths open to us beyond nihilism. This week, we explore some of the ways that one might find value in life even without believing in a higher power, or that there’s a meaning to it all.

Pat:

This may be a bit too general for your advice column, but I figured I’d ask anyway. I’m struggling with finding motivation when I feel like the world has no meaning. I don’t believe in a higher power at all, and I believe there is no real reason that we are here. It should be a freeing feeling in the fact that I can assign significance to what I deem important, but I have a hard time getting that concept to click. The feeling that life has no meaning makes it much harder to get the motivation to push on in doing things like running, reading for my classes, etc. I see a therapist once a week and we work on it, but I was wondering if you have any advice on coping with this on a day-to-day basis?

CBM:

I’ve answered this a few times already, but there’s no harm in going again.

This is one of the longest-running questions in human history. You have a pretty nihilistic view on life and its lack of meaning, and you seem to have fallen into the hole of despair. It might be time to read Nietzsche, who deals with this same problem, and go forward from there.

But I don’t think that one needs to become someone who can create their own values by force of will. I especially don’t believe that any human being could bear such responsibility, which I think is one of the foundations for your unhappiness. It’s too much to be the one who assigns significance to the world. You don’t have to believe in God, but you also don’t have to replace him with yourself.

I think Sarte’s “existence precedes essence” — the idea that “self-making-in-a-situation,” and Heidegger’s refinement, that a human is an entity whose essence is “precisely to be and nothing but to be” — is a good starting point towards solving the problem of greater meaning.

I have some frustration with the problem of meaning and how we tend to think about it. When we speak about meaning, we seem to be searching for a grand destination, so we can determine what are the useful actions of life, and what about the way we live is useless. Life becomes a matter of wanting to win the game of it.

That’s such a diseased way of thinking about the meaning of life. We fall into despair when we don’t reach the stage of victory for some definition of what it means to be a man, a woman, a writer, a lover, a person, and so on. I know that life must have its limits, and we have to create a framework for the type of people that we want to be. But it seems that rather than accepting the dynamism of life and ourselves as individuals, we want to make a straightforward job of it all. And that’s just so boring.

I think what you need to do, first, is try to understand that life and people are valuable by nature of their existence, rather than things to be assigned value. Bestowing value on aspects of life will inevitably lead you into determining what is useful or not, and who is useful or not, which will lead to what is productive and what is not.

One of my favorite things about grand myths is that trees are sacred in most of them. The stories always seem to start with a great tree: égig érő fa, Ağaç Ana, Modun, Yggdrasil, Iroko, Jianmu, and so on. We are not trees, but I like what trees say about life. Trees just exist, and are valuable just by being so. Yes, trees give out oxygen and are important to humans in that regard, as they are important to wildlife by providing shelter. They might even be chopped down to be used to build things. There’s so much you can do with a tree. You can even build the myth of a people around them. But all of those values are extraneous. A tree grows because a tree is planted, and exists within the ecosystem of the world, where each individual tree is essential to maintaining life while at the same time nearly inconsequential in a grand sense. A tree doesn’t grow for any purpose. It just grows to be a tree. That is its value. The rest comes after.

So I would say there’s no need to assign significance to things. You’re not trying to win at life. Things in life are valuable because they are part of life. Even if life has no grand meaning, that value doesn’t evaporate. Rather than try to give meaning to things, it might be time to think of the things that you enjoy the most. Then of course, you can determine what kind of life you want to live, and build towards that. Hopefully you can also allow yourself room for failure and confusion, because existence is hard and we’re all stumbling through it.

Jess:

How does one escape the isolation, loneliness and depression that comes with being a job seeker?

CBM:

I quit a job once, and rather than find a new one right away, I chose to remain unemployed. I wanted to break the mindset that my job constituted who I am, and the anxiety of feeling useless if most of your time isn’t put into some form of labor.

I’m not saying that working isn’t important and can’t be a route to happiness, but it felt unhealthy that it was so central to my idea of self.

During that unemployment period, I did all the things that I have always loved but couldn’t do when I was working so much. I started becoming the ideal version of myself that I always said I would try to be if I had more time and more energy. I wrote every day. I went to museums. I read a lot. I walked by the water. I ate too much ice cream. Traveled a bit. I just had to yank my self-worth away from my productivity in the professional world, which seems to be at the heart of so many bad feelings about not having a job.

Job searches are definitely lonely and depressing endeavors, but I would advise you to spend whatever time you have between jobs doing the things that make you happy. Create, or work towards your non-professional identity.

Short:

How’s the story writing going?

CBM:

This is aggressive. Please refrain from attacking me like this in the future. I’m an artist. What matters is not how things are “going” or how far along I am, but the quality of the work at the end. Whenever that end may be.

[seekfirstme]

The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager © 2019. Don's website is located at Dailyscripture.ServantsOfTheWord.org

Meditation: What can a story of a dragnet and a great catch of fish tell us about God's kingdom? The two most common ways of fishing in Jesus' time was with a casting-net (or hand-net) which was thrown from the shore and the drag-net or trawl which was let down or cast into the waters from a boat. As the boat moved through the waters the dragnet was drawn into the shape of a great cone which indiscriminately took in all kinds of fish and flotsam and jetsam swept in its path. It usually took several men to haul such a net to shore.

Reward and judgment at the end of the age

What is Jesus' point here? Just as a drag-net catches every kind of fish in the sea, so the church acts as God's instrument for gathering in all who will come. Just as the drag-net does not or cannot discriminate, so the church does not discriminate between the good and the bad, the useless and the useful. God's kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. But there will come a time of separation, at the close of the age when the Lord Jesus returns again and sends out his angels who will separate the good and the bad and then send them to their respective destinations. Our duty in this present age is to gather in all who want to become citizens of God's kingdom here on earth as well as in heaven above.

The Lord Jesus, when he comes again at the end of this age, will give to those who believed in him and his way of truth and righteousness a glorified resurrected body and a home in his everlasting kingdom. But for those who refused to follow the Lord Jesus and his merciful word of truth and righteousness, their destiny will be total separation and loss of joy and happiness with God and his community of redeemed men and women. The Lord Jesus freely offers the treasure of abundant life and everlasting joy to all who believe in him and accept him as their Lord and Savior. Do you yearn for total peace, joy, and union with God in his everlasting kingdom?

Trained for the kingdom of heaven

What is the point of Jesus' parable about a "scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 13:52)? Jewish scribes were specially devoted to the study and practice of the Word of God entrusted to Moses (the first five books of the Bible) and in instructing others in how to live according to God's commandments and way of holiness. In the Old Testament Ezra was called "the ready scribe of the law of the God of heaven" (Book of Ezra 7:6,21). He received this title because he "had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" (Ezra 7:10). Ezra's heart was set on the kingdom of heaven because he revered God's word and he taught others through example and instruction to love and obey God's word.

The old and new treasure of God's word

Why does Jesus compare a "trained scribe" with a "householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old" (Matthew 13:52)? Some people love to store up old prized possessions along with their newly acquired prizes. Others are eager to get rid of the old to make room for the new. So why does Jesus seem to emphasize keeping the old along with the new? Why not replace the old, especially if the new seems to be better or more useful? Wouldn't a person want to throw away an old pair of shoes and replace them with a new pair - especially if the old pair became well-worn or torn beyond repair? But, who in his right mind would throw away an old precious jewel or some old gold coins simply because they were ancient and maybe tarnished a bit? Precious gems and gold do not lose their value with age! Like choice vintage wine they increase in value.

Jesus' parable of the "old" and the "new" certainly points to the "older covenants" which God made with his covenanted people of the Old Testament, beginning with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and with Moses on Mount Sinai, and with King David - the precursor of the Messiah (Psalm 89:3 and Psalm 110:1). Jesus' parable also points to the "new covenant" which he came to establish through the shedding of his blood on the cross and the anointing of his Holy Spirit who seals the new covenant on the day of Pentecost. Jesus did not come to abolish the Old Covenant but to fulfill it. The Lord calls us to treasure all of his word - all of his commandments, promises, precepts, and teaching (Psalm 119:14,72,127,162). Do you promise to keep all of God's commands? The Lord gives strength, blessing, and joy to those who treasure all of his word.

We would be impoverished today if we only possessed the treasures of the word of God in the "Old Testament" Scriptures or if we only knew the treasures of the "New Testament" Scriptures. Both the Old and New Testament Scriptures are given by the same eternal Father, inspired by the same eternal Holy Spirit, and fulfilled by the same eternal Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and who was sent from heaven to take on human flesh for our salvation (John 1:1-3,14).

Unity of the Old and New Testaments

There is a profound unity between the Old and New Testaments. Both are divinely inspired by one and the same Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). The Old Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfills the Old - the two shed light on each other. The Old Testament prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ as the redeemer of all who would be saved through his sacrifice on the cross. The New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New. That is why Jesus interpreted the Old Testament Scriptures for his disciples and explained how he came to fulfill what was promised and foreshadowed in the Old (Luke 24:27). That is why we read the Old Testament in the light of Christ’s saving death and resurrection. Do you revere the word of God in the Scriptures - both old and new - and see their fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Lord Jesus, may your word take deep root in my heart and transform my way of thinking, discerning, and acting. May your Spirit open my ears to hear and understand the word of God in the Scriptures that I may revere and treasure both the Old and the New Testaments which God has prepared for all who desire to enter his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. Help me to be a diligent student and faithful disciple of your word."

The following reflection is from One Bread, One Body courtesy of Presentation Ministries © 2019.

THE FUNNIES

  "The reign of God is also like a dragnet." —Matthew 13:47  

Some years ago, it was popular to ask the question: "Are we having fun yet?" Those living for God's kingdom would respond: "No, I'm not having fun and I don't expect to." This is not to say that kingdom-living is a "drag," although it is like a dragnet. Being in a dragnet containing old shoes, tires, tin cans, seaweed, or whatever garbage they had in Biblical times is not a pleasant trip (see Mt 13:48). Therefore, if you're struggling in your Christian life, that's to be expected. "It comes with the territory."

To use the examples of Isaiah (see Is 64:7) and Jeremiah (see Jer 18:6), we are like clay which is being pounded, drenched, swirled, cut, molded, and fired. This is not something we feel like doing every day. Kingdom-living does not come under the category of fun. It's beyond that. Kingdom-living is better than fun; it is "inexpressible joy" (1 Pt 1:8). Kingdom-joy is not the absence of suffering, but is proportionate to the sufferings we endure for Jesus (1 Pt 4:13).

Human beings eventually get sick of having fun. Having fun becomes a drag. Look at some of our young people near the end of summer vacation. We eventually want more than fun, diversion, and trivialities. Deep down, we want life to the full (Jn 10:10). We want to seek first God's kingdom (Mt 6:33), even if it is like a dragnet. The question is not: "Are you having fun yet?" but "Are you living in the kingdom yet?"

  Prayer: Father, may Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven (see Mt 6:10). Promise: "The cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling." —Ex 40:34 Praise: St. Alphonsus Liguori was declared patron of moral theologians by Pope Pius XII in 1950.   (For a related teaching on The Truth Will Set You Free, order, download, or view our booklet on our website.)  

  Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019.

†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 15, 2019.  

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements