[chajin]

To actually see something is to interact with it, and to submit to a relationship with it; to take a picture of something is to possess it. There is a spiritual lesson here: God wants us to interact with Him, which forces us to submit to a relationship based on His will, but we want to take figurative pictures of our spiritual experiences, so that we can possess the experiences without having to submit to God.

[defconw]

That is a very deep observation. Good meditation material. All this fuss about what the Pope says or does not say. I am not sure about others. But I don't respect a priest that tells me what I want to hear. I may not agree 100 percent with every sentence that our current Holy Father utters. I am a big huge JPII person. But Papa Francis challenges me to think. To maybe step back from my initial opinion and think about what he says.

I have been given much and I mean that more in my mental, spiritual, and physical gifts than in the material. Although I have never been homeless or a refuge. So there is that.

Papa makes me think, am I using my gifts to the fullest? Where am I selfish. After my needs are taken care of, how much more do I need? How many cars, houses, TVs, shoes etc. I don't have to give it all up. But can I give up some to help someone else? Do I do that enough?

My two cents.