How study can hinder holiness

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Lost_Wanderer said:
I’m a language major who writes marketing blogs. But then again, I’m sure you’re smart enough to know that identifying basic fallacies like strawman arguments are par for any course. 👍
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You are correct in that I am aware of it. 👍
If you’re going to define an intellectual as some idiot who just likes to read for no particular reason, then you sir, put your local scarecrow manufacturer to shame. :rolleyes:
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From dictionary.com:

in·tel·lec·tu·al   [in-tl-ek-choo-uhl]
adjective
  1. appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.
  2. of or pertaining to the intellect or its use: intellectual powers.
  3. possessing or showing intellect or mental capacity, especially to a high degree: an intellectual person.
  4. guided or developed by or relying on the intellect rather than upon emotions or feelings; rational.
  5. characterized by or suggesting a predominance of intellect: an intellectual way of speaking.
in·tel·lect   [in-tl-ekt]
noun
  1. the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge.
  2. capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.
  3. a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.
  4. a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.
  5. minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.
 
AlanFromWichita said:
From dictionary.com:

in·tel·lec·tu·al   [in-tl-ek-choo-uhl]
adjective
  1. appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.
  2. of or pertaining to the intellect or its use: intellectual powers.
  3. possessing or showing intellect or mental capacity, especially to a high degree: an intellectual person.
  4. guided or developed by or relying on the intellect rather than upon emotions or feelings; rational.
  5. characterized by or suggesting a predominance of intellect: an intellectual way of speaking.
in·tel·lect   [in-tl-ekt]
noun
  1. the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge.
  2. capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.
  3. a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.
  4. a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.
  5. minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.
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And why is that not at the first page instead of this?
Sirach2 said:
There are walking encyclopedia types that are puffed up with knowledge, but fail in charity the minute they open their mouth to profess their wisdom. These were the very ones that Jesus had the most trouble with: following the letter, rather than the spirit. Their satisfaction in having vast learning has blinded many. Not having a bible handy, I cannot quote, but there are many sayings concerning this in the book of Proverbs.
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AlanFromWichita said:
Because as fate would have it, there were a bunch of other posts in the way. 😃

Alan
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Well I hate to nitpick but I don’t see any of the posts prior to the one I cited that justified its misrepresentation of what an intellectual is.
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
Well I hate to nitpick but I don’t see any of the posts prior to the one I cited that justified its misrepresentation of what an intellectual is.
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Oh come on, you do too love to nitpick. Just like I do. 😃

Alan
 
This morning, an unusual thought came to mind which I think is a fitting close to this thread. Pope Benedict gave this address on St. Thomas Aquinas, whom we know is considered one of the greatest Catholic intellectuals and teachers of the faith.

The last months of Thomas’ earthly life remained surrounded by a particular atmosphere – I would say a mysterious atmosphere. In December 1273, he called his friend and secretary Reginald to communicate to him the decision to interrupt all work because, during the celebration of Mass, he had understood, following a supernatural revelation, that all he had written up to then was only "a heap of straw." It is a mysterious episode, which helps us to understand not only Thomas’ personal humility, but also the fact that all that we succeed in thinking and saying about the faith, no matter how lofty and pure, is infinitely exceeded by the grandeur and beauty of God, which will be revealed to us fully in Paradise.

The life and teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas could be summarized in an episode handed down by the ancient biographers. While the saint, as was his custom, was praying in the morning before the crucifix in the Chapel of St. Nicholas in Naples, the sacristan of the church, Domenico da Caserta, heard a dialogue unfolding. Thomas was asking, worried, if what he had written on the mysteries of the Christian faith was right. And the Crucifix responded: “You have spoken well of me, Thomas. What will be your recompense?” And the answer that Thomas gave is that which all of us, friends and disciples of Christ, would always wants to give: “Nothing other than You, Lord!”

:amen:
 
Lady_Love said:
I was meditating today on becoming a marathon runner. I was overwhelmed by running 20 miles when I can barely walk three miles. In my mind I started comparing marathon running to spirituality. I thought, “How silly it would be to study hours and hours about marathon running to try to be a marathon runner,” The only way to become a marathon runner would be to START running. I’m sure some studying would be good for learning to eat, train, and rest for marathon running but someday in order to compete you would have to start running.

I say this because I have caught myself in the vicious cycle of study when it comes to the spiritual life. I could spend days reading. But what kind of life is a life spent reading and learning about how others lived, if I don’t live my own life. I would read and read about who this saint was and who that saint was but often not even know who I was. I could look and admire all the gifts and talents of someone but never know what my gifts were. The problem with not knowing what my gifts/talents were is that I wasn’t using them.

I was reading a book (ha. ha.) the other day that was talking about how our gifts and talents reveal our purpose. For example, my talent is singing, so I sing for my parish. I started as a meek member of a choir, then graduated to a cantor, and now ten years later, I am the primary cantor for funerals and weddings, I am engaged to the music director for the parish (whom I got to return to church before we were dating and work for the church.) and we are on the diocesan board for “World Mission Day.” 2013" together.

I started with my voice, which I wasn’t very strong in at the time, and grew from there. The point being is…I STARTED.

I’m not trying to toot my own horn here because actually, I have found myself caught in the vicious circle of study, study, study and not enough action. I was just observing myself and wondering if I was avoiding responsibility by diving into study. You know, like when we talk ABOUT Jesus yet never talk TO Him. Have you ever found your self doing that? I know I have been standing right in front of Him in the Eucharist, talking about how He is present there without ever addressing Him personally…such a shame.
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Pray this prayer

Lord in my zeal for the love of truth let me not forget the truth about love

That was written by St. Thomas Aquinas… ask for his intercession… St. Thomas is an example of an intellectual saint one who was brilliant but had a childs heart

God Bless
Zac
 
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