Material things are good in themselves, it’s the emphasis that we give to material things that is often misplaced as the more important things in our lives, we give it the wrong priority. There is another thing to consider, and that’s the idea of “feeling good” Many times to do the spiritual things, like practicing virtue, feelings often suffer. No doubt you heard the expression “give until it hurts”. And many of us are hurting because we believe in love of neighbor. So many times we have to sacrifice our feelings in order to help others. there is spiritual joy when this happens because we know that we have done what God wants us to do, and that is very good. To see people relieved of their suffering and to know that you had a part in it, is the greatest feeling, and you get a bonus with it, they give you their love, and God also increases your capacity for love, nothing better.
Sometimes its good to view our Catholic teachings in a philosophical light, which by doing so allows us to change our perspective on how to better see the world and apply our beliefs physically, politically, etc.
Seriously? Then what is the use of the intellect? If it was so then we were machines manipulated by God.
The only purpose is to find ourselves and share our finding with each other. That is what we are doing.
I don’t think God manipulates us. Also, we don’t have to create anything. We have the choice to be simple people, who live life only as far as feeding our stomaches and maybe even having offspring. On the contrary, we can choose to embrace creation to it’s fullest by studying and teaching and focusing on complex advancements. I think that’s what we’re supposed to be doing… That’s why schooling and academics is a hallmark in any civilized society.
We can go farther. I believe it’s our destiny to manipulate matter and to create. Even the most basic fungal life does it in the minimalist of ways. We, on the other hand, have more special gifts. We can not only manipulate through genes, we can manipulate the elements around us into mechanisms that work for us. It’s ‘creative power’.
So you accept the fact that we have creativity power. So what does the following sentence ever mean? Quited from you: “We can see God communicating to us by what He allows and what he prevents.”
The creativity is our ultimate power so we cannot go any farther.
It means he controls the playing field, like a referee. We are the players. We decide what game to play and how to make the plays.
We can go as far as the imagination of the mind within the set parameters. So how far can we go? Thats what we will find out. We must continue.