You might find it strange that I'm suddenly throwing the word "magic" out there, especially since I basically talk about Catholic topics. Bear with me; I'll explain. I'm working at a Young Author's Day Camp this summer and the children I work with have huge imaginations and believe in great things. That includes the Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, mermaids, Superman, fairy dust, and magic. I look at them and think, "Yeah. I used to believe in that type of stuff, but I grew up. Of course fairies and superheros are not real." Then I think, "Wow. This is kind of sad. We imagine all of these great, wonderful things as children and it turns out that they are not real. That makes a pretty boring and disappointing life." The Good Man, Jesus, is always quick to correct me. "What do you mean this great, fun stuff isn't real?" He asks me. "Okay Jesus. Imagination is good. It helps us grow as people and see what we as humans are capable of." "Think, Jacqueline," Jesus says, "Think of all the wonderful things that are real--that are not a part of your imagination." "Oh." My mouth drops. I can think of a lot. Let me list some stuff for you. Supernatural beings are real. I talk to them everyday. Jesus of course is the most obvious Being. He can walk on water, raise the dead (including Himself), and inspire us to do marvelous things. None of that is make-believe. None of that is just imagination. Moving forward. There are more supernatural beings than just God Himself. He's got a legion of angels. Ever studied the angels before? There are nine choirs of angels: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, powers, virtues, principalities, archangels, and angels (Guardian Angels). Believe in fairies? I don't, but I know we've got armies of spirits who carry out God's commands. (See Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia by Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas). Do we have real enemies with the power to capture and imprison us--the ability to destroy the world? You betcha. Satan and his demons are real, and their power is totally different than greedy earthly rulers or worldly wars. There are things we can't see, but things that are real. I know, it's not natural for us to just believe in this type of supernatural stuff. The truth is that there are superheros, powerful creatures, spirits that are good and bad, and miracles. All of the "power" and "super" parts of this come from God alone as He is the one with all power. Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and other fantastical stories are on to something. Our belief in "other-world" stuff isn't supposed to end when childhood ends. It's supposed to maturely form into the belief in the spiritual world--the "other-world" that is indeed real.
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AuthorJacqueline St. Clare: I spent six months in a cloistered convent, and now I'm a college student! Archives
April 2021
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