Absolutes

IF ONE FULLY ACCEPTS THE DOCTRINE OF THE BLESSED TRINITY (the absolute distinction between FORMS OF LIFE and the PERSONS who possess the forms) ABSOLUTES ARE POSSIBLE AND NECESSARY.

Some of us avoid absolutes because, as soon as we make something an absolute, we start separating people (good/bad; in/out; friend/enemy; right/wrong; orthodox/heretic).

Absolutes are possible and desirable with Trinity because the first and supreme absolute of Trinity is that THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SEPARATION. Separation is not only undesirable, SEPARATION IS IMPOSSIBLE with God.

Remember, with Trinity, absolutely all forms of life (animal, vegetable, mineral and spiritual) are part of the One Supreme Super-form of life which is God. Persons are absolutely not part of the life but they absolutely cannot exist separated from a form of life. So, by definition, there is no possibility of separation.

Once again, although I cannot prove the Trinitarian Distinction, it works! It is like saying that humans and animals differ because human forms of life show evidence of a dimension  that is not manifested in other animals. Thus, even though it cannot be proven, it is reasonable to say that humans have a spiritual dimension that we call a "soul."

The fact that I have absolutes that work is great evidence that I am on the right track. Just remember, absolutes must be absolutely applied or else they are not really absolutes. Too many people try to force reality to fit contradictory positions. They might even try to hide what they are doing by calling it a paradox--it only seems to be a contradiction.

Here are some absolutes I find work. Try it yourself. Whenever you read one of these words in the Psalms or in other writing , try doing what I do--translate it.

EVIL
Separation is absolutely artificial even though it is real.
Much of what is called separation is not real.

SIN
Believing in separation - Original sin cannot be helped.
Committed sin (after the age of reason) is to choose to believe in separation.
Sin has often been confused with evil [e.g. Immaculate Conception of Mary and the Church].

SALVATION
Getting creatures to quit believing in separation.
Can only (absolutely) be accomplished by touch (sight & sound).
Jesus is not savior because he is God but because he is human.
The Kingdom on earth alone (absolutely) is salvation.

LOVE
The absolute opposite of separation.

FORGIVENESS
Love that is given (fore-given) unconditionally.

SACRAMENT
Absolutely necessary for salvation of the flesh.
Not just a symbol kind of sign that points to something else.
Kind of sign that is actually part of what is being communicated.
[Photo vs. face; written or electronic word vs. voice; fancy wrapped gift vs. hug or kiss.]

CHURCH--SACRAMENT TO WORLD
The Universal Sacrament (language) of God's Love to the world.
"Where two or three are gathered together in my name…."
Everyone understands the language of love when they see it.
The other sacraments (church language) are not universal.

MARY--SACRAMENT TO CHURCH
She (part of the Church) is a unique sacrament to the Church.
Anything we say of Mary we say of the Church.
Anything we say of the Church we say of Mary.
God's first coming--Mary; second coming--the Church.

LITURGY--SEVEN SACRAMENTS TO CHURCH
These acts (parts of the Church) are sacraments to the Church.
Using church language, they tell the Church what it is.
--Baptism: You are a child of God.
--Confirmation: You are empowered by the Spirit.
--Reconciliation: You are forgiven and forgiving.
--Anointing of Sick: You are healing, comforting & life-giving.
--Matrimony: You are faithfully committed to be one flesh.
--Holy Orders: You embody order and stability around Truth.
--Eucharist: You embody and assert the Real Presence right here.

FAITH/DECISION
Only choice is to try control or to surrender

MERCY
"Fortunately, God works with all of it, both the forward and the backward, and that's what bases the whole journey precisely in divine mercy or what the Bible calls 'steadfast love' (hesed)."--Rohr
For me, mercy is love; but, it is love that always never, never, never gives up.

A lot more will be coming on these subjects in future weeks.]

ABSOLUTES THAT WORK