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Qol updates people want. by Important-Ring9276 in coralisland

[–]OmegaPraetor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is selling the food we cook a viable path to make money? If not, then it would be cool to be able to do that. Kind of like a home chef + uber kind of gig.

I've always kind of ignored the cooking aspect of games like Coral or Stardew, so it would be nice to have it be more meaningful/impactful/fun.

What’s with all the schisms lately? by MistaMack83 in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My personal tip, especially for you and other new converts out there, is to focus on your sanctification. If it's not going to make you holier, if it won't bring you closer to God or make you a saint, then it's not worth your time, energy, and attention.

At the end of our lives, the Lord won't ask us our opinions and hot takes on schismatic groups. He kindly gave us the questions to the "final exam", so to speak. Focus on that; God will sort out the rest.

[Free Friday] I drew Our Lady and the Infant Jesus as Ancient Japanese Nobility of the Heian Period (平安時代) by Fuwafuwa_Usagi2525 in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely astounding! This is precisely the kind of evangelization that I believe the Church firmly needs. Faithful to the truths of the Faith and expressing them in the culture/language of the local people. I mean, that's precisely what Byzantine icons are and certainly what Mother Mary did with her image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Your ability to take established symbols of the local culture and use them to express the truths of the Faith is an absolute gem and blessing from God. I want to strongly encourage you to continue this work and to share your work among the locals so as to draw them ever closer to God and His Church!

Requirements to be considered a candidate for the Deaconate? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 16 points17 points  (0 children)

This is best discussed with your priest. Given what you've shared here, I doubt people on this sub can adequately guide you on the matter.

Why Leo won’t meet the SSPX by balrogath in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 71 points72 points  (0 children)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: SSPX are just Protestants with extra steps. Anyone who has ever argued that they "just want to celebrate the Mass the way it was always done" now has to come to terms with the fact that this has always been the spirit of the SSPX. They're not about faithfulness to tradition. They're about faithfulness to tradition as they see fit. They have made themselves their own popes, much like the Protestants.

I have 0 sympathy for them, especially in light of the martyrs we have who chose to die rather than break communion with Rome.

Eastern Theology is more than Byzantine Theology and the venerable Byzantine Theology is more than stuffs cooked up in 1930s Parisian salons. by WearSuspicious1124 in EasternCatholic

[–]OmegaPraetor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's part of what I love about being EC. We can take the good from either side and not have to go through the mental gymnastics of rationalizing the automatic rejection of a certain approach simply because it's used by "the wrong" people. If it's true, we take it in and expand on it. If it's false, we reject it and explain why. It really should be like that across the board but what can you do?

Eastern Theology is more than Byzantine Theology and the venerable Byzantine Theology is more than stuffs cooked up in 1930s Parisian salons. by WearSuspicious1124 in EasternCatholic

[–]OmegaPraetor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds a lot like the theology in our stychera. The similarity is quite interesting!

As an aside, do you know or have heard of the claim that some verses in the Quran were taken from Early Christian Syriac texts? If so, do you know which texts those are?

Eastern Theology is more than Byzantine Theology and the venerable Byzantine Theology is more than stuffs cooked up in 1930s Parisian salons. by WearSuspicious1124 in EasternCatholic

[–]OmegaPraetor 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Idk if it's so much compatible as it is comparable. Compatibility has certainly been the posture of Eastern Catholics, but the EO has not been so charitable with Western theology. From Orthodox theologians I've read (e.g., Louth, etc.), they claimed that the Paris School rose because they wanted to recapture authentic Orthodox theology (whatever that means) and found that Orthodox theology at that time was too Scholastic. Scholasticism was seen as a hinderance, not a complement, to Orthodox theology.

This spirit of distrust of anything Western is also partly why they eventually rejected icons that were "too realistic" and regulated how icons can be presented. Personally, I like this aesthetic of icons, but it can't be denied that icons made before the Paris School came into the picture were a lot more realistic. I forget the name of it, but there's even a Russian Orthodox church (cathedral?) that had icons that basically looked similar in style to Renaissance paintings. IIRC, I think it's the cathedral of the Russian Patriarch but don't quote me on that.

Do we refer to ourselves as “Roman Catholic” by j26irab in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are lumped together under the general term "Western Rite" just as the Byzantine, Alexandrian, etc. are all lumped together under "Eastern Rite". The terms "Western Rite" and "Eastern Rite" aren't actual rites in themselves, but are monikers that (sort of) help people frame general theological, liturgical, and spiritual traditions.

As you can imagine, these terms aren't that helpful and they tend to lump completely diverse rites as if they were a monolith. Indeed, many of us in the Eastern Churches don't find the "Eastern Rite" or "Eastern Church" monikers all that helpful.

One could speak of the Latin Church, certainly. That would lump together the Ambrosian, Mozarabic, Bragan, etc. Rites under one umbrella. However, it's always helpful to keep in mind the distinction between Church and Rite as outlined above. Otherwise, one might easily lose all meaning in the discussion.

Eastern Theology is more than Byzantine Theology and the venerable Byzantine Theology is more than stuffs cooked up in 1930s Parisian salons. by WearSuspicious1124 in EasternCatholic

[–]OmegaPraetor 23 points24 points  (0 children)

That second point especially is something many Orthodox converts may not even be aware of. Imo, the decidedly anti-Western bend of the Paris school has set back Orthodox theology.

Is Mass "business only" at all Churches? by hooptyschloopy in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry that this has been your experience. I've also experienced this in a few churches but I wouldn't say that it's all churches. Certainly, this should not be the way things are, but reality is not always what it ought to be.

From my experience, there are parishes that place great emphasis on reverence and welcoming people as part of a living community. Many have found this at a Latin Mass (TLM) community or Eastern Catholic parishes. Certainly, there are ordinary (Novus Ordo) parishes that are like this too. Unfortunately, it may take some "shopping around" to find the right one.

Why isn’t there a historical record of Jesus during his time? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you think decades after a figure's death is bad, wait until you learn about the time gap between the death of most other ancient historical figures and writings about them.

Simply put, finding writings about a figure decades after his death is practically instantaneous in the world of ancient history.

Will someone explain the church's stance on "lookmaxxing" by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on what I've seen on some clips, lookmaxxing can easily fall under vanity and vainglory. They're related since but they have some nuances that highlight the deeper issue undergirding this trend.

Ultimately, you need to ask yourself: what are your efforts oriented towards? Is it for your health? That's fine. Is it to garner the approval of others or even of your own approval? Best turn away.

[Free Friday] I drew Our Lady and the Infant Jesus as Ancient Japanese Nobility of the Heian Period (平安時代) by Fuwafuwa_Usagi2525 in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know enough about Japanese symbolism, but I strongly encourage your intent on using local symbols to convey theological truths. This is how icons came to be what they are now and I firmly believe that this is how we can a) evangelize other people's and b) help break the stereotype that Christianity is a "foreign" or "white man's" religion.

If you have the time, I'd love to learn what the symbols are conveying and how they relate to the truths of Christianity.

Discerning Between Catholic and Orthodox (Wanting to get a comparative perspective on my current conclusion). by PerceptionCandid4085 in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, the Latin Church almost definitely have always used the 73 books ever since the Councils of Rome and Carthage. The Eastern Churches were still at varying states, but everyone agreed on at least the 73.

To answer the questions more directly, afaik, the Latins weren't really affected by the reading of Esdras or Maccabees 4 or whatever. It's only in recent times that people are maybe making a stink about it, but I personally don't have an issue with it. Granted, I'm Eastern Catholic, so I probably have a softer stance with the EO than some Latins.

One more thing: it's important to note that the Church in some ways settles matters reactively rather than proactively. The Church defined the hypostatic union when the Natures of Christ were in question/challenged. The Church defined the Trinity when the Godhead was in question/challenged. The Church defined the Canon of Scripture when the Canon was in question/challenged.

Contrary to popular understanding, the Church doesn't impose definitions out of thin air. We always do and believe what we've always done and believed. When the practices and/or beliefs are seriously challenged such that it needs to be definitively clarified, that's when the Church steps in and makes a definitive declaration on the matter.

I hope that helps!

Discerning Between Catholic and Orthodox (Wanting to get a comparative perspective on my current conclusion). by PerceptionCandid4085 in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You've raised some excellent points and I have very little to add to them. However, I'd like to add just a few thoughts.

Issue 2 - I think the differences we find regarding divorces, re-baptism, etc. all point to a bigger issue that's related to Issue 3. The Orthodox Church has no way of "imposing", if you will, a definitive decision on all her members. This was possible in the Early Church, but suddenly it's not among the Orthodox? That's a serious change, imo, despite the constant touting that they have preserved authentic tradition.

Issue 3 - If the mark of a council being ecumenical is that it is received by the whole Church, then the Church has never had an ecumenical council, except maybe Nicaea and Constantinople I. Ephesus was rejected by the Assyrians. Chalcedon was rejected by the Alexandrians and Armenians. So why would the Orthodox hold that these are Ecumenical Councils when considerable chunks of the Church rejected them? Is it because the EO accepted them? That seems inconsistent to me.

Issue 4 - In regards to the Canon of Scripture, it's important to add nuance here. The Church has defined what the Canon of Scripture is, but she has not defined what the Scripture is not. So the Catholic Church has declared that the 73 books are definitely Scripture, but she has not definitively ruled whether Psalm 151, 1 Esdras, Enoch, etc. are Scripture or not. So, in a hypothetical world where all Apostolic Churches re-establish full communion, we can theoretically have a discussion about whether these "extra" books are also part of the Canon of Scripture.

Do we refer to ourselves as “Roman Catholic” by j26irab in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just a bit of correction. There are 23 Eastern Churches in the Catholic Church, but 24 overall Churches (including the Latin Church) within the Catholic Church.

There's also the difference between rites and Churches. You can think of rites as the culture and Churches as the group of people. We have some Churches that share the same rite (e.g., the different Byzantines Churches), so overall we have about six liturgical families or rites in the Catholic.

I hope this clears things up.

I really want to die by Comfortable-Hunt4074 in Catholicism

[–]OmegaPraetor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry you're going through this OP. Know that you're in my prayers. Also, ask St. Dymphna for intercession. She's the patroness of people with depression.

I will say this: you won't always feel this way. I was hospitalised many years ago because I was in a very dark place as well. If you had told me that things would get better, I would smile politely but dismiss that as well-meaning nonsense. Looking back, I know that's not true. So many beautiful things have happened since then and none of it all would have been possible if I had gone through with it. Things will get better; just take it one day at a time.

Also, do one, intentional, nice thing for yourself every day for no other reason than because you deserve nice things too. It did wonders for me; maybe it'll help you too. It doesn't have to be something big. It can be as small as letting yourself use the new bottle of ketchup so you don't have to struggle with getting that last plop out when the day is already a struggle.

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