Film Review

Once
2006
Independant


Objective Rating: 7
Subjective Rating: 8
Miles Rating: 8

An awesome movie. Beautiful czech girl is one of the main characters. It takes place in Ireland and is about two musicians who become friends. The soundtrack is INCREDIBLE. Really awesome, emotional folk songs (sounds a bit like Cat Stevens). Good ending, great acting.

Response

I think seeking the common good for your self, and for others is ideal. To serve others best and to bring yourself to completion, it's important to respond to God's calling for you. Not in a utilitarian way neccesarily.

I say "both" as opposed to one or the other.

Here's a question for debate:

Is doing what is best for the world, or the common good, what is best for yourself? Or is doing what is best for yourself what is best for the world?

In other words, if I did everything I could for the common good of humanity, or the universe, and always sacrificed my own desires and pleasures - stopping only to eat and sleep - would this, in turn and paradoxically, best fulfill my own spirit?

Or, would seeking what is good and right for myself at all times - what promotes my own growth and happiness - best lead others toward the good, and therefore be the best possible action of mine for the common good?

Is it somehow both? Is it neither? Where should the emphasis be applied? How does this relate to politics and other beliefs?



This can be rhetorical if no one has a response or if it is too big of a question.

Response

Kenny:

Interesting reflection. I'm interested in reading that story. Flannery is awesome. (and thanks for the Walker video, I didn't picture him looking like that.)

A brief response (just my thoughts, nothing coherent or organized, just off the top of my head):

What also comes to mind also is the gospel that "you can't serve two masters. You can't serve both God and Mammon". There is definitely a division that exists within many (most?) humans. I would like to read more about that novel to see how its portrayed in that character, but I find that if we are divided eventually it leads to unbearable conflict (as least in my experience it did).

It's relevant to mention, in response to the "many has many wills competing" (very intersting) statement from Flannery. We have within us:
The Spirit of God (union, communion, unity, patience, peace, joy, gentlessness, humility, Maine)
The Spirit of the World (riches, pride, fame, wealth)
The SPirit of the Flesh (lust, gluttony, exessive comfort, promiscuity)
The Spirit of the Enemy (accusation, fear, division, terror, rage, )

These spirits are always at a conflict. Sometimes there can be blends of some. The desires of the world aren't always totally bad (desire for a few days relaxing on the beach?) but that's where discernment comes in I guess.

I agree: prayer, art, literature definitely transforms consiousness (even sub/unconsiousness- I often have dreams where I intentionally turn away from a temptatino as I would if I was awake- which is a result of prayer). It affects those things you mentioned (spontaneity).

I think transforming grace is always propelling us toward completion. Completion of what we were created for. More on this later.

O'Connor quote

In Flannery O'Connor's preface to Wise Blood, she says

"For them (many readers) Hazel Motes' (the main character) integrity lies in his trying with such vigor to get rid of the ragged figure (Jesus) who moves from tree to tree in the back of his mind. For the author (O'Connor herself) Hazel's integrity lies in his not being able to. Does one's integrity ever lie in what he is not able to do? I think it usually does, for free will does not mean one will, but many wills conflicting in one man. Freedom cannot be conceived simply. It is a mystery and one which a novel, even a comic novel, can only be asked to deepen."

Does this mean that the character chooses Christ, in a sense, even without wanting to? even while setting up the "Church of Christ without Christ"?

The "many wills conflicting in one man" makes me think of discernment of spirits and things like that. The idea of trying to not choose wrong and instead choosing right is the reversal of Paul's "I do want that which I dont want to do, and dont do that which I do."

The whole idea also gives a sense of how things like literature, art, and prayer can change you internally - even when you seem to desire the same things. Perhaps a part of you chooses Christ, but outwardly you continue to want to behave a certain way. The conflict between the different choices will affect things like your inhibitions and your spontaneity.


...

Walker Percy -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6jaJy3gL2I&feature=related

nothing exciting, but he's the man

New Liturgical Translations

There is to be a new Roman Missle with more precise translations for the English speaking Catholics within the next two years. I sat in on a meeting of liturgists the other day. I found it to be an interesting.

Here is a link to the new translations.
http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/missalformation/index.shtml

Example:

The Lord be with you
And with your Spirit (instead of "and also with you").

Quote

"C.S. Lewis has done the best job portraying Christ (in Asland the Lion) as allegory in all of Literary History. No other fictional character so closely portrays Christ as Asland. The reader relates to the Lion as the apostles did to Jesus"
-Peter Kreeft (paraphrased)



WHERE HAS MILES CARITAS GONE???
-We haven't heard from many of you in some time now...???

R George

I think we should invite Professor George to be a regular contributor to Miles Caritas.