Alive

"The glory of God is man fully alive." -St. Irenaeus

This is an oft-quoted statement from one of the early Church fathers, but I wonder how many people have thought about what it fully means. I would think that all of us, whether religious or not, would want to live our lives "fully alive." To be fully alive, I think it naturally follows that we must be fully human, because that is what we are. A tree cannot be fully alive by trying to be a flower, or a mountain, or a butterfly (indulge me in my anthropomorphizing). Man cannot be fully alive unless he is fully man (or woman).

Blessed John Paul the Great, before he was pope, was a great philosopher and spent much time and energy developing an anthropology that drew from ancient Greece to Jesus to modern day. In Gaudium et Spes, which he had a large part in writing, we learn that “Man is the only creature on earth which God willed for
itself, [and he] cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.” (GS 24) I don't have the knowledge or ability to defend that statement as it deserves, but I do know that my own experience has shown this to be true. JPII also said that "to be human means to be called to interpersonal communion." If you take it from a religious perspective, it makes sense that, created in the image of the Trinitarian communion, we would only find fulfillment in relationship with others and God. From a biologic, psychologic, philosophical perspective, we are the only beings capable of conscious thought, with a will and an intellect, able to experience love.  Man does not make sense in isolation, only in communion.

So we can see that man, "fully alive", must be in relationship, and that relationship can not be one of selfishness and utilitarianism. Communion can only be achieved through self-gift and a receiving of that gift. So much of today's world facilitates relationships that give me something, that I profit from, and that allow me to rise in the standards of the world--wealth, beauty, power--which, as you'll notice, are not what it means to be "fully alive."

It's counter-intuitive only because there are so few voices for truth, and the voices of the world are so loud. If you stop to really think about it, it's completely intuitive. It's a challenge that I continue to take upon myself to live in a way that will help me become the best version of myself, the most fully-alive version of myself. Which is to say the version that gives of myself, is in communion with others and with the God who created me in His image.

Home Sweet Home

Things I did in my first 24(ish) hours in the state:
-Nap (very important first step)
-Avery Brewing Co's The Reverend Quad (mmm)
-Meet Lucy, the newest family member
-Breakfast with the twin, good coffee, Sunday paper
-Mass at STM
-Open house to see lots of fun people
-Cook Greek food
-Stuff my face with said Greek food, plus Mary's seven layer cake, out on the back deck with the mountains as a backdrop

Success.

Take a good look around...

As I wind down my final hours in the city too big for one state, I'm trying to cram 3 years of memories into something a little more manageable. Besides the obvious residency events and people that I will miss so very dearly (and because it makes me too sad to think about it), I've tried to come up with a highlight reel of sorts for the city itself. And so here is my list...

Things That Weren't Able to Keep Me Away From the Mountains For Very Long (but that I will still miss)

The Z-Man. After trying probably most of the top BBQ joints in the city, I can definitively say that Oklahoma Joe's is my FAVORITE. Like don't leave a single fry crumb or drop of BBQ sauce on the tissue paper favorite. And I will dream about that onion ring perched atop a mountain of brisket and provolone, slathered in half regular/half spicy goodness, the perfectly seasoned fries, and the baked beans that are a meal in themselves. Too bad it probably doesn't ship well.

Fireflies and greenery. I know that in general, humidity is evil, but I will miss the walks in the park after dinner with overbearing foliage and flocks of lightning bugs. Reminds me of Grandma's house.

The Plaza. Let's be honest. All you really had to say was four-story Barnes and Noble and free parking and I would be there. Throw in dozens of shops that I actually don't mind setting foot in, a handful of decent eateries, and the best Christmas lights in the city, and it's even better. Plenty of days off spent window shopping. Or real shopping. And the Art Fair? Yes, please. Give me this over Park Meadows eight days a week.

Getting through the airport in less than 15 minutes. DIA is pretty much everything I loathe about air travel. I'll trade the abundance of post-security food options for the ease of walking right to my gate every time. All this is supposed to be changing, so I may not have anything to miss. Too bad. Throw fairly manageable roads in here as well, both traffic and ease of travel. KC is WAY more navigable than Denver, and I will miss the sense of freedom that comes with that.

Tank 7 on tap. 'Nuff said.

But really, compare that to mountains, blue skies, family, no humidity, mountains, more microbrews than you can count, the Broncos, family, Coors Field, mountains, the new puppy...you get the picture. I'm ready to be home. But I'll be back.