Kevin Kroll
wrote:
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Hi guys,
- Is there anything wrong with having a hobby or something
you are really passionate about?
- Are they worldly?
My theology teacher was saying that one Pope or bishop in
history was worldly and that he hunted people and partied a lot.
Kevin
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{
Is there anything wrong with having a hobby or being really passionate
about something? }
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John replied:
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Hi Kevin,
Several Popes have been some of the worst sinners. That doesn't make
a hobby or a passion, in and of itself, wrong. In fact, God made the Sabbath
because He knew we needed rest and recreation. It is part of our covenant
with Him.
One's passion is usually a good sign of what God has called a person to
do with their life.
- If someone is passionate about the law, then perhaps God is calling
that person to be lawyer in order to fight for justice.
- If someone is passionate about music, then God could be calling him
to use that passion to His Glory.
It is possible that passion, or a hobby, could become a disordered attachment.
If you're so passionate about sports that you put, watching or playing
a game, over worship or spending time with loved ones, the attachment could
be a form of idolatry. That is always a danger.
It's up to you to discern if that's the case through prayer and meditation.
Hope this helps,
John D.
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Kevin replied:
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Thanks John,
I am still worried that it is sinful to have a passion for architecture.
- Just to clarify, there's nothing wrong with liking fancy, modern skyscrapers
as long as God is number one in your life?
Kevin
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John replied:
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Kevin,
Passions are not disorders, in and of themselves, so long as they are not intrinsically
sinful.
I don't think this is the real issue you are dealing with. At this point, you really
need to find a good priest that would be willing to be your spiritual director.
I say this with
all charity. Your problem is not love for architecture, your problem
appears to be scrupulosity. That means you seem to obsessed that everything
you do, like, or find enjoyable is sin.
This, my dear brother, is not healthy.
You need someone who can show you how to get your eyes off yourself, and
your perceived shortcomings, and on Jesus Christ the author and perfecter
of your faith.
John
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Mary Ann replied:
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Hi Kevin,
There is nothing wrong with a passion for anything good.
Take
your passion to the Lord and ask Him to enlighten you on how He would like
you to use it or develop it.
Mary Ann
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Bob replied:
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Kevin,
There is nothing wrong with your passion. Human Beings have a natural
inclination toward the aesthetic, and this fascination of yours is merely
an expression of that.
Art has always played on this innate quality of
man, drawing his mind to the ultimate beauty in the Creator, who gives
us the fulfillment of our imagination.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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