{"id":43324,"date":"2013-02-25T17:18:55","date_gmt":"2013-02-25T17:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/theanchoress\/?p=43324"},"modified":"2017-03-02T21:03:19","modified_gmt":"2017-03-02T21:03:19","slug":"mechanical-man-whats-the-point-of-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/theanchoress\/2013\/02\/25\/mechanical-man-whats-the-point-of-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Mechanical Man: What’s the point of you?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Over the weekend, we watched a little indy film<\/strong> that we liked a lot, The Giant Mechanical Man<\/a>:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=T5D8JMsPk3o<\/a>\n

The protagonists are both struggling<\/strong>, in large part because they are social misfits; in a world that demands you have your goals lined up, your sites set and your trajectories launched without a shred of doubt, they are not sure what they want, what they even like or what they think. All they know is they don\u2019t want to be part of all that doing and going unless it has an authentic relation to their being.<\/p>\n

At one point, they compare notes on friends and family, and one of the characters deplores the modern utilitarian mindset that seems to demand that we justify our existence, that we demonstrate the point and value of our lives in order for them to be permitted and deemed credible enough for respect.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a religious movie, but its head and its heart are in all the right places.<\/p>\n

I thought of it while reading this piece at Tony\u2019s blog<\/a>: <\/p>\n

All too often today, we judge people\u2019s lives not on their inherent value and dignity, but by what they can contribute to the world, by whether or not their lives are a \u201cburden.\u201d Our culture is slipping down a dangerous slope which says that these lives have no purpose and are not worth living. Some even go so far as to deem it \u201ccompassionate\u201d to end these lives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The testimony of real people, though, proves that every life does have value, no matter how powerless that life may seem. . .Over the weekend, [Washington Examiner columnist] Tim Carney shared a beautiful reflection about the meaning of [his nephew\u2019s] life and death.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here\u2019s an excerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. This is our purpose. This view is not uniquely Christian. It\u2019s understood in other religions and in secular worldviews.<\/p>\n

In this regard, John Paul lived a superior life. He exuded love. Before he lost control of his facial muscles, he beamed smiles that made grown men sob. Babies can love those around him with the pure, unconditional love we all should show.<\/p>\n

Also, JP drew love from others. Neighbors, relatives and strangers cooked meals and gave time, equipment and money to help the Kilners. JP\u2019s brothers and sister showered him with affection. And Pat and Elena sacrificed immensely to care for him.<\/p>\n

Before the wake at St. Patrick\u2019s in Rockville, during an observance called Stations of the Cross, we read a Gospel passage in which Christ explains our duty to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,\u201d the Lord says in this passage, \u201cyou did for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clearly a call to charity, this is also an exaltation of parenthood. Even moreso, this exalts the work of caring for helpless JP.<\/p>\n

Tribulations both reveal character and form it. JP\u2019s struggles revealed his parents\u2019 heroic virtue and fostered virtue in others.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the whole article<\/a><\/p>\n

When we reach the point that we measure our lives<\/strong> by how useful they can be, what resources they demand and what credit can be given to a life, we\u2019re dangerously close to gas ovens.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over the weekend, we watched a little indy film that we liked a lot, The Giant Mechanical Man: The protagonists are both struggling, in large part because they are social misfits; in a world that demands you have your goals lined up, your sites set and your trajectories launched without a shred of doubt, they […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[4916,1224],"class_list":["post-43324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-culture-of-lifedeath","tag-culture-of-life","tag-utilitarianism"],"yoast_head":"\nMechanical Man: What's the point of you?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Over the weekend, we watched a little indy film that we liked a lot, The Giant Mechanical Man: The protagonists are both struggling, in large part because\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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