...so, self-awareness and freedom of action are key problem areas in the Borg way of life. In fact, in a subsequent encounter with the Borg--named in the narrative re-telling of the mission logs as, "I, Borg"--the crew of the Enterprise realizes that a Borg who has become self-aware ought not to be used to destroy all Borg, aside from the questionable ethics of doing it in the absence of that awareness.
For one thing then, the Borg show us that our flesh--I mean the word literally, not spiritually--is not what makes us human. They regard purely artificial life-forms as inferior. But to disrespect and deny that basic self-determination, that individuation, is to deny something at the core of our being. (Different species in the Star Trek universe are simply a medium to talk about human cultural differences.)
Quite frankly, I don't see how theosis approaches this. If we take the sacramental life as a guide--because in it, we get partial realization and a preview of our eschatological selves--it doesn't even come close. I'm still me at every step. God is certainly changing me, and some of the mystical reflections could lend credence to the fear we are discussing. But I cannot think of any theological formulation or goal in the spiritual life that wants to obliterate the Creator-creature distinction.
Rather, being fully Catholic is like being on a winning baseball team, like the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Not everyone is Albert Pujols, or for this season, Carlos Beltran. Perhaps you are the spiritual and logistical equivalent of Nick Punto (a back-up middle infielder who typically played in the late innings as a defensive replacement). But your team needs you in any case. Punto and Pujols were not absorbed into The Great Cardinal or something. Every single person had a task; every one was indispensable. And those parts working together made them all better as individuals. This is why the asking prices of all the players on such teams go way up. But the goal is to be fully you. I will be me, no matter how much needs to change about me.
Resistance to the Catholic Church is definitely futile, when she brings all her "weapons" of credibility, sanctity, and testimony to bear. But when you get assimilated, you're not a drone; you come alive. I laugh when I think today of all the different choices I have to love someone in Christ. And to think that the joy of Heaven will be this multiplied infinitely! Bring on the theosis!
For one thing then, the Borg show us that our flesh--I mean the word literally, not spiritually--is not what makes us human. They regard purely artificial life-forms as inferior. But to disrespect and deny that basic self-determination, that individuation, is to deny something at the core of our being. (Different species in the Star Trek universe are simply a medium to talk about human cultural differences.)
Quite frankly, I don't see how theosis approaches this. If we take the sacramental life as a guide--because in it, we get partial realization and a preview of our eschatological selves--it doesn't even come close. I'm still me at every step. God is certainly changing me, and some of the mystical reflections could lend credence to the fear we are discussing. But I cannot think of any theological formulation or goal in the spiritual life that wants to obliterate the Creator-creature distinction.
Rather, being fully Catholic is like being on a winning baseball team, like the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Not everyone is Albert Pujols, or for this season, Carlos Beltran. Perhaps you are the spiritual and logistical equivalent of Nick Punto (a back-up middle infielder who typically played in the late innings as a defensive replacement). But your team needs you in any case. Punto and Pujols were not absorbed into The Great Cardinal or something. Every single person had a task; every one was indispensable. And those parts working together made them all better as individuals. This is why the asking prices of all the players on such teams go way up. But the goal is to be fully you. I will be me, no matter how much needs to change about me.
Resistance to the Catholic Church is definitely futile, when she brings all her "weapons" of credibility, sanctity, and testimony to bear. But when you get assimilated, you're not a drone; you come alive. I laugh when I think today of all the different choices I have to love someone in Christ. And to think that the joy of Heaven will be this multiplied infinitely! Bring on the theosis!
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