Full Transcript for Your Creativity Comes from the Creator

Beethoven did. In the 00:01:49.510 --> 00:01:52.750 created world, only humans build amazing things, 00:01:52.989 --> 00:01:55.489 color amazing artwork, write amazing and poetic 00:01:55.489 --> 00:01:58.750 words, and compose amazing music. We don't just 00:01:58.750 --> 00:02:01.069 create things or survive like the animals do. 00:02:01.170 --> 00:02:04.450 We create to thrive, to be inspired, to tell 00:02:04.450 --> 00:02:07.329 truths, to live adventures. Humans tell great 00:02:07.329 --> 00:02:09.590 stories because we understand that we are in 00:02:09.590 --> 00:02:13.569 a story and God is the author. We create to seek 00:02:13.569 --> 00:02:16.590 the creator and reveal his mystery to the world. 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:19.979 Dragons are too arrogant to be God's instruments. 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:22.900 They want to control everything, and since they 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:26.240 can't be creators, they become corruptors. Since 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:29.740 they can't make, they mock. While you are creating, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:33.139 God is creating you. It can look messy and chaotic 00:02:33.139 --> 00:02:35.979 for a while, but don't worry, God always finishes 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:38.879 the good work he starts in each one of us. So 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:41.120 you can't be afraid to fail. You can't compare 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.479 yourself to others. You can't be afraid to try. 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:46.259 Sing those songs if God puts it on your heart. 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:49.379 Draw those pictures. Write those stories. What 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:51.759 really made me reflect on creation today was 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:53.979 a birthday gift I received from my 19 -year -old 00:02:53.979 --> 00:02:56.360 daughter, Lady Hannah. Lady Hannah is one of 00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:58.919 the most contemplative, creative people I know. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:01.180 She has a way with words and a way with art. 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:03.860 She is the one who drew the seven deadly dragons 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:06.719 from her imagination. She also drew all the saints 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:09.729 featured in our stories. And I saw how the dragons 00:03:09.729 --> 00:03:12.090 tried to stop her from creating during those 00:03:12.090 --> 00:03:14.870 years. I saw how they tried to drag her down 00:03:14.870 --> 00:03:17.789 and make her think she was no good. It was obvious 00:03:17.789 --> 00:03:19.729 that they didn't want her to blow their cover 00:03:19.729 --> 00:03:23.310 and put light on their darkness. But she persevered, 00:03:23.349 --> 00:03:25.770 and now the dragons can't stop her from creating. 00:03:26.430 --> 00:03:29.289 The birthday gift she gave me was a poem. But 00:03:29.289 --> 00:03:31.610 not just any poem, it's a poem telling the story 00:03:31.610 --> 00:03:34.289 of the Tournament of the Ages from Book 7 of 00:03:34.289 --> 00:03:37.479 the Seven Daily Dragons. But like All artists, 00:03:37.580 --> 00:03:40.259 and like all great cathedrals, her poem has so 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:42.620 much hidden meaning not immediately visible to 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.060 the human eye, meaning which brings the glory 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:48.580 back to God. Based on the structure from Dante's 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:52.060 Divine Comedy, this poem has a rhyme pattern. 00:03:52.580 --> 00:03:55.460 It has 33 sets of three, and the pattern in the 00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:58.439 last set goes back to the first set, making the 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:01.319 poem circular. The threes represent the Holy 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:03.800 Trinity, and the circle represents eternity. 00:04:04.189 --> 00:04:06.789 If you don't understand all that, that's okay. 00:04:07.469 --> 00:04:09.889 Unpacking the meaning and symbolism and mystery 00:04:09.889 --> 00:04:12.449 of a creation over time is what makes it in the 00:04:12.449 --> 00:04:15.530 image of God. It's why poems and stories and 00:04:15.530 --> 00:04:18.870 music stand the test of time. Before Lady Hannah 00:04:18.870 --> 00:04:21.550 reads her masterpiece, I just want to give a 00:04:21.550 --> 00:04:23.850 spoiler alert for anybody who has not read the 00:04:23.850 --> 00:04:27.329 entire seven book series. This gives the ending 00:04:27.329 --> 00:04:31.220 to the Tournament of the Ages. So. Without further 00:04:31.220 --> 00:04:34.120 ado, here is the poem, The Tournament of the 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:39.149 Ages by Lady Hannah Grace. Lo, the light has 00:04:39.149 --> 00:04:42.230 dawned again. Behold, the newborn day. Seeds 00:04:42.230 --> 00:04:44.709 lads and knighted fill the church To bow and 00:04:44.709 --> 00:04:47.850 praise and pray. For only there before the Lord 00:04:47.850 --> 00:04:51.009 Can end the endless search, And every soldier's 00:04:51.009 --> 00:04:54.399 longing heart For healing health and worth. And 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:57.100 as the mass comes to an end, The games come to 00:04:57.100 --> 00:05:00.100 a start. With blessing for each color's crest, 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:03.410 e 'er to the field they all depart. Upon each 00:05:03.410 --> 00:05:05.870 head the hands were laid, the holy hands most 00:05:05.870 --> 00:05:08.870 blessed. Of that good father Thomas, now the 00:05:08.870 --> 00:05:12.709 bishop of Red Radicus. And red it was, the leader's 00:05:12.709 --> 00:05:15.550 crest, young Rolland's head did bow. Receiving 00:05:15.550 --> 00:05:18.250 that bright surcoat bold, my blessing, wear it 00:05:18.250 --> 00:05:21.750 well. Thus were the words the bishop spoke, Red's 00:05:21.750 --> 00:05:24.709 humble meaning told. He makes the holy sign, 00:05:24.730 --> 00:05:27.850 and then he speaks the holy words of old. In 00:05:27.850 --> 00:05:30.990 nomine Patres et Fili et Spiritus Sancti, Amen, 00:05:31.149 --> 00:05:34.370 Amen, Amen. The next young soldier to receive 00:05:34.370 --> 00:05:37.879 is Topher 6 -8, Roland's friend. And tell me 00:05:37.879 -->

00:05:40.279 bright young maiden fair, brave youth doth ye 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:43.180 believe? There ever were two friends more dear 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:46.790 since Saul's son's death David did grieve? And 00:05:46.790 --> 00:05:49.269 see the surcoat Topher wears, all gathered there 00:05:49.269 --> 00:05:52.550 doth hear? Is good and true and beautiful the 00:05:52.550 --> 00:05:56.209 bright orange flame best fires fear? The Signum 00:05:56.209 --> 00:05:58.829 Crucis prayed again, again, all hearts are full. 00:05:59.449 --> 00:06:02.310 As on to yellow moves the line, Apollo Tarsus 00:06:02.310 --> 00:06:05.649 claims his role. Of passion, zeal, and light 00:06:05.649 --> 00:06:09.269 sublime, oh, wear it well, my son. Next is green, 00:06:09.310 --> 00:06:11.850 for heaven's gift, that earthly wealth cannot 00:06:11.850 --> 00:06:15.300 outshine. Landon the Plane accepts his part, 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:18.839 with colors green to run. And Bishop Thomas blesses 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:22.490 him with words that cannot be undone. Next is 00:06:22.490 --> 00:06:25.860 Billy Gruff, most steady set upon the wind. Twixt 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:28.519 him and Roland Paterlotte, off strife runs past 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:31.649 and o 'er the brim. Yet blue of strife and blue 00:06:31.649 --> 00:06:34.930 of peace have mingled now and caught. The contest 00:06:34.930 --> 00:06:39.370 now set to begin, the prizes boldly sought. And 00:06:39.370 --> 00:06:41.689 see, the only boy who has not bet that should 00:06:41.689 --> 00:06:44.610 he win, he should receive what based the light, 00:06:44.750 --> 00:06:48.310 a kiss from violet Flavian. Is Billy Gruff, to 00:06:48.310 --> 00:06:51.689 indigo the prayers now come forthright. Myaswell 00:06:51.689 --> 00:06:54.470 wears the mystery and Nausher is the violet knight. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:58.120 Haste now to the field to see who earns the victory. 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:01.699 My lords and ladies, welcome in, the bishop booms 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:05.680 sonorously. In seven tests must seven boys be 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.800 tried before one wins. The first test will be 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:12.279 Traitor Tag. Oh, let the games begin. The crowd 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:15.120 erupts. The boys all race, the seven stones to 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:18.319 snag. The bishop does himself pursue them, swift 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:22.000 as any stag. May as well nausea Topher Tagged, 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:25.110 Roland tells his friend. Paulo, take the green 00:07:25.110 --> 00:07:28.319 stone, I will be the diversion. And though the 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:31.259 plan does get him tagged, first placed is Roland 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:35.160 O. By sacrificing for the rest, we call that 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:38.079 martyrdom. The bishop says, on with the games, 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:41.459 the score climbs test to test. Roland, Paulo, 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:44.660 Billy, Roland, now they're neck

and neck. Roland 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:47.360 to Billy, no one close, a better score did land. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:50.300 The third round of test seven is a shoot -off, 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:53.970 man to man. Billy has the lead if Roland loses 00:07:53.970 --> 00:07:57.629 see the cost the title of grand champion to pay 00:07:57.629 --> 00:08:00.990 a lot is lost three points to Billy three to 00:08:00.990 --> 00:08:04.170 Roland one more Roland is bring a bonus round 00:08:04.170 --> 00:08:07.730 to steal their fate come arrows knocked on strings 00:08:07.730 --> 00:08:10.389 Dragon's Eye Dragon's Eye two perfect hits they 00:08:10.389 --> 00:08:14.410 make they move it back to go again as Billy shoots 00:08:14.410 --> 00:08:18.230 his bowstring breaks The crowd goes still cross 00:08:18.230 --> 00:08:21.410 Billy's face comes devastated pain The wind is 00:08:21.410 --> 00:08:24.129 Roland's for the taking. He steps up, pulls back, 00:08:24.410 --> 00:08:28.209 aims. The dragon's pale unblinking eye, as in 00:08:28.209 --> 00:08:31.550 his dreams, now waking. Roland sets within his 00:08:31.550 --> 00:08:34.289 sights. He sees himself, the good shot, making. 00:08:35.330 --> 00:08:37.789 Yet, ere he lets his arrow fly, he sees again 00:08:37.789 --> 00:08:40.909 that fight. For there re -rose the dragon dark, 00:08:41.049 --> 00:08:44.669 and came to aid him, heaven's light. Lo, Philomena 00:08:44.669 --> 00:08:48.250 leans to whisper, Roland, take your mark. He 00:08:48.250 --> 00:08:52.029 breathes in deep, lets fly, and hits. The violet 00:08:52.029 --> 00:08:55.690 dragon in the heart. The crowd is stunned. The 00:08:55.690 --> 00:08:57.889 shot was straight. How could the lad have missed? 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.179 But Rolland smiles at the lights and Billy's 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:04.950 face re -lit. Billy Gruff, the only one who stood 00:09:04.950 --> 00:09:08.250 for what was right. Rolland shakes his brother's 00:09:08.250 --> 00:09:11.879 hand. Good show and what a fight. Billy is the 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:15.330 winner, Bishop Thomas Booms voiced grand. But 00:09:15.330 --> 00:09:18.600 to Rolland he does softly say. Well done, good 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:24.139 night. Good man. And there you have it. The poem 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:27.639 from Lady Hannah. So here's my challenge. I want 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.980 to encourage each and every one of you to prayerfully 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:32.700 consider what God is calling you to create with 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:35.440 your own unique gifts and talents. Don't worry 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:37.940 about how good it is. Nobody starts off building 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:40.600 a cathedral or painting a masterpiece. Nobody 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:43.240 plays beautiful music on the piano on day one. 00:09:43.409 --> 00:09:46.629 It takes time and effort and practice and repetition 00:09:46.629 --> 00:09:50.590 and patience to master any craft. I bet if you 00:09:50.590 -->

00:09:52.950 draw a picture for your mom, she will be so happy 00:09:52.950 --> 00:09:55.110 and proud of you, she'll hang it on the fridge, 00:09:55.309 --> 00:09:57.289 even if your older brother gets attacked by a 00:09:57.289 --> 00:10:00.149 dragon and tells you it's no good. In the same 00:10:00.149 --> 00:10:03.070 way, God hangs every piece of art you ever create 00:10:03.070 --> 00:10:06.629 on his fridge. Here's the thing, by using your 00:10:06.629 --> 00:10:08.929 gifts and talents and allowing God to create 00:10:08.929 --> 00:10:11.600 through you, You start off as the instrument, 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:15.059 but you end up as the masterpiece. Regardless 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:18.440 of what your creation looks like. Remember, God 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:22.600 is the creator. You are his masterpiece. And 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:24.600 until next week, I'll leave you under the protection 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:26.980 of St. Michael the Great Archangel, St. Joseph 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:29.179 the Tear of Dragons, and Mary, Queen of the Angels, 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:32.940 Our Lady of Grace, and the woman whose seed crushed 00:10:33.190 --> 00:10:37.710 ahead of the dragon. Hey everybody, Sir Topher 00:10:37.710 --> 00:10:40.029 here. As I mentioned on the last podcast, Sir 00:10:40.029 --> 00:10:43.230 Roland has written a a new book called How to 00:10:43.230 --> 00:10:45.889 Slay Your Dragons. We can't wait to announce 00:10:45.889 --> 00:10:48.590 the release date for this book. Now, alongside 00:10:48.590 --> 00:10:50.649 the book, we've also been working on a brand 00:10:50.649 --> 00:10:55.049 new website called 7deadlydragons .com. 7deadlydragons 00:10:55.049 --> 00:10:57.450 .com with the number seven, if you're typing 00:10:57.450 --> 00:10:59.950 it in your browser. This website is going to 00:10:59.950 --> 00:11:02.629 be a place for families, schools, and parishes 00:11:02.629 --> 00:11:05.450 to find resources on the seven deadly sins and 00:11:05.450 --> 00:11:07.590 the seven virtues that slay them. We already 00:11:07.590 --> 00:11:09.809 have our free vacation Bible school program. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.600 on there and we're continuing to add more resources 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:15.259 including Classroom Curriculum and Nights of 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:18.620 Light, our Father -Son program. We also have 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:21.120 Dragon Slayer's Trivia on there. I could continue 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:23.360 with all the things that we plan to do with this 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:25.940 website, but the resource I really want to share 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:28.919 with you this week is our examination of conscience. 00:11:29.309 --> 00:11:32.149 We now have a printable and digital version of 00:11:32.149 --> 00:11:34.590 the examine based on the Seven Deadly Dragons 00:11:34.590 --> 00:11:37.230 and Ten Commandments on the website. So you can 00:11:37.230 --> 00:11:39.549 do your examine and then you can print out the 00:11:39.549 --> 00:11:42.409 steps to confession with your examine on there. 00:11:42.610 --> 00:11:44.350 And there's a fun little feature at the end on 00:11:44.350 --> 00:11:47.110 the website. Once you've examined your conscience, 00:11:47.570 --> 00:11:50.049 there's an animation where you can burn your 00:11:50.049 --> 00:11:52.629 sins. And now, of course, the animation doesn't 00:11:52.629 --> 00:11:55.049 actually take away your sins, but as Roland encourages 00:11:55.049 --> 00:11:57.870 us, we examine our conscience, go to confession, 00:11:58.090 --> 00:12:00.769 burn our sins, and then go celebrate. Let us 00:12:00.769 --> 00:12:02.929 know what you think. We'd love to hear from you. 00:12:03.190 --> 00:12:06.789 And until next week, stay holy in Sleigh Dragons.