Oct 5, 2010

The parable of the stuck CD drive and infected computer

There are 2 problems.  First, the system got corrupted that it needs to boot using the backup disks and to have a file recopied from there.  Second, the CD drive is stuck. 

Some CD drives have a hole where you can stick a paper clip tip to push the drive open.  You can go to Youtube and see videos about that approach.  I had one that did not have a hole.  So after a short prayer,  I attached an external CD drive, booted (started)  and recovered from there.  (You won't find that at YouTube;  I got that with a little prayer and insight.  So, you saw it first here.)


Moral:
Since this is a religious blog, let me use this to talk about Christian life.  The corrupted files are our human frailties that have been overrun and controlled by sin.  It can manifest itself in destructive behaviors e.g. addictions or habitual sins.  The backup disk with the original files is God's grace that contains our chance to be made fixed i.e. freed from addictions and bad habits.  The locked CD ROM drive can be our attitudes e.g. It's too late for me.  I can never be forgiven.  It won't work.  I'll fall back into sin.  It can be denial i.e. "Problem?  I don't have a problem." or false pride.  So, it comes down to one's choice to wallow in sin or to rise up and walk.  Just like the joke, how many priests does it take to change a light bulb.  One but, the light bulb must really want to change.

The external drive are others who help us through their prayers and counsel.  Somehow, some people wake up one day and say, "I tired of this life;  I'm going to change."  That did not come out of the blue but from some grandmother praying the Rosary every night or some nun behind the cloister wall - just like St. Therese of the Child Jesus who prayed for the murderer who was about to be executed.  The man repented at the last minute - just in time to receive God's forgiveness before he died.

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