Et ventis et mari

 

 

You, Lord God, calmed the winds and the waves, and brought rest to the Lake of Gennesaret, grant eternal rest to those who died in the wind and the waves, and bring calm to those mourn them now.

In nomine Domini nostri Iesu Christi. Amen.

—

[Frank Franklin II, “Breezy Point, Queens” (2012). Link here]

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Dixit autem illis: ‘Ubi est fides vestra?’ Qui timentes mirati sunt ad invicem, dicentes: ‘Quis putas hic est? quia et ventis et mari imperat, et obediunt ei?’ [Lk 8.25]

He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?’ [NRSV]

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Heavenly bodies

In the fiery heavens
are now two bodies:
one of the resurrection
and one assumed.

In bodies anew
we meet them there,
see face to face,
known and knowing.

Our faith will close,
our hope made whole;
save lasting charity,
in the city of love.

With bright new eyes,
we see their face:
the Virgin immaculate,
her Son still pierced.

With angelic hymns
of incorporeal song,
our bodies made new
and Mary’s still whole.

C.H. McCants, “Heavenly Bodies” (2012)

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complete

Et ecce unus accedens, ait illi: Magister bone, quid boni faciam ut habeam vitam æternam? Qui dixit ei: Quid me interrogas de bono? Unus est bonus, Deus. Si autem vis ad vitam ingredi, serva mandata. Dicit illi: Quæ? Jesus autem dixit: Non homicidium facies; non adulterabis; non facies furtum; non falsum testimonium dices; honora patrem tuum, et matrem tuam, et diliges proximum tuum sicut teipsum. Dicit illi adolescens: Omnia hæc custodivi a iuventute mea: quid adhuc mihi deest? Ait illi Jesus: Si vis perfectus esse, vade, vende quæ habes, et da pauperibus, et habebis thesaurum in cælo: et veni, sequere me. (Mt 19.16-21)

And behold one coming along said to Him, “Good Master, what good must I do to have eternal life? And He said to him, “Why are you asking me about what is good? God alone is good. Therefore, if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which?” Then Jesus answered him, “You shall not murder; you shall not be an adulterer; you shall not commit theft; you will not give a false testimony; honor your father and your mother, and care for your neighbor as if it were yourself.” The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these since my youth; what do I lack even still?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow me.” (Translation mine)

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It is the commandments of God that compels us not to sin; it is the grace of God in Christ that frees us from the need of our possessions, allowing us to give them over to the poor, and to go and follow Him.

—

From tonight’s Vespers:

Because he has given freedom to the destitute who called to him,
to the poor, whom no-one will hear.
He will spare the poor and the needy,
he will keep their lives safe. (Ps 72)

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captivity

Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: My heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength, nights, days, youth, age, and spend them in thy service, O my crucified Master, Redeemer, God.

Frederick W. Robertson, 19th cent.

—

Andrea Mantegna, Crucifixion (1457-1459)

 

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immaculate

The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, its creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.

Saint Anselm of Canterbury, bishop.

—

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I will not give a full meaning for the Feast Day and its significance in the life of the Church, the history of the Dogmatic pronouncement, nor will I try to lay out or elaborate the theological significance of this teaching of the Christian Church, relating it to original sin or sanctifying grace.

In truth, I think “immaculate conception” is this one moment where many Roman Catholics receive it all too easily, many Protestants reject it all too easily, and somewhere in between there is gift of wrestling theologically with what it really means to be born immaculate by the grace of God.

I will, however, simply point back to St Anselm above, who I believe said it best: “Not only does [the universe] feel the unseen presence of God himself, its creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy.”

The Immaculate Conception of Mary is one of the many ways God has made this fallen world holy in preparation and anticipation for the coming of the Λογος, the Word of God, who is Son of God and Son of Mary.

—
im·mac·u·late,
adj., free from stain or blemish; pure.

[Middle English immaculat, from Latin immaculātus (in- + past participle of maculāre, to blemish (see macula, spot).]

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First Week of Advent: Tuesday

Christ, the light of all lights, follows John, the lamp that goes before him. The Word of God follows the voice in the wilderness; the bridegroom follows the bridegroom’s friend, who prepares a worthy people for the Lord by cleansing them by water in preparation for the Spirit.

Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop.

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Candlemas

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother :  “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.

The Gospel of St. Luke

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Candlemas

The feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary (or presentation of Christ in the Temple) celebrated with a great display of candles.

Forms: OE–ME candel mæsse, ME -masse, -messe, ME -mas, ME candil-masse, ME -messe, -mas, condulmas, ME candylmesse, 15 -mas, 15–17 candlemass, 15– candlemas.

Etymology: Old English candelmæsse, < candel candle n. + mæsse mass v.⁴ In Icelandic kyndilmessa: compare medieval Latin candelaria, French chandeleur, German lichtmesse.

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