For as long as I can remember October has been my favorite month--filled to the brim with my favorite things (outside of Florida)--the turning of the leaves, the harvest of apples, and most heavenly of all the myriad products that are the fruit of the pumpkin.
It is also the month of the Feasts of two major Carmelite Doctors of the Church--St. Thèrése and St. Teresa of Avila. Moreover it is the month of one of the great feasts to honor our lady. The feast that bridges that infamous Domincian/Carmelite gap--The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Frequent readers will know that I have no strong devotion to the rosary, regarding it as, at best, a penitential practice. However, this is only because of me, not because of the Rosary, the praying of which is the source of many virtues for those who try to live out the promises of its mysteries.
So three major feasts and apples, leaves, and pumpkins. One might call it coincidence. But on careful reflection, I call it providence. Even early on God was speaking to me and in oblique, beautiful ways directing me to where he wanted me to be.
Praise to the Lord, our Gracious King, who grants us the gift of this most wonderful month of the year. The gradually shortening day lends a pleasant air of melancholy, and the fruits of the harvest give us the wonderful heady aromas of spiced cider and pumpkin cake. All these goods from the greatest of goods, our Lord and our God. And every Earthly good should give us pause to reflect upon Him who is the source of all goodness.
Prayer Requests
URGENT REQUESTS:
For the people of Haiti, those that died, and those threatened by the chaos that follows the storm.
For the repose of the soul of Sister Anne, precious and beloved advisor to Katherine.
For Katherine, who having lost so substantial an anchor is feeling somewhat at 6s and 7s and for success in her ventures. May the prayers of Sister Anne, who, if not already at the side of Jesus will ascend rapidly on the fragrant offering of prayers from Carmelites the world over, assure her success and sure guidance.
For my dear wife Linda who is extremely upset by some changes in the workplace, that she may adjust and move one rapidly and that our family is not too perturbed by the necessary changes in schedule.
For Terry Schiavo (sp?) who was once again placed in harm's way by a "compassionate" court that washed their hands of blood in the same way as Pilate did--"we only interpret the law."
For Smockmomma's sister Charlene, may God help her, heal her, and above all else hold her close in time of yet another trial.
Please continue to pray for Dylan until he returns to us.
A quick sale and an easy move for Tom and his family as they set out on another exciting adventure in life.
For a deeper understanding of and commitment to the strengthening grace of the sacrament of marriage, especially for those who are presently undergoing trials.
Please storm heaven for my friends in Louisiana, they've had a long string of misfortune and could do with some good news.
For a dear friend who is undergoing a troubling period in her life, beset with a number of problems, physical, financial, emotional. May God hold her close to His heart.
For a St. Blog's parishioner in need of work to forestall financial catastrophe, that the Lord provide all that is needed in both material and spiritual blessings.
For those struggling against self to attain holiness, that the Good Lord will raise up new Saints for our times, visible beacons that draw all people toward Christ.
For the people of the Sudan that they may know peace and security and that they might learn to live together.
A special request from two gentleman battling particularly troublesome and besetting sins for grace and help as they continue forward.
For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel
For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them
For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.
For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.
For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic-related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.
For families that desire more children
For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband
For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.
Special Prayer Projects:
(1) For Katherine and Franklin, Gordon and Christine, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.
(2)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. For Mrs. White and child. For Katherine and her friend Corren. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.
From the Comments Box below, but worthy of greater circulation. What a glorious way to start my very favorite month of the year!
Mr. Riddle, this is totally off topic, so please forgive me, but here goes...what would the blog and combox postings of souls TOTALLY devoted to contemplative prayer look like?
One possibility follows:
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October 1, 2004
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Comments (4)
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Posted by Jane Smith 2:21 p.m. 10/1/04
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Posted by Al Jones 3:36 p.m. 10/1/04
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Posted by Jane Smith 4:01 p.m. 10/1/04
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Posted by Henry White 6:21 p.m. 10/1/04
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First, please let me make it perfectly clear that much to Erik's eternal chagrin, I do have enormous respect for and love of the writings of some of the Puritan divines. I nevertheless can set that in the balances with the plain fact that on some issues they were simply wrong. They overcorrected a perceived fault and wound up in error themselves.
That said, I was amused by the following anecdote:
from God's Secretaries
Adam NicolsonThe words of scripture, and an intellectual consideration of them, were the essence of Separatist Christianity and in many ways of Protestant Christianity itself. Some separatist pastors took this one step further: if the Bible was the word of God, it was intended to be conveyed to men in its orignial languages. Every translation, however good, was bound to contain errors and so by defintiion could not be used. If God had spoken in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, then those were the lanugages in which he should be heard. John Smyth, originally from Gainsborough, but by 1608 pastor of the Brethren of the Separation of the Second English Church at Amsterdam, its congregation made of of Lincolnshire farmers, decided that they needed to hear the scriptures in the original. One can only imagine the effect on the poor exiles from Gainsborough: hour on hour of Smyth reading out passages of Hebrew and Greek of which they had not the fiantest understanding, desperately looking for the sanctity in this.
Smyth was an eccentric--after realising that no other ecclesiastical authority could be as pure as himself, he dunked himself in holy water and became famous as the Se-Baptizer or Self-Baptist--but his position is only a distortion and exaggeration of what everyone in Protestant Europe believed. (p. 181)
The book is full of vignettes like this. We get a sense of the times and of the people and of the conflicts of ideas that gave rise to the Authorized Version. What many protestants do not remember or even know is that the Authorized Version in its original translation included all of the deuterocanonical books. The KJV is a truncation of the full translation of the text of the Bible. This is an aside.
For those interested in the history of the most important translation of all time, this book is a remarkable and easy introduction. I don't find much to complain of by way of partisanship, and I think, on the whole Nicolson strives and attains a nice balance between Anglican and Separatist and between undue admiration and undue criticism. I love the way he gives us Lancelot Andrewes, pious, holy man weeping for his sins and Lancelot Andrewes, betrayer of a congregation beseiged by the plague. We get the portrait of a flawed man striving for holiness. We get, in miniature a portrait of ourselves--of the contradictions and contraindications each of us lives out.
First, and worst, it causes me to oversteep my green tea. Five minutes yesterday, seven this morning. As the tea is a green masala that tends to make it somewhat bitter--color the mood for the entire day.
Second, it gives me a distinctly negative impression of some parts of the legal profession who defend everything by the letter of the law and not by the spirit of justice. Unquestioning obedience to precedent is no better than those who stood by and let Jews be carted off in trains during the reign of Nazi Germany. The law needs to be more greatly concerned about justice and less concerned about its own rules and regulations. Yes, I know to some extent they serve hand in hand, but I also know that when one person dies because of the refusal of the law to look at anything beyond their narrow rules, the law has failed us.
Third, it makes me think ill of the people who have brought this plague to us. I try hard to pray for Michael Schiavo. It become progressively more difficult. I cannot fathom why he doesn't use the same legal system to work out an iron-clad contract to remand Terri to the custody of her parents while retaining control of the money that remains from her own settlement. Surely if the law can sentence an innocent person to death, it can find a way to justify this much more minor crime as well.
Fourth, it saddens me and takes away some measure of the peace I seek in God. I don't know why it does as this does not influence me personally and I do not know the family. But somehow, this one issue has captivated me and I must push one calling attention to the travesty of justice that is acted out in executing a woman who had the temerity to fall ill--even persistently ill.
Fifth, I'm afraid it gives me ample opportunity to display my profound ignorance about any number of things (the law included). However, I suppose I'd rather be ignorant and morally right, than fully informed and morally wrong. (Although ideally, I could be fully informed and morally right--that isn't going to happen here because I don't care to come close enough to the law to be that informed. It strikes me that some aspects of the law likely have a contaminating effect on one's life and you must be made of sterner stuff than I am to resist this pull. Thus, my profound admiration for lawyers who follow St. Thomas More and can at once practice law as it is meant to be practiced and maintain a reasoned and reasonable Christian view of the world.)
That's it. I pray for Ms. Schiavo, for her husband, for the warped legal system that allows this travesty to continue, and for the people of the United States that they will wake up and see this for what it is--one more inroad upon the sanctity of Life disguising itself as a civil liberty. God have mercy on us all, undeserving though we are.
Praise to the Lord!
That Jeanne is gone, and despite the destruction, things are not so bad as they might have been here in Florida. Please remember in prayer all whose houses were damaged, who are presently living without electricity, but most particularly those who died in the storm in Haiti and their families.
Prayer Requests
URGENT REQUESTS:
For the people of Haiti, those that died, and those threatened by the chaos that follows the storm.
For the repose of the soul of Sister Anne, precious and beloved advisor to Katherine.
For Katherine, who having lost so substantial an anchor is feeling somewhat at 6s and 7s and for success in her ventures. May the prayers of Sister Anne, who, if not already at the side of Jesus will ascend rapidly on the fragrant offering of prayers from Carmelites the world over, assure her success and sure guidance.
For my dear wife Linda who is extremely upset by some changes in the workplace, that she may adjust and move one rapidly and that our family is not too perturbed by the necessary changes in schedule.
For Terry Schiavo (sp?) who was once again placed in harm's way by a "compassionate" court that washed their hands of blood in the same way as Pilate did--"we only interpret the law."
For Smockmomma's sister Charlene, may God help her, heal her, and above all else hold her close in time of yet another trial.
Please continue to pray for Dylan until he returns to us.
A quick sale and an easy move for Tom and his family as they set out on another exciting adventure in life.
For a deeper understanding of and commitment to the strengthening grace of the sacrament of marriage, especially for those who are presently undergoing trials.
Please storm heaven for my friends in Louisiana, they've had a long string of misfortune and could do with some good news.
For a dear friend who is undergoing a troubling period in her life, beset with a number of problems, physical, financial, emotional. May God hold her close to His heart.
For a St. Blog's parishioner in need of work to forestall financial catastrophe, that the Lord provide all that is needed in both material and spiritual blessings.
For those struggling against self to attain holiness, that the Good Lord will raise up new Saints for our times, visible beacons that draw all people toward Christ.
For the people of the Sudan that they may know peace and security and that they might learn to live together.
A special request from two gentleman battling particularly troublesome and besetting sins for grace and help as they continue forward.
For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel
For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them
For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.
For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.
For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic-related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.
For families that desire more children
For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband
For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.
Special Prayer Projects:
(1) For Katherine and Franklin, Gordon and Christine, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.
(2)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. For Mrs. White and child. For Katherine and her friend Corren. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.
Not that I need to say this, but I have recently deleted two comments for arrogance, rudeness, aggressive belligerence, and above all for simple discourtesy. No one has a right or an obligation to correct misconception with anything other than reasoned argumentation and courtesy. I will tolerate a great diversity of opinions. I will NOT tolerate in any way discourtesy to any who visit here.
If one feels the need to make discourteous comments about others, it were best that one started one's own blog where one might say anything one wished and where I might avoid one at all costs. All future such comments will also be deleted. "Freedom of the press belongs to him as has one."
I'm sorry to say I've abandoned Arturo Perez-Reverte's The Queen of the South. What looked to be an interesting riff on The Count of Monte Cristo turned out to be an endless, sordid, and needlessly vulgar tale of life among the drug-runners. Give it a miss and go back to the far better, far more interesting The Club Dumas if you think you need to read a work by the normally very fine author.
So, the primary fiction read right now is Anna Karenina and I have to admit to having been captivated by it. It shows the usual Tolstoy weaknesses--weaknesses that are relatively easy to compensate for. For example, he tends to digression and commentary on societal ills of his time. Dickens did the same, but it came off somewhat more smoothly. War and Peace had interminable essays that preceded sections of the story. Generally they were about history and how we interpret it, but they were definite roadblocks to absorbing the far more interesting story. I suspect that these digressions are shorter and more contained in Anna Karenina at least so far as I have discovered.
I'm still reading and approaching the end of Adam Nicolson's enlightening and fascinating God's Secretaries which claims to be the story of the translation of the King James Bible, but is really much more a reflection of Jacobean England and the environment and people that gave rise to one of great works of literature of all time.
I will return to Mandelbrot's fascinating study of markets and market forces The (MIs)Behavior of Markets once I've completed Nicolson's book.
Yesterday evening in the bookstore I stumbled upon a set of mysteries by Peter Tremayne set in Ancient Ireland. They feature one Sister Fidelma and may or may not be grinding an axe with the present configuration of the Roman Catholic Church. The historical introduction certainly suggests as much; however, I haven't started to read the book itself, so it would be premature to make such a determination.
Finally, I am once again reading and luxuriating in Wilfrid Stinnisen's magnificent Nourished by the Word. Pray that it sinks in this time and I might better encounter God's love in His word and share it with all around.
Praise to the Lord!
That Jeanne is gone, and despite the destruction, things are not so bad as they might have been here in Florida. Please remember in prayer all whose houses were damages, who are presently living without electricity, but most particularly those who died in the storm in Haiti and their families.
Prayer Requests
URGENT REQUESTS:
For Terry Schiavo (sp?) who was once again placed in harm's way by a "compassionate" court that washed their hands of blood in the same way as Pilate did--"we only interpret the law."
For Smockmomma's sister Charlene, may God help her, heal her, and above all else hold her close in time of yet another trial.
Please continue to pray for Dylan until he returns to us.
A quick sale and an easy move for Tom and his family as they set out on another exciting adventure in life.
For a deeper understanding of and commitment to the strengthening grace of the sacrament of marriage, especially for those who are presently undergoing trials.
Please storm heaven for my friends in Louisiana, they've had a long string of misfortune and could do with some good news.
For a dear friend who is undergoing a troubling period in her life, beset with a number of problems, physical, financial, emotional. May God hold her close to His heart.
For a St. Blog's parishioner in need of work to forestall financial catastrophe, that the Lord provide all that is needed in both material and spiritual blessings.
For those struggling against self to attain holiness, that the Good Lord will raise up new Saints for our times, visible beacons that draw all people toward Christ.
For the people of the Sudan that they may know peace and security and that they might learn to live together.
A special request from two gentleman battling particularly troublesome and besetting sins for grace and help as they continue forward.
For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel
For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them
For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.
For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.
For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic-related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.
For families that desire more children
For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband
For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.
Special Prayer Projects:
(1) For Katherine and Franklin, Gordon and Christine, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.
(2)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. For Mrs. White and child. For Katherine and her friend Corren. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.
in posting while recovery from Hurricane Jeanne continues. Lot's more damage all around us, and yet the storm seemed mostly to pass us by. I'm very grateful and busy with work-at-home, home-schooling while Sam is out of school, and assisting the neighbors with clean-up and recovery. Next major investment--hurricane shutters. Pray that Lisa continues on her formally predicted path away from us.
Jeanne has mostly passed. Now we just have a steady 40-50 mph wind with gusts to 65. Something of a relief after 5:00 this morning. I'm told that overall it was somewhat worse the Frances but not as bad as Charley for those in Central Florida. However, now there is a considerable population in real danger from possible flooding. Please continue prayers.
Here we are in the midst of Jeanne. Tropical Storm winds. The sound is terrifying, and we aren't even near the very worst of it. You just hear that whistling winter sound (those of you in the midwest know what I'm talking about. The winds simply don't relent, and occasionally they increase sounding akin to train passing. I sure hope this is the last of these we have to endure this season, but Lisa doesn't look cooperative, particularly with the little loop-the-loops that this season has given us.
Will keep you updated because it mysterious helps me feel better. Please pray protection on us all. We need it.
Watching now as I see a shelter that needed to abandoned in Melbourne this morning. Please pray for these people. This was a special needs shelter and included heart patients, dialysis patients, those mobility impaired. Oh Good Lord, it is certainly a test of one's faith and hope. I suppose we fall back on love. Holy Mother of God, protect us all.