A journal of byzantine digressionS
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Think Different
The Readings for the 3rd Sunday, Tempus per Annum (A2) Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 Paenitentiam agite; appropinquavit enim regnum caelorum.Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent, says Jesus. Jerome’s Latin renders this poenitentiam agite which means “do penance” but it may be a typo of sorts as “paenitentiam”…
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Anagogical Kylie
Traditional Catholic teaching says there are four senses of scripture which must all agree. This is a useful meditation tool for the Word of God. The Catechism cites this Latin Couplet to parse it out: Lettera gesta docet, quid credas allegoria, moralis quid agas, quo tendas anagogia. The Letter speaks of deeds; Allegory to faith;…
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You’re doing it wrong
The Readings for the 1st Tuesday, Tempus per Annum (A2) 1 Samuel 1:9-20 Mark 1:21-28 Factum est autem, cum illa multiplicaret preces coram Domino, ut Heli observaret os ejus. Porro Anna loquebatur in corde suo, tantumque labia illius movebantur, et vox penitus non audiebatur. Aestimavit ergo eam Heli temulentam, dixitque ei : Usquequo ebria eris?…
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From Before Time
When next you approach Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, drawing near to the chalice in faith and love, kneeling at the rail, or coming to the front of line; when you receive from the Priest, Deacon, or Eucharistic Minister the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of the God-Man, Jesus, born of Mary and descended…
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Keryg道?
You’re still here! Either you want to find a way to embody the Tao, the collected and shared teachings that are the birthright of all humans who claim them, or you’re reading along to see how this trainwreck ends. That’s ok. You’re here and I’m going to keep talking. The Tao seems attractive: it’s been…
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Manifest Destiny
The Readings for the Epiphany (A2) Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 Gentes esse cohaeredes, et concorporales, et comparticipes promissionis ejus in Christo Jesu per EvangeliumGentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Rome knew what it was like to be the Chosen…
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There is No Place God-Free
Advent means meditation on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell; and the longer I thought about it, I realized that my usual image was too static. The catechism says that it is separation from God (¶1033) but the church also says that God is Omnipresent . The Psalmist asks, Whither shall I…
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Buttermilk Snow (with Mincemeat)
A tasty holiday treat or try other flavors on the same base… 1 packet unflavored gelatin 1/2 Cup boiling water 1 1/2 Cups full fat, cultured buttermilk* 1/3 Cup heavy whipping cream 1 packet of stevia Mincemeat filling/topping Dissolve gelatin in boiling water and let it cool slightly. Whisk in a bit of the buttermilk…
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Familial Consequence
The Readings for the Solemnity of the Holy Family Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Et veniens habitavit in civitate quae vocatur Nazareth And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth. NYC 1990. Working in retail at Christmas I was given a window to do. A 2nd Ave storefront, one block from…
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A Mission, OP
Always on Christmas, there is a sense of disconnection for me. Back when I thought I was going to be an Episcopal Priest there was the same sense of disconnect. My Family was hundreds (and later thousands) of miles away. My friends all did their family things. Later I discovered the “orphans’ Christmas” which was…
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O Virgin
O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? The thing which ye behold is a divine mystery. Sarum Use (the ancient liturgical of the Cathedral of Salisbury) has one extra Great O Antiphon, assigned…
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O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God. Have you ever heard of a pamphlet called The Four Spiritual Laws? I think it was written in 1965 by the folks at Campus Crusade for Christ (which is now, evidently, just…
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O King
O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay. Making both one? Walk back through the O Antiphons. They tell a story of division and union. Wisdom is sought in the first one just so we can understand what’s happening.…
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The Shortest Day
by Susan Cooper So the shortest day came, and the year died,And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white worldCame people singing, dancing,To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees;They hung their homes with evergreen;They burned beseeching fires all night longTo keep the year alive, And when the new year’s sunshine…
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O Dawn
O Dayspring, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. And why not? We sing this verse at Vespers on the 20th (in Anglican tradition) or on the 21st (in Roman Catholic and Western Rite Orthodoxy). So it comes either side of…
Orthoparadoxy 