tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post8790255155188852392..comments2024-03-28T16:26:35.679-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: The SeasonOldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-39913173067846153112017-12-15T05:03:48.369-08:002017-12-15T05:03:48.369-08:00There are days when I think my church's naviga...There are days when I think my church's navigation system is drifting. Then it'll snap back.<br /><br />Best pastor I ever knew retired after we'd been with the church for a few years, we remained great friends until his death in early '08. Still miss that guy a lot.<br /><br />But yeah, like all professions there are good ones and bad ones, most are (as expected) average.<br /><br />I rant and rave at times, it's hard to stay on the path, but I'll get there.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-66020237009611322042017-12-15T04:59:42.564-08:002017-12-15T04:59:42.564-08:00I am enjoying the season, I usually do. While ther...I am enjoying the season, I usually do. While there are little things that vex me, I keep my eye on the big picture.<br /><br />Ah, memories of assembling things on Christmas Eve. Parts missing, instructions written by someone whose English was fractured at best. I definitely remember Tab A and Slot B!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-26158337608355604892017-12-15T04:56:46.681-08:002017-12-15T04:56:46.681-08:00Definitely without the blizzard part.
Happy Hanuk...Definitely without the blizzard part.<br /><br />Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to you and yours.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-87101602906067408502017-12-14T19:46:05.775-08:002017-12-14T19:46:05.775-08:00Being a military brat and then in the military mys...Being a military brat and then in the military myself, I've seen a lot of priests. (Figure a 3 year tour, unless somebody arrived exactly the day you did, you saw a minimum of two folks in that position.) Most were pretty good, not great at sermons. Some were horrible, cliche followed by rambling, followed by more cliche. A few were amazing. So....pretty much like mankind. Best I've ever seen's was Father Mike Scalia in Springfield VA. Interestingly, his father's name was Antonin. Razor sharp analysis of what the days readings meant. Completely understandable to this fighter pilot's brain. (Stick goes right, plane goes right, Mongo!)<br />Since retirement, it's been about 50/50 on the very good, not so good scale. Current Priest has a remarkable ability for his sermons to provoke a "how in the heck did he manage to figure out what I've been thinking about this past few days."<br />I'll give that credit to a little whisper from the guy above and be grateful.<br />It's a great time of the year, and between now and Easter, I'm especially grateful for "things"....In general. juvathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096708575138552532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-18961628433165863602017-12-14T19:45:23.869-08:002017-12-14T19:45:23.869-08:00It is what happens when a man debases the Message ...It is what happens when a man debases the Message for his own purposes. Selectively interpreting what is left didn't help matters either.<br /><br />The Message and the Mysteries are just that. For good or ill, good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. The Book is full of stories of all this happening, and why. Sometimes there is a reason that we can fathom. Sometimes it is just Mystery.<br /><br />To choose piecemeal from that fractured interpretation of the Message is like reading a child's Cliff Notes version of a Reader's Digest condensed book. With a giant spoonful of spite and hate. I wonder what they will be like if they ever grow up. One can hope.<br /><br />Ah, well, think I'll enjoy this 3rd day of Hanukkah with my semi-Jewish (she converted from fundi-Christian to Reformed Judaism and then to Catholicism when she married me. I'm such a lucky guy!)(And I like surprising my wife with Jewish things. It's not wrong, after all, Christ was Jewish.) wife and pray for peace and good will for all this blessed season. <br /><br />Blessings to you and yours, and may you have a white Christmas (without the blizzard part.)Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-71841222557237091352017-12-14T17:55:03.543-08:002017-12-14T17:55:03.543-08:00I fully agree with you about the season, all the p...I fully agree with you about the season, all the preparation, the music, lights, colors, and general good will feelings that are floating around this time of year. I really miss the school Christmas pageant/show. But the best part was going to Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. <br />When I was a kid, I loved opening the presents to see what books I got. I still do, although my grandmother is no longer alive to send me a big box of books. Although when I was very little (5-6ish) I got a farm set (barn, fields, and all kinds of farm animals). According to Dad, years later, it was a major PITA to put together (Tab A into Slot B, etc) but I loved it, and it survived until after my sisters came along 10 years later. Well, mostly. The dog chewed on one of the cows when he was a puppy. <br />So now I need to go work on Christmas cards so they can get in the mail.<br />Enjoy the season!!Suzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07117433684554337583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-15316212809319837832017-12-14T15:32:54.740-08:002017-12-14T15:32:54.740-08:00And to you and yours, a Merry Christmas indeed. (H...And to you and yours, a Merry Christmas indeed. (Hope your December gets better than it has been.)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-39725259511803708152017-12-14T15:17:28.566-08:002017-12-14T15:17:28.566-08:00From "Keep your dour Puritanism away from me....From "Keep your dour Puritanism away from me..." onward, you express my sentiments exactly. It is a time for joy. It is a joyous LIFE when we know where we're headed and keep the destination in view. Merry Christmas, my friend. Suldoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778845367184916684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-23490973670159041782017-12-14T15:06:19.821-08:002017-12-14T15:06:19.821-08:00Copy all, I concur on your assessment of Islam. No...Copy all, I concur on your assessment of Islam. Not enough, not near enough.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-70548808145934360002017-12-14T15:05:35.319-08:002017-12-14T15:05:35.319-08:00Andrew - Donuts and coffee, aye!Andrew - Donuts and coffee, aye!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-33865989957364521542017-12-14T15:05:08.000-08:002017-12-14T15:05:08.000-08:00Tuna - Homily and sermon, synonymous? There are ti...Tuna - Homily and sermon, synonymous? There are times when I get annoyed when the sermon is too "preachy." Then it strikes me, they are called preachers for a reason.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-34588365256119325992017-12-14T14:40:30.566-08:002017-12-14T14:40:30.566-08:00The Host is not A SNACK!
That's the donuts an...The Host is not A SNACK!<br /><br />That's the donuts and coffee later in the church hall. Mmmm. Donuts after mass. A true family tradition.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-19829935485265249292017-12-14T14:36:25.020-08:002017-12-14T14:36:25.020-08:00Angels don't have pupil-eyes. Since eyes are ...Angels don't have pupil-eyes. Since eyes are the windows of the soul, then the hypothesis is that angels are soulless. Angels can appear to have full eyes, but it is just appearances.<br /><br />Hollywood touches touch upon this in the movie "The Prophecy" with Christopher Walken as Gabriel. And some in the movie "Dogma."<br /><br />Angels aren't nice. They are Angels. They are warriors and watchers, clerks and accountants of God. Which is why the betrayal of Lucifer and his followers was such a blow to Him.<br /><br />Those who receive messages from Angels have their lives radically changed, for good or ill. I want angels to be with me when I struggle against evil, like the way Michael and a host of white clad Angels on horseback joined with the Normans in Italy when struggling against a host of Byzantines and Saracens. Outnumbered, beleaguered, the angels came through the ranks, wheeled, formed up with the Normans, and then aided them in a huge victory. I want an Angel to guide me to heaven, when I depart this earth. <br /><br />I fear an Angel coming to me, giving me a message. I (roughly) like my life the way it is. I fear the call, which would change so much. (Yet, I can hear that voice, in the distance, calling me, so quietly calling me to who knows what, to orders, to a different life. Calling me when I am in despair, when I am failing. One day I may listen to that voice.) <br /><br />And, yeah, Shinotism is the only 'eastern religion' that calls to me, as I see so much of Christianity in it, in the treatment of the soul, in the treatment of the world. Almost two different interpretations of the same message. I have known a few Japanese catholics who expressed also Shinto-istic feelings.<br /><br />Then, just as there are so many different variations of language, there has to be many variations of the message. Not just Protestants, Catholic-lights (Episcopals) and Catholics as Christians, but Judaism, and other religions. There is even some truth and peace in Islam, just not enough I fear, which makes sense, as it is a derivative of both Judaism and Christianity.<br />Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-83624199219442572382017-12-14T14:23:33.911-08:002017-12-14T14:23:33.911-08:00No complaints from this Catholic. I'm good wi...No complaints from this Catholic. I'm good with a little bit of lectionary, which we get, but not too much. And that's paired with a relevant sermon (aka Homily) to bring out the highlights. Then we get snacks, (ok, I'm going to hell for that comment). If it was all lectionary or all sermon, I'd be church shopping! I am loved and try to be worthy of that daily.Tunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930237104692982421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-38234042079176436052017-12-14T11:17:24.079-08:002017-12-14T11:17:24.079-08:00Ah, angels, are they soulless, I've never thou...Ah, angels, are they soulless, I've never thought about that. There is so little in scripture to fill them out as real beings. Messengers they truly are, Gabriel's message to Mary springs immediately to mind.<br /><br />But an angel was set outside of Eden to prevent us from returning there, supposedly. So many of the ancient writings have been obscured over the centuries by the various councils, conclaves and the like. (Like how does the Song of Solomon qualify when the Gospel of Thomas is not? Puzzles me.)<br /><br />Your views on good and evil sound very similar to mine. (Amazing that you would mention <em>kami</em>, there is much in Shinto and in Buddhism which appeal to me, yet a Christian I remain. I KNOW who my king is.)<br /><br />Another great comment Andrew.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-74251297521110198702017-12-14T11:10:10.727-08:002017-12-14T11:10:10.727-08:00Ah, you misunderstand. I am so far outside the hus...Ah, you misunderstand. I am so far outside the hustle and bustle that I can't see it from where I'm at. I think the point I was trying to make is that some preachers take ALL of the glory out of Christmas, the way I remember Christmas when I was young. An important part of that glory was the way I remember the church around Christmas when I was young. Now it seems formulaic and dry, very dry. When I'm in church I am at peace, I am content, however, that being said, I don't always care for the message from the pulpit.<br /><br />As an adult I still feel the "magic" of Christmas, whereas many of my contemporaries do not. That saddens me.<br /><br />I do miss the skits by the kids.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-45718637202517320292017-12-14T09:36:56.339-08:002017-12-14T09:36:56.339-08:00The older I get, the more I find that my church ha...The older I get, the more I find that my church has left me, not me who left the church. Somewhere around Vatican II the concept of the Mysteries seems to have been lost, replaced by an ugly socialist screed that grates my ears and soul, that has gotten louder and louder over the years (culminating in the latest papal election.) <br /><br /><br />The concept of good and evil that I grew up with, a more medieval version than was popular back then (thanks, I think, to the Cajun-sided lessons from my dad) clashes hard against today's pop-cultural versions. Heck, some branches of the Church of England/Episcopalians have even come out and said that God and Christ don't exist (How can you call yourself a Christian and not believe in the Christ-King?)<br /><br />My views, where good and evil are much more real (more like Kamis in Shintoism) are antiquated, to say the least. But in my defense, I have been around people who just radiate good, along with others who just walk in a dark cloud of evil. And places that just felt 'right' along with places that just felt 'wrong.'<br /><br />And, angels are not our friends. Those soulless messengers are deliverers of the news from God, and to take info back to him.<br />I hope, considering what happened to the people in the Bible who did, never to meet an actual angel. My goal is to stay under the radar from either side, and skate my way to peace and goodness. I think the crochetiness that I exude helps toss up a spiritual smoke-screen... At least, that's my idea. So far, not seen either the Morningstar or Michael, or any of their compatriots, so it seems to be working...<br />Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-37038810414729625132017-12-14T09:29:15.533-08:002017-12-14T09:29:15.533-08:00A simple reminder of the reason for the season is ...A simple reminder of the reason for the season is all I want.<br /><br />“Advent, which means "coming" in Latin, is the period of four weeks before Christmas. We await the coming of Jesus into the world. Advent is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. But the weeks leading up to Christmas can be so full of hustle and bustle, seemingly endless activity and obligation, that we don't have time to consider the reason for the season. <br />If this is what you are experiencing, remember the words of Psalm 46. Grab a minute when you can to just be still, even if it is just for a minute. Take a deep breath and remember that God is God.”<br /><br />Well, that, the music, and the skits by the kids,(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-62594256697660830382017-12-14T05:44:34.171-08:002017-12-14T05:44:34.171-08:00Thanks STxAR. It's all good.Thanks STxAR. It's all good.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-49433249502707880152017-12-14T05:33:29.170-08:002017-12-14T05:33:29.170-08:00I found a book in my library about Puritanism. I ...I found a book in my library about Puritanism. I don't know where I picked it up from, but it stated that Puritans spent more on beer at their get-togethers than on food. I think they got a bum rap as killjoys. <br />I'm with you, I love this season. There is wonder and excitement at the colors, the snow, the presents, the greetings. All because of a pivotal time when God became flesh, to communicate His great love, with which He loved us.<br /><br />I really love the old testament prophecies about the promised Messiah. It shows that this was God's Plan from the git go. We didn't surprise Him when we sinned. He was prepared for it. And as scripture unfolds it shows His desire to provide what we need. This unfolding picture (like those old gas station maps), as He reveals Himself to His creation leads to the unveiling of the Word of God, Jeshua the Messiah (the culmination of the revelation). <br /><br />Man! Good post today. Happy Christmas!!STxARhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04588850178293194825noreply@blogger.com