peace

‘…to all men of good will’

January 1st – 7th day of Christmas

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV)

It is always perfectly justifiable to distinguish between error as such and the person who falls into error—even in the case of men who err regarding the truth or are led astray as a result of their inadequate knowledge, in matters either of religion or of the highest ethical standards. A man who has fallen into error does not cease to be a man. …Besides, there exists in man’s very nature an undying capacity to break through the barriers of error and seek the road to truth. God, in His great providence, is ever present with His aid. Today, maybe, a man lacks faith and turns aside into error; tomorrow, perhaps, illumined by God’s light, he may indeed embrace the truth.

…Let us, then, pray with all fervor for this peace which our divine Redeemer came to bring us. May He banish from the souls of men whatever might endanger peace. May He transform all men into witnesses of truth, justice and brotherly love. May He illumine with His light the minds of rulers, so that, besides caring for the proper material welfare of their peoples, they may also guarantee them the fairest gift of peace.

Finally, may Christ inflame the desires of all men to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another, and to pardon those who have done them wrong. Through His power and inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as brothers, and may the peace they long for ever flower and ever reign among them.

from Pope John XXIII’s encyclical Pacem in Terris

More popes today, because it’s apparently World Peace Day (for Catholics at least), and the theme of politically explosive encyclicals amuses me. (Pacem in Terris, was addressed to ‘all men of good will’ in addition to members of the Catholic Church.) Also, for those of us that get all the popes mixed up: Pope John XXIII was the one responsible for the Second Vatican Council, which pissed a lot of people off for some reason. Pope John Paul II was the cool pope who skied. And no one cares about the two in between because they were boring (more or less).

…and I’m a terrible person, because all I could think of throughout writing this entire thing was Miss Congeniality.

I am wrapping this blog up, but I missed a post or two last(!) year, and I wanted to finish the twelve days of Christmas, mostly because I think they’re cute. I may start something new, but if I do, it will be elsewhere, because I put this on a blog for my own sanity, to have a self-contained indexed, tagged, shareable archive. But thank you anyway, all you weirdos who have actually read this thing, I’m sure you’re the nicest three people on the planet. I’m sure I could have gotten an extra three people to read it if I’d done anything in the way of promotion, but, see above. ☝

[Edit: I started on with the pope posts before whatshisface started issuing papal bulls about cell phones, but I refuse to go back and change things just so that I look original.]

Anyway, have a very happy New Year! Enjoy the new things, appreciate the old things, and thank God for both.

Happy Christmas Eve!

December 24th

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:29 (NIV)

THE Ox said to the Ass, said he, all on a Christmas night:
“Do you hear the pipe of the shepherds a-whistling over the hill?
That is the angels’ music they play for their delight,
‘Glory to God in the highest and peace upon earth, goodwill’ . . .
Nowell, nowell, my masters, God lieth low in stall,
And the poor, labouring Ox was here before you all.”

The Ass said to the Ox, said he, all on a Christmas day:
“Do you hear the golden bridles come clinking out of the east?
Those are the three wise Mages that ride from far away
To Bethlehem in Jewry to have their lore increased . . .
Nowell, nowell, my masters, God lieth low in stall,
And the poor, foolish Ass was here before you all.”

from Dorothy Sayers’ Catholic Tales and Christian Songs

Here’s Silent Night on Youtube and Spotify. Because I thought it was cool that Stevie Nicks did a Christmas carol, and I couldn’t find a version of my favorite one, O Holy Night, that wasn’t utterly offensive. (So. Much. Vibrato. *shudders*)

…and here is an image of a weird little nebula, IRAS 05437+2502, from last year’s Hubble Advent Calendar in The Atlantic.

Here’s this year’s calendar, if anyone’s interested.

O, Dayspring!

December 21st

O Dayspring, brightness of the everlasting light, Son of Justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

O Oriens* antiphon

These are the last words of David:

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel’s songs:

The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
when he rules in the fear of God,
he is like the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings grass from the earth.’
If my house were not right with God,
surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire.”

2 Samuel 23:1-5 (NIV)

*If this sounds familiar it’s because O Come, O Come Emmanuel is based on the Greater [‘O’] Antiphons. As I may have said before, they are very, very old, and have been translated, paraphrased and re-translated many times.

Here is another John Wesley hymn: literally the only version of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing I found that I liked, by the U.S. Army Band of all things. (I think it’s just because it needs a lot of deep voices, but most of the men’s choruses that did it used the Willcocks arrangement, which I loathe with a passion.)

…and here is an image of another spiral galaxy, M74, from last year’s Hubble Advent Calendar in The Atlantic.

Here’s this year’s calendar, if anyone’s interested.

O, Root of Jesse!

December 19th

O Root of Jesse, which stands for a banner of the people, at whom the kings will shut their mouths, whom the Gentiles will seek: come to deliver us, do not delay.

O Radix Jesse antiphon

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling a together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

Isaiah 11:1-10 (NIV)

Sorry, we’re going to be seeing a lot of Isaiah this week, but… at least it’s not Luke 2?

On a similar note, I figure everyone’s pretty sick of Christmas songs by this point —and I’m guessing that if you want to listen to Handel’s Messiah you can do so on your own— so here’s Psalm 2 from the Psalm Project on Youtube and Spotify. (To be honest, I find the singer incredibly annoying, but they managed to put Psalm 2 to music, which I would say is impossible except for the fact that it’s, you know, a song.)

…and here is an image of the Bubble Nebula from last year’s Hubble Advent Calendar in The Atlantic, which is super cool in many ways.

Here’s this year’s calendar, if anyone’s interested.

In the flesh, in our hearts, and in glory

December 1st, First Sunday of Advent

…He will proclaim peace to the nations.

Zechariah 9:10 (HCSB)

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you should say that the Lord needs them, and immediately he will send them.”

This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”

The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. A very large crowd spread their robes on the roads; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of Him and those who followed kept shouting:

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!

When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds kept saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!”

Matthew 21:1-10 (HCSB)

Here is the King’s Singers’ Veni, Veni Emmanuel on Youtube and Spotify. Because Latin, is cool. There’s also Josh Wilson’s O Come Emmanuel, for those of you that don’t think Latin is cool.

…and here is a photo of the Lagoon Nebula from last year’s Hubble Advent Calendar in The Atlantic. I’m sure there’s one this year, but I want to be able to post it on the right day. (I love Advent calendars, because, deep down, I’m actually just a really verbose five year old, and like to put things in their proper cubbyholes. Bonus points if they’re shiny.)

October 20th

…where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:16-18 (NASB)

First, keep yourself in peace, and then you will be able to keep peace among others. A peaceable man does more good than one that is learned.

A good peaceable man turns all things to good.

He that is in peace is not suspicious. But he that is discontented and troubled; he is not quiet himself, neither does he allow others to be quiet. He often speaks that which he ought not to speak; and omits what it would be more expedient for him to do. He thinks about what others are obligated to do, and neglects what he is obligated to do himself.

It is no great matter to associate with the good and gentle; for this is naturally pleasing to all, and everyone willingly enjoys peace, and loves those best that agree with him. But to be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse people, or with the disorderly, or with those that are contrary to us, is a great grace, and a most commendable thing.

There are some are that keep themselves in peace, and are at peace also with others. And there are some that are neither in peace themselves, nor allow others to be in peace: They are troublesome to others, but always more troublesome to themselves.

And there are those that keep themselves in peace, and study to bring others to peace.

from Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ (Book II, Ch. 3)

Contentment

September 23rd

When thou hast Christ thou hast enough…

The Imitation of Christ (Book II, Ch. 1)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! …Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

[For] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

from Philippians 4

…and here is Lecrae’s God is Enough on Youtube and Spotify.

If you did know, what would you do?

August 21st

…but in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

2 Peter 3:13-14 (NIV)

Be watchful and diligent in the service of God; and often think about why you came here. Wasn’t it so that you could live to God, and become a spiritual man? Then be fervent in going forward.

You ought to have good hope of getting the victory; but you must not be complacent, lest you should become either negligent or proud.

When one that was in anxiety of mind, often wavering between fear and hope, once, being oppressed with grief, humbly prostrated himself in a church before the altar, in prayer, and said within himself, ‘if only I knew whether I would persevere!’ he presently heard within him an answer from God, which said ‘If you did know it, what would you do? Do now what you would do then, and you will be secure.

And being comforted and strengthened with this, he committed himself wholly to the will of God, and his anxious wavering ceased.

Neither did he have a mind to search curiously any farther, to know what would happen to him; but rather he laboured to understand what was the perfect and acceptable will of God for the beginning and accomplishing of every good work.

From Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ (Book I, Ch. 25)

Desiring holiness

July 28th

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God…”

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)

My longings after God, and holiness, were much increased. Pure and humble, holy and heavenly Christianity appeared exceeding amiable to me. I felt a burning desire to be, in everything, a complete Christian; and conformed to the blessed image of Christ; and that I might live, in all things, according to the pure, sweet, and blessed rules of the gospel. I had an eager thirsting after progress in these things; which put me upon pursuing and pressing after them. It was my continual strife day and night, and constant inquiry, how I should be more holy and live more holily, and more becoming a child of God, and a disciple of Christ. I now sought an increase of grace and holiness, and a holy life, with much more earnestness, than ever I sought grace before I had it. I used to be continually examining myself, and studying and contriving for likely ways and means, how I should live holily, with far greater diligence and earnestness, than ever I pursued anything in my life; but yet with too great a dependence on my own strength; which afterwards proved a great damage to me. My experience had not then taught me, as it has done since, my extreme feebleness, every manner of way. However, I went on with my eager pursuit after more holiness, and conformity to Christ.

from Jonathan Edwards’ Personal Narrative

We Are Leo’s song Dimensions on Youtube and Spotify

“ben Buzi” is also fun to say

May 14th

“…but if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

Ezekiel 3:21 (NIV)

It is the winsome note that men want today—“I don’t mind listening as long as you talk about the kindness of God, but don’t tell me God damns sin, don’t tell me He allows no quarter for lying or for lust.” The Gospel awakens an intense craving and an equally intense resentment.

Never water down God’s word to suit men’s experience. We palliate the truth of God because it offends, while in personal dealing our tendency is to be vindictive and hard. Be possessed with unflinching courage in preaching the truth of God, but when you deal with sinners, remember who you are. God tells Ezekiel to be concentrated on the message He gives him, no matter with what result. The preacher must never be guided by his own natural affinities, that will make him a traitor to the cause of God.

There was no fanaticism in Ezekiel. When we begin to work for God we have any number of crude, harsh sternnesses, but slowly and surely through the discipline of life we begin to be related to a different aspect of the message and can give it free from individual spleen.

from Oswald Chambers’ Notes on Ezekiel (on Chapters 1-4)

I’m an adult, I swear. But biblical names are pretty funny, and occasionally the sheer phonological variety of them is the only way you can get through certain portions of Numbers (and Leviticus, and at least the beginning of 1 Chronicles etc). Speaking of which, the best name this week is ‘Hazzelelponi,’ though she did have a brother named ‘Idbash,’ so I feel like it was a pretty close competition. (I like to think that her family called her Hazel. Or maybe Pony. Probably Pony; she had three brothers.)

On a slightly more helpful note: Ezekiel means ‘god strengthens,’ which is certainly better than his dad’s name, which apparently translates to something like ‘my contempt.’ (And here I thought it was cruel to name your child Daenerys…)