Noetic Jabberwocky: Down In the Valley to Pray

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Down In the Valley to Pray

Doc died this past week, at 89 years. Here's my tribute to the master. I was torn between "Froggy Went a-Courtin'" which evokes both Frog & Toad and my own so-called love life, and this here, which given the moment is much more apt:

Ita, Doc, te vale et requiescat in pace aeterna cum Padre, et Filio, et Spiritus Sanctus.

These Lyrics:

As I went down in the valley to pray
Studyin' about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way
Oh fathers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh fathers, let's go down
Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray
Studyin' about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way
Oh mothers, let's go down
Come on down, don't you wanna go down
Come on mothers, and let's go down
Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray
Studyin' about that good old way
And who shall wear the stary crown
Good Lord, show me the way
Oh brothers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Come on brothers, and let's go down
Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray
Studyin' about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way
Come on sinners, and let's go down
Let's go down oh, come on down
Come on sinners, and let's go down
Down in the valley to pray

As I went down in the valley to pray
Studyin' about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way..

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The Anarcho-Traditionalists' Guild

Anti- Libertarian. Anti- Militarist. Virulently Anti-Gnostic. Subsidiarian, Mercantilist, (Re-) Distributive. Mythopoetic Anti- Rationalist. Rabidly Anti-Nationalistic Patriot. Cosmopolitan Localist. Pilgrim Homebody Vagabond. Pro-Life Patriarchal Feminist. Radical Communitarian. Plebeian Aristocratic Bourgeois. Milquetoast Progressive Reactionary. Every-Ordo Latin Rite.

All of which is merely an enigmatic wordy way of saying that I am Catholic, and (in this immediate historical context) a slightly touched bleeding heart take no prisoners democratic socialist, and fundamentally more or less emphatically devoted to Rome.

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Upon the Existence of this here Blog:

Being taken with such an ironic sense of my own self importance, I feel the need to hold forth and explain a few things..

This project exists to inflict upon anyone who will pay attention my thoughts and impressions concerning the Catholic Faith, as well as anything else that I feel like posting.

Its goal is not to demonstrate the orthodoxy of my thought, much less my personal rectitude or piety. In fact, I suspect that the effect will be more often the opposite.. Know (as if it's not obvious) that I am no trained philosopher, theologian, priest or bishop. Nor am I particularly holy - In fact, I am more or less a failure as a Christian.

My Stance as an American Catholic (albeit with Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae utterly, if somewhat self-consciously, icongruously, anachronistically, and so ironically, embraced):

All truth, whether expressed poetically as art, or dogmatically as doctrine, is only evermade meaningful through use; within the unique experience of every individual human life.

All opinions, doubts, questions, impressions or ideas that I vent here should be taken in light of this caveat. When I write about religion (or anything else) I'm yet just another chump shooting his mouth off.

Still, doubt is inseparable from faith. Belief without doubt is not faith, it's certitude. And perfect certainty I do not have, on any subject. The romance of our Lord is that he veils both himself and the deep magic of his creation from us like a lover. So has he seduced me, so do I believe .. (help me my unbelief) ..

My heart, stupid smashed and rent with passion, is still (I hope & pray) now forever always his: graced we all each live our major and minor commitments as premises unto their (c'est a dire tout ensemble each of us to very our own) conclusion.

Do give me your feed back and set me straight if you think I need it. Sometimes I can be rude and vulgar. I do it because I enjoy it; it's poetic in its intent, apologies if I happen to offend.

I seek here to amuse myself. That's important. I think third on my list after sanctity and solvency.

Prost.

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Odd Vital Axioms:

The only unforgivable sin is not to forgive and seek forgiveness, the only final sin pride. Pride is merely virulent self-deception; and sin merely missing the point of everything.. For Forgiveness is the Burning Heart of Love.

Veneration of the human person, especially when distorted and broken by weakness, ugliness and evil, is veneration of Her Creator Himself.

Freedom, which is the prerequisite and perquisite of love, is the explication and expiation of all suffering. Death and evil (sin and its fruit) anneal and prove love, without this suffering we would not be free and would not be able (free) to love.

Love is always humble, always gratuitous, and thus always free.

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Some Few Critical Quotations:

Orbis terrarum liber est, et illi qui non commeant modo unam paginam legunt..

The world is a great book, of which they that never stir from home read only a page..

Quote attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo, perhaps spuriously. Yet, I endorse the sentiment without reservation, and so happily give it added force of Blessed Augustine's apocryphal imprimatur..

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Si quidam vero contra haec rescribere voluerint, mihi acceptissimum erit. Nullo enim modo melius quam contradicentibus resistendo, aperitur veritas et falsitas confutatur, secundum illud Salomonis: "ferrum ferro acuitur, et homo exacuit faciem amici sui," (Proverbia 27: 17).

If anyone wants to write against what is written here, I will very gladly accept it. For true and false are in no better way revealed than through debate and resistance to contradiction. According to Solomon himself: "Iron sharpens iron, so too does discussion clarify thought amongst friends," (Proverbs 27:17).

Saint Thomas Aquinas, O.P.; Liber de perfectione spiritualis vitae, conclusion of Chapter 26 & the book.

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γέγραπται γάρ· ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω. Ποῦ σοφός; ποῦ γραμματεύς; ποῦ συζητητὴς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου; οὐχὶ ἐμώρανεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν σοφίαν τοῦ κόσμου..

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Saint Paul of Tarsus, Prophet, Tentmaker, Apostle, Christian, ex-Pharisee; First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 1: 19-20.

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[I]n Europe, in the nineteenth century .. [there arose] .. socialism, which quickly split into two different branches, one totalitarian and the other democratic. Democratic socialism managed to fit within the two existing models as a welcome counterweight to the radical liberal positions, which it developed and corrected. It also managed to appeal to various denominations. In England it became the political party of the Catholics, who had never felt at home among either the Protestant conservatives or the liberals. In Wilhelmine Germany, too, Catholic groups felt closer to democratic socialism than to the rigidly Prussian and Protestant conservative forces. In many respects, democratic socialism was and is close to Catholic social doctrine and has in any case made a remarkable contribution to the formation of a social consciousness.

Benedict XVI

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Entre le fort et le faible, entre le riche et le pauvre, entre le maître et le serviteur, c’est la liberté*** qui opprime et la loi qui affranchit.

Between weak and strong, between rich and poor, between master and slave, it is liberty*** that oppresses and the law which sets us free.

Jean-Baptiste Henri-Dominique Lacordaire O.P.

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Footnotations:

*** editorial gloss: Nietzchean/Ayn Randyan self worship, which comprises both left (sexual & lifestyle) and rightwing (economic) liberalism, which is to say all sundry varieties of libertarianism.

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בָּר֣וּךְ הַ֭בָּא בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה בֵּ֝רַֽכְנוּכֶ֗ם מִבֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה

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Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae; Vita, Dulcedo et Spes Nostra, Salve!

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Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

Un Canta a la Virgencita Morena

And the Lord God said to the serpent:

"Because thou hast done this thing, thou art cursed .. I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel."

Genesis 3:14-15

But Melchisedech, the [gentile high] king of Salem, bringing forth bread and wine, for he was the priest of the most high God, blessed him, and said:

"Blessed be Abram by the most high God, who created heaven and earth. And blessed be the most high God, by whose protection, thy enemies are in thy hands."

And he gave him the tithes of all.

Genesis 14:18-20

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him,

"They have no more wine."

"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants,

"Do whatever he tells you."

John 2:2-4

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants,

"Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them,

"Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said,

"Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

John 2:5-11

And he said to them:

"Have you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry, himself and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God, under Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which was not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave to them who were with him?"

And he said to them:

"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."

Mark 2:25-27

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."

John 6:51

Then Jesus said to them:

"Amen, amen, I say unto you: except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me: and I in him.

As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever."

John 6:53-58

After this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him..

John 6:66

When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother:

"Woman, behold thy son."

After that, he saith to the disciple:

"Behold thy mother."

And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

John 19:26-27

But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

John 21:25

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars..

The Apocalypse 12:1

“Remain with us, Lord, for it is almost evening..”

Luke 24:29

Concerning the Law & Government

(Or, A Few Choice Meditations on Authority, regarding the likes of Solon the Great, the Pharoh, David, Solomon, Agamenon, Nebuchadnezar, Darius, Pericles, Alexander the Great, Nero, Constantine, Charlemange, Gregory VII, Boniface VIII, Henry VIII, Charles V, Peter the Great, Bush, Berlusconi, Obama; the likes of all patriarchs, judges, lawmakers, leaders, chiefs, princes, kings, emporers, presidents, apostolic bishops & popes..)

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And this is the tale of how we received the Law, not superannuating but fulfilling that of Moses:

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain [NB: just as Moses had]: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him [NB: unlike Moses, he stays on the mountain. This is a theophany]: and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

Matthew 5

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Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.

"Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said,

"You hypocrites [Greek, meaning "actors"], why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax."

They brought him a denarius, and he asked them,

"Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them,

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Matthew 22:15-21

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you."

Matthew 23:1-3

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Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good.

But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:1-7

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.

At that time each will receive his praise from God.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

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Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him,

"Are you the king of the Jews?"

"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

Jesus said,

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.

Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

"What is truth?" Pilate asked.

John 18:33-38

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Jesus answered,

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me..

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth..

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you...

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him..

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid..

I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.."

John 14:5-31 (redacted)

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Then Jesus came to them and said,

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go [NB: forth, from the mountain, this is a reference to Moses] and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:16-20

[Nota Bene, all these scriptures immediately here above but especially these two last are key passages when considering the filioque controversy or any other dissent or schism over the Catholic tradition.. ]

Patronage

This blog is entrusted to Our Lady of Bourguillon, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Soufanieh, Our Lady of Zeytoun, SS. Joachim & Anne, Saint Joseph de Cotignac, St. Raphael Archangel, St. Michael Archangel, St. John of Damascus, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Nicholas of Antalya, St. George My Guardian Angel, St. James de Compostelle, St. Charles Borremeo, Blessed Emperor Charles of Austria, St. Charles de Foucauld, Karol Wotyla of Blessed Memory, Charles Cardinal Journet , St. Teresa of Calcutta MC, St. Teresa de Avila OCD, St.Therese of Lisieux OCD, St. Teresia Benedicta a Cruce OCD (a.k.a. St. Edith), St. Lucy, St. Dominic de Guzman OP, St. Thomas Aquinas OP, Fr. Eckhart von Hochheim OP, St. Anthony Neyrot OP, St. Francis of Assisi OFM, St. Anthony of Padua OFM, Blessed Louis Martin, Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade SJ, Fr. Francisco de Osuna OFM, Fr. Solanus Casey OSFC, St. Philip Neri CO, St. John Henry Cardinal Newman CO, Brother Leo OFM, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection CM, Saint Andre Bessette CSC, Raphaëlle Chareton, Audrey Santo, St. Maurice, St. Menas Martyr & Wonderworker, and St. Seraphim of Sarov..

All Saints and Angels of Heaven, All Souls in Purgatory, pray with and for us!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Down In the Valley to Pray

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