The Annunciation

Today's the Feast of the Annunciation, when the angel "announced unto Mary and she conceived by the Holy Ghost" and salvation came into the world. 

I find this reflection by Benedict XVI helpful, from his visit to the Shrine of the Annunciation in Nazareth:

What happened here in Nazareth, far from the gaze of the world, was a singular act of God, a powerful intervention in history, through which a child was conceived who was to bring salvation to the whole world. The wonder of the Incarnation continues to challenge us to open up our understanding to the limitless possibilities of God’s transforming power, of his love for us, his desire to be united with us. Here the eternally begotten Son of God became man, and so made it possible for us, his brothers and sisters, to share in his divine sonship.

That downward movement of self-emptying love made possible the upward movement of exaltation in which we too are raised to share in the life of God himself (cf. Phil 2:6-11). The Spirit who “came upon Mary” (cf. Lk 1:35) is the same Spirit who hovered over the waters at the dawn of Creation (cf. Gen 1:2). We are reminded that the Incarnation was a new creative act. When our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived in Mary’s virginal womb through the power of the Holy Spirit, God united himself with our created humanity, entering into a permanent new relationship with us and ushering in a new Creation. 

The narrative of the Annunciation illustrates God’s extraordinary courtesy (cf. Mother Julian of Norwich, Revelations 77-79). He does not impose himself, he does not simply pre-determine the part that Mary will play in his plan for our salvation: he first seeks her consent. In the original Creation there was clearly no question of God seeking the consent of his creatures, but in this new Creation he does so. Mary stands in the place of all humanity. She speaks for us all when she responds to the angel’s invitation. 

Saint Bernard describes how the whole court of heaven was waiting with eager anticipation for her word of consent that consummated the nuptial union between God and humanity. The attention of all the choirs of angels was riveted on this spot, where a dialogue took place that would launch a new and definitive chapter in world history. Mary said, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Word of God became flesh. 

When we reflect on this joyful mystery, it gives us hope, the sure hope that God will continue to reach into our history, to act with creative power so as to achieve goals which by human reckoning seem impossible. It challenges us to open ourselves to the transforming action of the Creator Spirit who makes us new, makes us one with him, and fills us with his life. It invites us, with exquisite courtesy, to consent to his dwelling within us, to welcome the Word of God into our hearts, enabling us to respond to him in love and to reach out in love towards one another.

When we reflect on this joyful mystery, it gives us hope, the sure hope that God will continue to reach into our history, to act with creative power so as to achieve goals which by human reckoning seem impossible. Yes indeed.

Sursum corda,

What A Beautiful Day

 

What a beautiful day, birds sing, dogs sleep, flags wave and the sun shines down from a clear blue sky as a drug dealing ice cream van rounds the corner. It's like Spring, and I've got the front door open to air out the Manse.

Blow out those cobwebs, LSP, and take full advantage of our ancient enemy, the Weather, being in some kind of armistice mode. Enjoy every second of this fresh, clean, country day before our old adversary the Climate decides to Change and go full superheated blast furnace eschaton on the tenacious citizens of North Central Texas.

You know what it's like, it gets so hot you think the air itself is going to ignite, one careless spark and all that dust goes thermobaric. Terrifying, but for now all is good, the sacrifice of the Mass was offered at the Missions, a pot of improv Thai curry's on the stove and all is well with this part of the world.

Who knows, maybe a shoot's in order for Monday, but let's see what tomorrow brings.

Your Old Pal,

LSP

A Short Sunday Sermon

 

This is the leader of the worldwide Anglican Non-Communion (WANC), Archbishop of Canterbury Justsin Welby.  It would be uncharitable to say that Welby brokered womxn bishop figures into the Church of England and is no longer able to touch the Sacrament with his hands. So I won't say it, but he's clearly afraid of something, unlike these nurses, have a look:

They’re not allowed to tell us it’s all bullshit. They’re showing us instead.. pic.twitter.com/Wlx90PIMX1

— Peep’s Troll 🇺🇸 (@peoples_troll) January 3, 2021

As you can see, these medical professionals are clearly overwhelmed by the catastrophic pandemic which has swept through the Sceptered Isle. Or are they sending a message? Speaking of which, the CDC is telling us some 300,000 in the US people died of the China Virus in 2020, around 0.1% of the populace.

A tragedy, but worth shutting the country down for? Well yes, if it'll help you win an election and get rid of the hated Orange Man. After all, that Chinese cash doesn't come for free you know; the Mandarins expect a healthy return on their investment. And the point of this short evening homily?

Their ruler is the Father of Lies and a murderer from the beginning. But remember, he has been defeated and his days numbered. Take heart in that and pray for angelic protection in the day of battle and the powerful intercession of Our Lady, whose offspring crushes the serpent's head underheel.

Here endeth the Lesson,

LSP

Satanist Calls Virgin Birth Rape

Nice headline. Some kind of sad clickbait excuse to boost your so-called "blog's" laughably small readership, LSP? If that's your real name, which we doubt. Good question well asked, but no, this one's for real.

Associate MSU prof, Eric Spankle, real name, came out swinging on Twitter, saying that Jesus was a rape baby because the virgin birth was non-consensual. Here he is.

Headshrinker sex-prof Spankle's also a Satanist. Have a look at his attractive Antichrist Tree. So festive and full of the joy of the season!

The curiously named Spankle doesn't like Christianity and thinks it oppressive, which is why he sides with Satanism coz it's all a great larf. Like, haha, look at all those stupid people who believe in God, how ignorant and oppressive. So check it out, here's Satan.

How witty, and note, Baphomet's trans.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Happy Holidays,

LSP

Well Done, Jonathan Baker.

Pusey House

The retreat's over, more's the pity; it was led by an old friend from years ago, Jonathan Baker, the newly consecrated Bishop of Ebbsfleet. He's also chief of Pusey House, Oxford. Baker's meditations were outstanding and were themed on the Feasts of Our Lady.  

Assumption - Titian

All very uplifting and, for me at least, a welcome reminder of the role of Mary in showing us the meaning of the Christian life. Baker also quoted Hans Urs Von Balthasar, a great theologian whose writing I'm guilty of neglecting. Here's an excerpt on beauty to help make up the deficit:

"Our situation today shows that beauty demands for itself at least as much courage and decision as do truth and goodness, and she will not allow herself to be separated and banned from her two sisters without taking them along with herself in an act of mysterious vengeance. We can be sure that whoever sneers at her name as if she were the ornament of a bourgeois past--whether he admits it or not--can no longer pray and soon will no longer be able to love."

Blake - Crucifixion

I like that and, of course, the beauty of the Lee.

God bless,

LSP