Friday, October 3, 2014

Virgin Annunciate


It's pretty fast-paced here in the Newsroom; sometimes we even have to chase articles down by texting. That's what I had to do with Red and the conversation went something like this:

"So where's my article?"
"Why don't you check your inbox."
"OK."
"And DON'T MESS with the content."
"At the risk of offending one of my ritures, maybe you should include God in this. How about that?"
"Sent... add to last para."
"Good. Now go back to shopping at Macy's and getting blind at the bar."

When he's not cranking off rounds in abandoned burn-outs in Detroit, Red's taken to writing art reviews. Here's the second half of his latest, on Fra Angelico's Virgin Annunciate, at the Detroit Institute of Art:

"So often in depictions of the Annunciation, Mary appears surprised or concerned, sometimes shocked, and often reverent. In this depiction she appears positively calm, and if we look closer there is much more. Eyes almost nearly closed, one might assume she is on the verge of quiet tears, contemplative and still, contemplative of so much in that one great moment of realization that she is stilled even of breath, immobile, hands, tilt of the head, posture, all indicting total surrender. A closer examination still and we realize she is flushed, deeply taken by the moment. Although the angel too has rose in his cheeks, it is mere complexion by comparison: Mary has made a great realization of the world, and in it her understanding is universal and she is in communion with it.

"What is our reward for the inspection of such beauty, beyond the basic pleasures of aesthetic appreciation, as fine as they are? We too are in a communion. The communion of an artistic ideal, an aesthetic vista, the universal notion that we are not alone even in those singular moments as a viewer, a viewer in this case observing someone receiving the most unusual news imaginable. That the artist can speak to us over the course of time is indicative. It conveys the notion that we are allowed communion with someone else’s understanding and insight, both aesthetic and spiritual. 

"This is empathy, empathic response at its most fleeting possibly, but possibly its most rewarding, freeing us for a moment from the often too lonely state that our individualistic nature forces upon us, letting us bask in a greater understanding, a greater corporate whole. Reminding us that, even as Mary in her acceptance is contrite, we too can take faith in a singular moment, that contrite moment of spiritual observance when we gaze on such things, one that reminds us that there is a world out there and that we’re in it, that time matters. A faith, of sorts, in something larger than ourselves. And if, all the while, with that empathy rising in us, we see Mary as perhaps in a state of some sort of heavenly ecstasy, perhaps we too are allowed a small glimmer of that ecstasy in ourselves. 

"Thematic tableaux occasionally call out to us for direct interpretation. This is, after all The Annunciation, and the scrutiny we apply to it might not always be formal but also contextual, heightening our response still. Mary’s ecstatic state may be indicative of the fact that she is aware of the very immediate and even intimate presence of God, not just surrounding us in the real world or in the Heavens but much closer. She knows that everything is about to change. 

"And what is a portrait but the capture of an instant? In this case, the instant that sits as a fulcrum between two great epochs, and one which brings her face to face with God’s intent. All the salvation, all the fear, the tremulous concern, the quiet shame and the heartfelt wonder at what we’ve beheld. 

"Through the magnificence of this artist’s work, and if only fleetingly, we’re brought there with her."

Thanks Red, nice work. I like that painting too.

LSP

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Washed Away In The Flood


It doesn't rain much in Texas, but when it does, it does. I had to pull off the road tonight on the way to Mass.

Kursk

It was like the Battle of Kursk. But in the air.

Made it safely back to the Compound. They're out there, now, looting, but I don't care. I'm armed.

Armed To The Teeth And Then Some

Speaking of which, we've sent the Army to Africa to "fight Ebola." So what are they going to do? Shoot at it with M4s?

Smart people have been prepping in Dallas,

LSP

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Timothy Leary Runs For Presiding Bishop!


As shocking in death as he was in life, '60's counter-culture icon, Timothy Leary, has told a stunned world that he will be making a bid for the sought-after position of Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Pegasus Launched Leary

Leary announced his intention to run in the hotly contested race from space, where his cremated remains, or "cremains", orbit the planet every 90 minutes. This  makes the psychedelic psychiatrist a serious contender in the race to control the dwindling but rich off-world denomination.

Goof-Off

Widely seen as a dark horse, runner-up, Leary could well surprise the current slate  of candidates for the Episcopal Church's most important job.

Criminal

The bets are on.

LSP


He's Back


We thought it was over and heaved a long sigh of relief but no, Piers Morgan, known as the "most hated man in journalism," is back. And attacking his old buddy, "Barack."

Will the torture never stop?

LSP



Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Who Will Be The Next PB?


Known to her friends as a Rainbow Warrior Rockstar and to her enemies as a Boy Bishop Harridan Witch, Katharine Jefferts Schori certainly provokes strong emotions. But not for long. Soon she will be passing on the baton of leading the Episcopal Church to someone else. So who will be the next Presiding Bishop of the fabulously wealthy but numbers-thin denomination?

There are several contenders for the post  of top TEC pontiff.

Felix Dzerzhinsky

Felix Dzerzhinsky, scion of minor Polish nobility and feared head of the Soviet secret police, the infamous Cheka, is widely touted as a possible successor to Schori. "He keeps on mission," stated one pundit.

Anton LaVey

Anton LaVey, renowned Satanist and Dzerzhinsky look-alike, is also in the running. LaVey's "do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" Crowleyism make him a good fit for the office of Presiding Bishop. LaVey is a serious contender to the pansexualist TEC throne.

Margaret Sanger

The Episcopal Church is an enthusiastic supporter of abortion and champions the right of women to "break through the stained glass ceiling." Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood and proponent of Havelockian "sex magicke", is an obvious shoe-in for the position of Bishop-in-Charge of the Episcopal Church.

Gale Sondergaard

Speculation is also building that Gale Sondergaard has been invited to take on the role of "PB". However, it's rumored  that Sondergaard is "reluctant to wear the disfiguring makeup," and fears "it could damage her career." Sondergaard could well drop out of the running for the coveted role of leading the moneyed but  rapidly declining denomination.

Who will be the next PB? Dzerrzhinsky, LaVey, Sanger or Sondergaard?

You, the reader, are invited to be the judge.

LSP

Tuesday Shoot


"I know," I thought to myself, "Let's go for a shoot." And that's what I did, Tuesday being as good as any other day to load up a couple of guns in the truck and head out to the range. But don't get the wrong idea; the "range" isn't some place that you have to pay to get into. No, it's just you and the guns, out there in the country, surrounded by a tall berm at 100+ yards. 

Watch Out For Snakes

Apart from a small shooting house and some targets, that's it. More serious shooters than myself use it to zero in their rifles from time to time, but mostly (almost always), it's empty. I like that.

The Beach in Spring

Before plinking about, I went for an armed walkabout to scout for squirrels and small game, perhaps a snake or two, but didn't see anything. However, down by a turgid pool of standing water that I call the "Beach," I saw some fresh deer tracks.

I'm hoping that this will translate into "meat in the freezer." We'll see.

If you think Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon & Willie is bad, you are in serious error.

LSP

Monday, September 29, 2014

St. Michael & All Angels


It's the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels today, which puts me in mind of this:

“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

Unh Hunh.

St. John the "Revelator" goes on to say:

“For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”

Having great wrath. Ain't that the truth.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle.

God bless,

LSP


Saturday, September 27, 2014

Ride English


In a ferocious bid to break personal stereotyping I decided to go horse riding, Saturday being as good as any other day. I rode English for the first time in a while and really enjoyed it. Keep those legs down, LSP!

Simon and Pistol

Don't get me wrong, I like Western too, a lot, but maybe English -style forces you to work on basic equestrian skills. More contact, too.

Dzerzhinsky

Keen-eyed observers of the religious scene are speculating that Felix Dzerzhinsky and Anton LaVey are the two top contenders for the soon-to-be vacant position of Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

LaVey

Is there an outside contender?

Ride on,

LSP

It's Stepping Down



By now the whole world knows that Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, is stepping down. That's right, she's resigning after next year's General Convention.

Just Some Witch


Well that's great, isn't it. Or is it? As someone wrote, "She’s likely to be replaced by someone worse. You do realize that."

Typical Fighting Monkey

I'll wager my fighting monkey against any 3 of your priestesses that he's right.

Not that I'm a gambling man.

LSP

Friday, September 26, 2014

Friend of the Devil


You may have heard that some goof-off clowns are getting ready to hold a "Black Mass" in Oklahoma City's Civic Center. Despite being "sanitized", the diabolic parody of the Eucharist in question is evidently serious.

When asked about their Satanic Sunday activities, the leader of the devilish group replied that they meet every Sunday in an Oklahoma City-area home, going through a cycle of rituals and activities that include teachings, working on journals and workbooks, and meals together.

Dobby

One commentator couldn't resist the obvious: "Oh, it’s an Episcopal church."

Tip of the deadly assault rifle to Stand Firm.

More ammo, please.

LSP

Eschaton and the End of Time


I know. This kabob stand on the information superhighway is frivolous and shallow at best. So here's an apocalyptic vision to quicken up the pace:

“The image of the woman [the Church] before the altar in front of the eyes of God that I saw earlier was now also shown to me again so that I could also see her from the navel down. From the navel to the groin she had various scaly spots. In her there appeared a monstorous and totally black head with fiery eyes, ears like the ears of a donkey, nostrils and mouth like those of a lion, gnashing with vast open mouth and sharpening its horrible iron teeth in a horrid manner... Lo, the monstrous head removed itself from its place with so great a crash that the entire image of the woman was shaken in all its members. Something like a great mass of much dung was joined to the head; then, lifting itself upon a mountain, it attempted to ascend to the height of heaven. A stroke like thunder came suddenly and the head was repelled with such strength that it both fell from the mountain and gave up the ghost.”

Damian Anti-Christ

After describing the fall of anti-Christ and the woe of those who had been deceived by him, the Seer continues:


“Behold, the feet of the aforementioned female image appeared to be white, giving out a brightness above that of the sun. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: ‘Even though all things on earth are tending toward their end, so hardships and calamities is bowed down to its End, nevertheless, the Spouse of my Son, though much weakened in her children, will never be destroyed either by the heralds of the Son of Perdition or by the Destroyer himself, however much she will be attacked by them. At the End of time she will arise more powerful and more secure; she will appear more beautiful and shining so that she may go forth in this way more sweetly and more agreeably to the embraces of her Beloved. The vision which you saw signifies all this in mystic fashion.’” (Scivias 3:11; Translated by B McGinn, Visions of the End, pp101-102)



I'll leave you to consider whether elements of this vision apply to the Episcopal Church.

The Seer is Hildegard von Bingen (of course), Katharine Jefferts Schori's new "ally."

God bless,

LSP


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Katharine Jefferts Schori & Hildegard


Perhaps you remember that Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (TEC), has taken to quoting Hildegard von Bingen, 12th Century Sibyl of the Rhine. For Schori, Hildegard is all about viriditas (greenness), like a latter-day Gaia worshiping U.N. apparatchik.

Here's Schori, apparently oblivious to irony, referring to her new patron rebuking Barbarossa for fueling Church schism:

Listen to Hildegard the prophet: “He Who Is says, ‘I destroy contumacy, and by myself I crush the resistance of those who despise me. Woe, woe to the malice of wicked men who defy me! Hear this, king, if you wish to live; otherwise my sword shall smite you.”

And here's Hildegard again, preaching on the Cathar heretics:

"Diabolical seduction [by the Cathars] gives rise to criminals and seducers, the hate and the crime of the devil, brigands and thieves; but it is in homosexuality that the sin is most impure, the root of all vices. When these sins have accumulated among the nations  the constitution of God’s law will be torn, and the Church, like a widow, will be stricken."


Hildegard

Why didn't Jefferts Schori reference that, when preaching to her crew of greenist mountebanks in Taiwan?

We'll return to Hildegard and her apocalyptic visions later. In the meanwhile, KJS, be very careful when invoking the Teutonic Seer.

Mind how you go,

LSP