Happy Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to all my Catholic Coreligionists and to my Eastern friends, brothers & sisters, the title of the day being The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
But as always to avoid being too reverent, yet still offer something pleasing to God in honor of the Virgin, I present Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of Saint Francis of St Paul's Catholic Church Sanf Francisco, CA performing the Salve Regina....
*This is a link laden piece, and it's worth exploring the links presented*
I was reading Andrew Sullivan's blog this morning and he had a post on the song Hallelujah. The original song was written by Leonard Cohen, and he managed to find the lyrics and post them here along with the second probably more widely known version of the song by Jeff Buckley as performed by KD Lang.
The YouTube video above of course is neither Lang, Buckley or Cohen, but I liked this guys voice and he managed to capture Buckley's spirit pretty well in his playing the song.
If you have a chance to hear the Leonard Cohen (original) version of the song do it (and here's a link).
The song has been reinterpreted lyrically only once by Jeff Buckley, but his version with its melancholic melody has been performed numerous times, once even by John Cale, who plays the Buckley version but attributes it to Cohen.
These are the lyrics to the Jeff Buckley version from AZLyrics:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Zenit has an interesting article today on one Cardinal's efforts to have the church recognize a fifth Marian Dogma. Cardinal Topo believes by adding this particular dogmatic pronouncement that it'll benefit ecumenical and inter religious dialogue. So what does the Cardinal propose?
He proposes that Mary be named "the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the co-redemptrix with Jesus the redeemer, mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one mediator, and advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race."
The good Cardinal's petition is supported by many in the magesterium - many Bishops and Archbishops as well as other Cardinals, but speaking as a laymen, and a convert - while I'm fine with the first statement, Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the latter statements are going to be difficult pills to swallow. Perhaps its a poor choice of words, or perhaps my own knowledge of Catholicism, certainly lacking compared to the theological depth of Cardinal Topo, limits me from understanding those phrases.
If anything this proposal reminds me of an old joke about The Trinity being in a recession and the Father and Son agreeing that they have to phase out the Holy Spirit. To me declaring Mary the co-redemptrix and co-mediatrix, is taking to much away from the person of Christ and diminishing core Trinitarian values by replacing what is essentially the purpose of the Holy Spirit as font of all blessings (graces).
Perhaps this is the ultimate 'end' of western Christo-centric theology (as developed from the filioque) where we confuse the role of the trinity and seem to promote neo-modalism. Am I completely off? Any takers on elucidating this matter for me? Gashwin? AmP? Amy? St. Lizzy? St. Izzy?
Congratulations, You are....
You do nothing by half-measures. If you’re going to read the Bible, you want to read it in the original languages. If you’re going to teach, you’re going to reach as many souls as possible, through a proliferation of lectures and books. If you’re a guy and you’re going to fight for purity … well, you’d better hide the kitchen shears.
I stand before you today a grandson grieving. I come to share my grief with you and share in your grief for the loss of a life, the life of a woman who was so many things to each of us, but in our shared experience one who was so dear. One who has left an indelible mark on our lives not only for who she was but also for the lessons she taught us on how to live a life full and rich in the blessings of God and of Love, as a Christian woman and child of God.
I’ve wracked my brains over the past couple of days on just what to share, to recall those “Great moments” I was blessed to experience with Meme. The more I thought about it, the harder it was to think of singular great moments. I’ve soon come to realize in my short life I’ve not experienced so-called “Great Moments” with my Meme. What I have come to remember and recall are those shared moments of intimate simplicity and those lessons she taught by word and example of life and love. In the wake of the sense of Loss, details have become muddled, but it doesn’t matter. These Moments and lessons compared to any of the great historical figures probably pale and seem rather banal n the eyes of the rest of the world. But they were moments and lessons none the less that got to the heart of who and what she was and affected me and obviously all of you and the many that couldn’t be here.
It reminded me of someone else who like my Meme and many of us was of humble origins and who throughout life touched and taught many people simple values about Life and of Love, and of God. The very people who were touched by that life were set with the same daunted task that falls before us. How to celebrate, understand and remember not only that Person, but also how to apply those experiences shared and those lessons learned in their lives and share it with others.
Biblical Scholarship has told us that the sayings and sermons of Jesus in the Gospels were not singular events of note that some one happened to be carrying around quill and parchment dutifully copying, but were heard on many occasions by not only those faithful followers but many more. The Sermon on the Mount probably was heard on many hill tops around Galilee and Judea, the parables were probably taught in the various towns and villages the region over, time and time again. And still there were those intimate moments of breaking Bread with Him that were shared in many homes. But everyone who shared in his life who experienced his teachings remembered those lessons and messages and experiences – that Gospel none the less.
Galatians2: 20 says - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. This is the call of the Christian and it is in the Spirit of this truth that I ask:
So what then is Our Gospel of Meme? What is the Good News that she brought to us and we were privileged to share in with her?
The Meme I remember was the Matriarch of the Family. Meme was a church going woman who for years I recall singing in the choir and who would sit in the pews with us grandchildren and would give us a mint if we got to comfortable or if the Pastor’s message wasn’t as interesting to us as her. She marked her Bible and took notes. She gave us quarters or dollar bills to put in the offering plate. As much as she was a Pillar in our formation as kids as we all got older we always gave her due deference in regard to matters that affected us individually and as a family. Her opinion on any matter had a way of settling things, her blessings quieted concerns.
The Meme I remember enjoyed being with people. She might not have been able to get out much on her own these past few years, but there wasn’t a single person that I recall her talking to on the phone not telling them before hanging up that she loved them. Every Christmas she sent out a mountain of cards to persons far and near, many family, all friends and looked forward to hearing from them or receiving cards as well. There wasn’t a single person that came in the door that she didn’t try and give them something or tell them that she loved them.
The Meme I remember was a source of constant comfort even when comfort didn’t seem necessary. She was the woman sitting in her chair on Chatham Drive, looking out the picture window at the people passing by, who when I came to visit would let me sit in her chair with her, snuggle up on her shoulder and she would sing and hum various old gospel tunes. It didn’t matter how big I got, from the time I was a small child, to even the grown man I am today, I had a place of comfort, of warmth and love sitting in her chair or more recently in the hospital bed or nursing home bed with her talking of news or nothing at all as she would gently rub my arm or scratch my back and she would hum or sing. And when she did the sorrows of the world, even the joys seemed to melt away and not matter.
The Meme I remember was a devoted Wife. I remember she would sit in her chair with Pas opposite her and aggravate the hound out of him. I’ve come to realize and know something that I’ve always known was true but became ever more so in the past year and a half - since his passing - and in his absence just how much she loved that him. I’ve come to appreciate that she didn’t cajole him out of malice, usually, but just because she loved him and he needed to be cajoled so he could share in her excitement for life and love.
The Meme I remember showed strength and dignity and patience during times of adversity. In the Hospital during Pas’ last days I pushed her wheelchair up to the bed and watched as she rose. She leaned over his bed and whispered his name; she called to him telling him that she loved him. She just kept calling to him, telling him that she loved him, and assuring him that things would be ok, that she put everything in God’s hands, that she couldn’t hold on to him anymore, to let go and go home to God. She leaned over him, and rubbed his hair away from his forehead, calling out to him. She sat back down so I could wheel her over to the other side of the bed and she could sit and hold his hand keeping silent watch.
See her Gospel isn’t that much different than Jesus’. Hers was a Gospel of Loving the Lord her God with all her heart, with all her Soul and Loving her family, her neighbors even strangers as herself.
Hers was one of feeding the hungry, whether physically or spiritually with the fruits of the Spirit poured out on her, or with her Chicken and dumplings or collards or baked ham or whatever she touched in a kitchen.
Hers was a Gospel of welcoming the stranger by speaking to all and with words of hope and gentleness and care and telling everyone she loved them.
Hers was a Gospel of caring for the Ill, either by taking care of her children or grandchildren when they couldn’t go to school or praying constantly for those faced with the many ills that life presents and the sins that imprison us.
Hers was a Gospel of Faith, Hope and Love shared with all, the greatest of which was her Love for each of us.
But her Gospel is not complete with just my words. These are but a few memories. This is only a portion which is made full by the memories in the hearts and minds of all of you gathered memories that we all share and carry forward.
Thank you for taking the time to join with our family today in sharing our pain of Loss, but more importantly for sharing in the joy that we have experienced in knowing this formidable Woman of God that has been Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and most importantly friend.
Juanita 'Tillie' Kelly Butler December 7, 1930 - February 9, 2008
The Eulogy: The Gospel of Meme
Today my Meme went to join my Pas in Heaven. I'm missing her, but I'm glad I got to see her and speak with her this morning. To tell her I love her, and to hear her say that she loves me. I'm going to miss her and as suprising as the days events were, to loose her so quickly without the long drawn out struggle that was witnessed with my Pas' passing, I know forever she'll be in my heart - holding me close just like she did when I was a little kid, just like she did even this last Christmas, and even today in her most fragile of states telling me that she loves me.
I love you Meme.
From the Office of the Dead, from a letter by Saint Braulio, bishop:
Today is the feast day of my Patron Saint, Thomas Aquinas also known as the Angelic Doctor for the work he did on codifying Christian Doctrine and Theology. He's known for his great work, the Summa Theologica, but also was a proponent of Aristotelean philosophy and standing in contrast to the Muslim Averroes in determining the precise meaning of Aristotelean thought. The Saint was obviously a prolific writer and besides writing the Summa wrote many prayers and hyms, the most beautiful and highly recognized being the Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi/Acllaim, MY Tonque, This Mystery.
Pange, lingua, gloriosi
Corporis mysterium
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
Quem in mundi pretium,
Fructus ventris genererosi,
Rex effudit gentium.
Nobis datus, nobis natus
Ex intacta Virgine,
Et in mundo conversatus,
Sparso verbi semine
Sui moras incolatus
Miro clausit ordine.
In supremae nocte coenae
REcumbens cum fratribus,
Observata lege plene
Cibis in legalibus,
Cibum turbae duodenae
Se dat suis manibus.
Verbum Caro panem verum
Verbo Carnem efficit;
Fit Sanguis Christi merum.
Et si sensus deficit,
Ad firmandum cor sincerum
Sola fides sufficit.
And possibly the most recognized verse from the hymn - the Tantum Ergo
Grant unto them Eternal Rest O Lord: apparently that phrase has never applied to saints whose bodies and possessions have been divided and prayed over for nearly 2000 years. NY Times is reporting that some angry Italians are trying to prevent the remains of Padre Pio from going that way.
Supporters of the exhumation say they're doing it to honor the Saint for on the 40th anniversary of his death. A few months back much discussion was in the media as to the reality of his suffering the Stigmata. See here for our coverage and opining.
Heard it first over at Gashwin's. Apparently the Times and Telegraph both have pieces online today calling to question whether Padre Pio really suffered the true Stigmata, or inflicted the wounds himself. Ruth Gledhill gives a presentation of the allegations, while Fr. Dwight Longnecker defends the Sainted Priest:
Nobody went around saying, "I know, let's have some saints bear the open wounds of Christ in order to make the faithful believe more." Instead, everyone (the saint included) is rather embarrassed by the miraculous phenomena. They try to keep it quiet and cover it up because, well, they're humble. When the news gets out the church looks for every logical, natural and sensible explanation first. Then she shrugs her ancient shoulders and says, "Well what do I know. What I see is what I see. This old friar has the wounds of Christ on his body, and didn't St Paul say that he 'bears the marks of Christ on his body? Maybe it's so."
and reminds us about Miracles that in the end
unlike crazy arm waving sweating Evangelical fundamentalist charismatic television preachers the church more or less forgets about the miracle. The Church doesn't go around bragging and promoting the miracle and shouting it from the rooftops. Instead, she tells us to focus instead on the fruits of the saints righteousness. Yes, sometimes, like the liquefaction of the blood of St Januarius or some other marvel, the miracle is proclaimed, but it is never proclaimed as proof of anything, except maybe the fact that this physical world is more rubbery than we thought, that things are open ended, that anything can happen and we oughtn't be too sure that we're sure. [Emphasis added]
Thanks Fr. Dwight.
