December 2018 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Evangelization: In the Service of the Transmission of Faith. That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

The Pre-Christmas Season

The first Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30) marks the beginning of the Advent Season.  It can be anywhere from 22 to 28 days long, depending when on the calendar Christmas falls. It also marks the start of a new liturgical year; and for those of use involved in the preparation of music, it is the final preparation time for the first set of major celebrations (Advent/Christmas/Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord) as well as any other musical activities that are planned.

Preparation. The watchword of this season. With its penitential undertones, the cry of St. John the Baptist is like a descant over all the hustle and bustle, the hurrying and scurrying, the sights, sounds, and smells of the season as the secular world's idea of "the most wonderful time of the year" bears its weight upon us. But it forgets "the reason for the season". While it began with the Annunciation nine months ago, the beginning of the end of the work of salvation draws nigh.

As we plunge into longer periods of darkness, climaxing with the winter solstice, we "rage against the dying of the light". The Advent wreath, with candles marking each Sunday and standing sentinel over the week, is the reminder we are not only remembering His first coming, but also are preparing for His second. The flames of each taper, in a nod to the Holy Spirit, are a tribute to the Light of the World, a Light which no darkness can overcome.

In this time where gift-giving is a welcome surprise, God has given to us the ultimate gifts in the Word made Flesh--eternal life, forgiveness of sins, reunification with the Father as adopted children.
For this we can sing "Joy To The World", but only after we sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful". And then we cannot be premature with these carols; their place is after midnight on December 25. The time now is for readiness, to find the balance between Martha and Mary. It is a time of waiting to be delivered, just like the Blessed Virgin.

"Prepare the way of the LORD."

The time for that is now.

Besides, anticipation makes for greater gladness when the task is done.

Musical Quotes Through The Ages

Plato (427-347 BC) defined music as "the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue." He also said, "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." Throughout history, his words have been proven true. On this feast day of St. Cecilia, patron of musicians, I offer you other worthy quotes to enforce his definition:

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

Confucius (551-479 BC)

"Do you know that our soul is composed of harmony?"

Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519)

"He who sings scares away his woes."

Miguel Cervantes (1547-1616)

"What passion cannot music raise and quell!"

John Dryden (1631-1700)

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents."

Ludwig van Beethoven (1712-1773)

"Music is the occult metaphysical exercise of a soul not knowing that it philosophizes."

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860)

"All deep things are song. It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls!"

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man
is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."

Victor Hugo (1802-1885)

"Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies."

Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)

(And to think he never wrote a worthy sentence.)

"Music is the universal language of mankind."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

"It is incontestable that music induces in us a sense of the infinite and the contemplation of the invisible."

Victor de LaPrade (1812-1883)

"There is no truer truth obtainable/By Man than comes of music."

Robert Browning (1812-1889)

"There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music."

George Eliot (1819-1880)

"There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is."

William P. Merrill (1832-1902)

"Without music life would be a mistake."

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

"Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory."

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) 

"Truly to sing, that is a different breath."

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)

“To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”

Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

2018 Thankgiving Day Card

May the blessing of God this day keep us in His grace and favor. May He show us His countenance in the abundance of His gifts and His generosity in bestowing them. May He look upon us with kindness and peace as we show our gratitude for all the good things that come from Him.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!

November 2018 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Universal: In the Service of Peace. That the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

October 2018 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Evangelization: The Mission of Religious. That consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

An Adolescent 'Blog

A not-so long time ago in a 'blogosphere very close to here a first post appeared.

It was a very modest beginning. The author, with all the enthusiasm of any rookie 'blogger, announced his presence with a short and sweet blast upon the internet. He knew he wanted to get involved, but was going to be thoughtful about topic and tone. He even managed to create a somewhat memorable catch phrase in his opening words.

It seems like he met with a modicum of success his first two years, then life started handing him lemons and stalled the momentum of his writing. Posting became sporadic and repetitive, with lots or rehashing of old material, with a rare occurrence of something fresh, with mostly long stretches of silence. A star that was seemingly becoming brighter started flickering like a dying nova. Now one has to peer hard to see if it still exists.

Well, a baker's dozen years later, it does. Deo gracias.

I hope that is an accurate assessment of the style and substance of this still "small, quiet voice". It has been and still is an enjoyable part of my life, one which is not ready to be retired, despite the times I have entertained that thought. If I had any place of prominence in the 'blogging world, it's long gone.

Yet my ego is the last thing that needs to be placated. While there have been times the subject has been my life, I have never wanted the 'blog to be about me. The very few times I have had something meaningful to write, when the focus has been about and on God, that is when this star has shined the brightest. And that has brought me enough satisfaction.

I will be the first to admit this infinitesimal corner of the universe does need to be refurbished, just to keep in step with the technology. But I have more immediate and pressing concerns. While not as active, I still keep on eye on events. When I comment, I want my words to have an impact, however small it is. I will continue to bide my time, as long as I still have it here on earth.

While the status quo is status quo, I still have hope for the best, both in this 'blog and in my life. As I said thirteen years ago, "I have some ideas, though." The fertile ground is there, I just need to prepare it.

May God grant me the grace to do it.

"...Going On 17"

 

Here we are again.

It is starting to become familiar to us as individuals and a country--the ceremonies, the tributes, the memorializing. In the places where it happened--New York, NY; Washington, DC; Shanksville, PA--there is more poignancy to the rituals. It is as if we are still returning to "normal" while we are still grieving.

It seems history's most memorable moments are written in blood. So it is with the terrorist attack that claimed 2,996 lives seventeen years ago this day. We have sworn as a nation to "Never Forget" what happened; to this day, we have lived up to our vow.

The images we saw that day and for the next few are still indelible in the country's psyche. Secular icons, yet with an ennobled meaning.

The attacks were a challenge to the core beliefs of the nation. The honor of being the flag bearer for freedom and liberty was insulted. Once again, in my very humble opinion, we defended that honor and those core beliefs against this act of aggression, as we have before. As it is said, "Freedom is not free." In our own way, we pay the price for it and count the cost as nothing.

So once again, as we have in our very recent past, let us remember this day. If there is a tribute in your area, think about attending. This post will be one of many on the 'blogosphere; as always, I encourage you to seek those whose eloquence will far surpass this very humble offering.

Keep in mind the prayer intentions I suggested in 2007 (and updated in 2013). Pray for--

1. The souls of all who died.
2. Those who still mourn.
3. Those who seek a just solution.  (While this may have been accomplished May 1, 2011, have we really solved the problem?)
4. Forgiveness toward our enemies.
5. Our enemies (didn't Someone command us to do this?).
6. The courage to continue the fight.
7. Peace.

It is a time to pause, to reflect, and to mourn. It is a time to come together as a nation and remember E pluribus unum. It is a time to firm our resolve to be a beacon of light for the world.

September 2018 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Universal: Young People in Africa. That young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries.

A reflection for this intention is found here.

August 2018 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when reciting the Morning Offering:

Universal:  The Treasure of Families. That any far-reaching decisions of economist and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.

A reflection for this intention is found here.