The Annie Dillard writing is worth quoting in full.
I think this every time I break the bread and say the Mass.
“On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return. ” ― Annie Dillard
I watched Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ the other day. It struck me how wild Willem Dafoes portrayal is, and the personal struggle with the divinity within the man, and coming to terms with that. That battle we all struggle with, day to day. I remember the furore when it was released in 1988, (but I didn't go and see it, so this was a first viewing), amongst traditional church institutions, and the relgious right. Heresy they cried. Yes, there are some flaws to the film, such as continuing the myth of Mary Magdelene as a reformed prostitute - that's a heresy -, but it stood the test of time. Harvey Keitel a bit of a wooden Judas, suprisingly. But there was a real sense of the desert wild in the telling.
Thank you, Martin, for sharing this again. Like last year, it provoked tears - for all that the world is and all that we, the Body of Yeshua, are not. Who among us could have imagined, a year ago, how much more violent and chaotic the world is this Christmas Eve? Yeshua is truly our only Hope, our Prince of Peace.
From Ohio we wish you an abundance of the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas.
Thanks Martin for this re-connection to a universal Christ and timeless truth. A Christ that appears in a multitude of different ways according to different needs. From gentle Jesus to lord and saviour and the wildman who blows open our minds to see beyond our self-bound vision. Who leads us from our troubled heads and our broken hearts into his light as the Prince of Peace. As a recent visitor to this house, I was drawn perhaps like others to the fireside by Martin's big warm heart! My journey here as well as strolling through the lovely high-banked lanes and rolling hills in which Ashburton nestles with its river and woods of holly and ivy and oak trees has been along the Tibetan byways of resting in pure presence. But I kept being drawn back to Christ's teaching of love that reeled me through the Mandala to its centre. In his previous post Martin suggested we might reflect on how this past year has been for us. In my case it has been one of self-imposed near isolation while I complete my novel. This led to a cutting of ties with people who share not an iota of spiritual/creative sensitivity. I was needing to spend time with soul-centred people not ego-centred ones with big fat pension pots! It would be lovely to meet kindred spirits in this area of Devon. May you all have a lovely peaceful Christmas/Yule Tide and a very happy and healthy New Year jewel laden with sparkling insights!
If that’s the Son imagine what his Father is like! Jesus had a wild walk with the Father. He came so we can be His brothers (“firstborn among many brethren” it says) and know the Father as he did. Merry Christmas and blessings!
Thank you Martin, for this reminder of the reality of the incarnation, in a season when reality seems suspended out there in the world. By the way, next time you're back in Dublin and at a loose end, let a subscriber buy you a Guinness! Peter on 07964 451197. Praying your every need this Christmas and coming year.
Thank-you Martin. Yes Stay Awake! Blessed was the stillness and quiet at Dawn. Mother Mary,Mother of God says "Let It Be" Mary speaks Words of Wisdom x x
God Bless you Martin and Merry Christmas!
The Annie Dillard writing is worth quoting in full.
I think this every time I break the bread and say the Mass.
“On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return. ” ― Annie Dillard
Raw, jagged-edged words to awake all lads who are succumbing to a bit of slumber. Camel hair, not velvet...wake up lad...this is for all the marbles.
Gratefully read
Merry Christmas! To you and yours! Good medicine in these words, a wonderful gift, thank you
Merry Christ Mass my brother.
Here is something for you i wrote a couple of years ago.
As I went walking by the River a Raven i did see
He talked and talked and wouldn't shut up and this he said to me....
Go the slow and long way round around the winding cup
For A to B is A to dead, to start you must back up!
If you have found the darkling wood is the place to Be
Then you must seek the darkest bit and then begin to See
Dont take the door beneath the stairs that winds both down and up for A to Z is A to dead and you wont find the cup.
Find a tree that's one and three and dig to find its heart
Then step inside and close the gate and finish where you start
Go the way you think is best then promptly turn around
And turn around and turn around and then the cup is found.
GRR
Ah the wise Corvids…
Indeed!
This made me want to crack open St George MacDonald's "Lilith" again 😊❤️🔥🎄
Thankyou for this Martin. Wonderful words. May the Christchild come to rest in the poor stables of all souls
I watched Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ the other day. It struck me how wild Willem Dafoes portrayal is, and the personal struggle with the divinity within the man, and coming to terms with that. That battle we all struggle with, day to day. I remember the furore when it was released in 1988, (but I didn't go and see it, so this was a first viewing), amongst traditional church institutions, and the relgious right. Heresy they cried. Yes, there are some flaws to the film, such as continuing the myth of Mary Magdelene as a reformed prostitute - that's a heresy -, but it stood the test of time. Harvey Keitel a bit of a wooden Judas, suprisingly. But there was a real sense of the desert wild in the telling.
Thank you, Martin, for sharing this again. Like last year, it provoked tears - for all that the world is and all that we, the Body of Yeshua, are not. Who among us could have imagined, a year ago, how much more violent and chaotic the world is this Christmas Eve? Yeshua is truly our only Hope, our Prince of Peace.
From Ohio we wish you an abundance of the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas.
Thanks Martin for this re-connection to a universal Christ and timeless truth. A Christ that appears in a multitude of different ways according to different needs. From gentle Jesus to lord and saviour and the wildman who blows open our minds to see beyond our self-bound vision. Who leads us from our troubled heads and our broken hearts into his light as the Prince of Peace. As a recent visitor to this house, I was drawn perhaps like others to the fireside by Martin's big warm heart! My journey here as well as strolling through the lovely high-banked lanes and rolling hills in which Ashburton nestles with its river and woods of holly and ivy and oak trees has been along the Tibetan byways of resting in pure presence. But I kept being drawn back to Christ's teaching of love that reeled me through the Mandala to its centre. In his previous post Martin suggested we might reflect on how this past year has been for us. In my case it has been one of self-imposed near isolation while I complete my novel. This led to a cutting of ties with people who share not an iota of spiritual/creative sensitivity. I was needing to spend time with soul-centred people not ego-centred ones with big fat pension pots! It would be lovely to meet kindred spirits in this area of Devon. May you all have a lovely peaceful Christmas/Yule Tide and a very happy and healthy New Year jewel laden with sparkling insights!
“…the Teacher helps me descend as much as ascend.’ ♥️
From what heaven does kindness come
What invisible angels
Instruction from soundless stars
Listen...
Time is the music heard by children
These nativities
Many voices
Tribute to Sliman's Sky chosen for the cover of Yahia Lababidi's poems 'Palestinian Wail'
Be of Good Cheer!
If that’s the Son imagine what his Father is like! Jesus had a wild walk with the Father. He came so we can be His brothers (“firstborn among many brethren” it says) and know the Father as he did. Merry Christmas and blessings!
Thank you Martin, for this reminder of the reality of the incarnation, in a season when reality seems suspended out there in the world. By the way, next time you're back in Dublin and at a loose end, let a subscriber buy you a Guinness! Peter on 07964 451197. Praying your every need this Christmas and coming year.
Thank-you Martin. Yes Stay Awake! Blessed was the stillness and quiet at Dawn. Mother Mary,Mother of God says "Let It Be" Mary speaks Words of Wisdom x x
First thing I read waking up this morning… I needed that today. Thank your Martin. All glory to the born/unborn servant-King !
Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas to you x
Beautiful as always👌🏼✨ 🎄