My Soul Rejoices in God My Savior
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Category Archives: Spirituality
The Angel Announcements
Not like Barocci’s kneeling pink-cheeked girl
(who’d be afraid of her?) with white lace wings
that gazes up at Mary with a smile…
No, warrior Gabriel had frightened kings
and generals when he appeared: “Fear not!”
had been his necessary words to all.
More likely it was Mary fell prostrate
as holy light threw shadows on the wall,
and words that she was blest and would give birth
without knowing a man clouded her mind.
To Joseph came the same confounding truth:
an angel in a dream said he would find
her pregnant without sex. The angel’s word
from God caused them to accept the absurd.
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 27, 2012
go to church on sunday
do we
not need
for more
sake to be
ass reminded
embling than
together instructed
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, Dec. 23, 2012
Publisher’s note: struggle with this one for a while. Then post your comment on the poem.
Choir
surrounded by sounds
of other breathing bodies
strong voices lead
others join
…
the director
cajoles pleads whips
with eyes hands baton
…
a legion of devils
become angels
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 22, 2012
Question from Views from the Edge:
Should there be 26, 27, or 28 tollings of the bell and candles lit after the tragedy of Newtown? Were Adam and Nancy members of the Choir?
“The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” – NRA Gospel.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Jesus from the cross.
2012 NRA Christmas Message – Part 2
Angels announcing good news to the shepherds.
Gospel according to Luke 2:8-14, Revised Version, NRA Bible:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is announced this day the gift of armed guards in every school. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find Joseph standing guard over an innocent child in Bethlehem.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to guns in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.”
” Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy! – NRA Christmas Message, December 21, 2012
2012 NRA Christmas Message – Part 1
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.- NRA Press Conference, Dec. 21, 2012
“Ecce Homo” (Behold the Man), Albrecht Durer
“If I’d only had a gun….?” – Jesus of Nazareth, First Century CE.
Sermon: “The Tragedy of Safety”
This sermon, originally titled “Rejoice!”, was preached last Sunday following the tragedy in Newtown, CT. It turns to the biblical tradition and the classic Greek and Shakespearean theater for a different perspective in the aftermath of unspeakable violence and horror at Sandy Hook.
Pondering
Mary pondering
Mary did not think about these things,
(she did not weigh pros and cons, did not
analyze, dissect, or speculate),
no…”But Mary kept all those sayings
and pondered them in her heart.”
…
“Peace in earth, & towards all good will,” said
heavenly soldiers, messengers from God.
Shepherds spread the news of Mary’s child;
she reflected, (undistracted), mulled
and wondered when peace would start…
– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 21, 2012
“All Things Considered” (MPR, 91.1 FM) This Afternoon
The Tragedy of Sandy Hook is scheduled to air this afternoon between 5:25 and 5:50 CST, but as one of the producers reminds us, “the time is always subject to change. To be safe, listen to the whole show.”
Thanks to the good folks of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR 91.1 FM) for publishing the piece.
Confronting our inclination to violence
A thoughtful reflection from New Zealand:
Views from the Edge 