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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 year ago

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28th August >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor

Monday, Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time.

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the feria (Monday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8-10 You broke with idolatry when you were converted to God.

From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction. And you observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread – and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 149:1-6,9

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips: this honour is for all his faithful.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation John 17:17

Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord: consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia!

Or: John 10:27

Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 23:13-22 Alas for you, blind guides!

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who shut up the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go in who want to.

‘Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when you have him you make him twice as fit for hell as you are.

‘Alas for you, blind guides! You who say, “If a man swears by the Temple, it has no force; but if a man swears by the gold of the Temple, he is bound.” Fools and blind! For which is of greater worth, the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? Or else, “If a man swears by the altar it has no force; but if a man swears by the offering that is on the altar, he is bound.” You blind men! For which is of greater worth, the offering or the altar that makes the offering sacred? Therefore, when a man swears by the altar he is swearing by that and by everything on it. And when a man swears by the Temple he is swearing by that and by the One who dwells in it. And when a man swears by heaven he is swearing by the throne of God and by the One who is seated there.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------

Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 1 John 4:7-16 Let us love one another, since love comes from God.

My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.

My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us. We can know that we are living in him and he is living in us because he lets us share his Spirit. We ourselves saw and we testify that the Father sent his Son as saviour of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves. God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118(119):9-14

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

How shall the young remain sinless? By obeying your word. I have sought you with all my heart; let me not stray from your commands.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

I treasure your promise in my heart lest I sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

With my tongue I have recounted the decrees of your lips. I rejoiced to do your will as though all riches were mine.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia! You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 23:8-12 The greatest among you must be your servant.

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will exalted.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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yukiobeyme · 5 years ago

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Hi! How about a hc of the demon brother's reactions to MC being skilled at playing the harp? I heard that the harp is an instrument played by the angels. It would be interesting to know how they would react since they were once angels themselves 🥺

Is this me answering a prompt?! Wow, spring break is a blessing in disguise. This was a lot of fun and I overkilled it and I am only kinda sorry. Also, enjoy a bonus of Diavolo and Simeon.

Warning I did take a religious approach to it cause how the harp is played by Angels, but it’s just saying that MC grew up in church but is ambiguous to if MC is still religious.

MC being able to play the harp

There was a harp tucked into the corner of the common room, the same room as a grand piano because owning one grand piano wasn’t enough to Lucifer; the other one being in his private study.

You have been playing forever, remember it being tied to old memories to your grandparents and growing up in church. Remembering how you use to have such clumsy, stubby, child-like hands. The hours you spend playing, learning pieces that you could only imagine what Angels sound like when they sing.

When you first stumbled upon the harp, you didn’t dare to touch it. Mammon was the one that caught you staring, he told you it was actually Lucifer’s and from the Celestial Realm itself. He would mention that Lucifer probably had the old scared hymns somewhere on the bookcases.

Each time you went into the room, you would go and admire it. It would take five times to see it before you even touched it. Another two visits warranted a light touch of the strings. In an odd and rare moment of none of the brothers hanging off you or even in the same room as you, you sat on the petal and stared at the strings before you rose your hands to gently strum the strings. You found it was still beautifully in tune, you moved mechanically into the seat position, straighten your back and hands hovered over the strings. You started strumming lightly, fingers slowly remember how to play. You would stumble a little at first but too quiet to hear to the untrained ear. Without you knowing you played louder as you got more confident and relaxed, soon you were moving fluidity playing your grandmother’s favorite hymn, the one she always requested. The one you probably knew best, could play with your eyes close, the one you could lose yourself in when you play.

Lucifer:

His private study is off the room where you were playing

At first, he didn’t notice it, he heard it and recognized the hymn that was being played and even knew it was his harp.

When it clicked someone was playing the harp, he would set down his fountain pen, straightening his back, and his mind raced to try to figure out who was playing it. Other than Lucifer, Asmodeus was the only one who knew how to play well, Satan is off and on playing it every hundred years but recently he had been off so maybe he picked it up again.

Lucifer let himself relax, the hymn being one of his favorites as well, one he could play. His fingers would twitch with muscle memory. He hasn’t heard the hymn, played it or even thought about it since his fall.

He would slowly rise and go to his harp.

When he saw you playing, he was surprised and taken back

He would just stand and watch

After you finished, he watched you lean back with your eyes closed, completely relaxed as you hummed to yourself

“I didn’t know you played,” he would call out to you as he stepped forward

You would jump a little and blush immediately embarrassed to be caught, Lucifer would smirk at your reaction

“You should play more often”

He would give you pieces to learn, the ones Mammon talked about; the ones that only Angels knew. Lucifer would teach you alternative ways or the proper way the hymns you knew. How they were supposed to be played. That over the years or well eons, the cords were simplified for humans, but he knew you could handle it.

Would be shy at first but then he would just be his assertive self and ask if you would play for him

You realized he would do it when he was particularly stressed, you would learn how he carries his stress and simply play when you knew he was getting worked up, so he rarely had to ask you.

Whenever you would play, he would have a faint smile on his face and let his eyes flutter close; basking in the beautiful notes you would play.

You would always ask him to play for you but never gave in. The only time he played was to show you new cords or to let you hear how the music was supposed to sound.

But late one night, you heard the harp play softly. All the other brothers heard and knew that because you were in the room with him, it had to be Lucifer. So, you would rush into the room, stumbling and trying to remain quiet but desperate to catch a glimpse. You would all be in awe and it seemed that Mammon and Asmodeus would be the most moved to see Lucifer play again.

Seeing how Lucifer seemed to melt into the song and play. The brothers would whisper how this is the happiest and most relaxed Lucifer. They tell you this was Lilith’s song; a song Lucifer’s wrote. They haven’t heard it since before the Lilith fell in love with a human. They were all moved but by the end of the song; Asmodeus, Beelzebub, and Belphegor had tears in their eyes.

Lucifer knew you were there, “Did you enjoy?” he would ask before he would simply raise then go back to his study to work. Would occasionally indulge you in late night playing; never did it when asked just random but you all were quick to drop whatever to see him play.

Mammon:

Thought Lucifer was playing again, after all these years. And while they didn’t get along most of the time, Lucifer playing the harp was one of Mammon’s favorite things and when they got along the most. Though he would never dare to tell Lucifer that. He probably missed that most about the Celestial Realm; how relaxed Lucifer was and how he always played the harp whenever he was deep in thought or simply wanted quiet time.

So, he was immediately drawn to the room when he first heard the harp cords, probably almost ran to the room; in hopes to catch a glimpse of Lucifer playing. It was Lucifer’s favorite hymn, the one Lucifer played beautifully and seemed to always seem to lose himself in the most.

So, he was shocked and in awe when he saw you playing.

Would slowly approach as if it was sacred and disrupting you would make the harp disappear and vanish.

When you noticed him, you would gesture him to a seat near you and play another song. You would eventually ask if he had any requests.

He actually had two songs, he wanted you to play. He seemed to purr when you started to play them. He would lean in and let his eyes closed. He would gently hum along, nothing too loud to overpower your playing but loud enough for you to hear him.

Late at night, after a few days when you caught you playing. He asked where and just why you knew how to play. You would tell him all the stories and memories you had about the harp. How you actually played in church, though you haven’t you placed in front of a crowd in years. Once your grandparents passed away it was harder to play. But now you were a lot older you could happily remember all the times you played the harp. You would tell him if he thought you were good; he should have seen how your grandfather; a huge man from all his years of doing hard-work but how his old working callous hands, fingers so nimble would move so delicately across the strings. How everyone would be in awe, and he always gathered a crowd.

Mammon would tell you about how Lucifer played. Might even disclosed to you he loved it when Lucifer played and even slightly missed it. How he would seat, listen and watch Lucifer played for hours. How he never dared or thought about selling those hymns or harps. It means too much for him to even consider that.

Would search to find Lucifer’s old celestial hymns, desperate to hear them again. And in awe how you could sight-read and could play most of the song fluently though you never even heard of them before.

Would beg, he didn’t admit that, Lucifer to help you figure out the cords, you didn’t know or couldn’t figure out

And was so excited when Lucifer finally gave in.

He was greedy, drinking it in whenever you played. Asked you to play all the time. Has even sat on the floor in front of you. Asked you play on his sleepless night, and without fall would lure him to sleep

You wrote a song for him, especially for when he couldn’t sleep, it was a soft melody of all of Mammon’s favorite cords. He would finally ask about the song, because he always fell asleep whenever you played it. He asked because he didn’t recognize it and when you shyly told him you wrote it for him, he was over the moon. Bragged about it and asked you to play it for his brothers. He would fall asleep and the brother’s got more blackmail of him sleeping.

Leviathan:

Didn’t leave his room often but a manga you were reading together, and an anime just released the next installment and he needed you so he could catch up, guilt-free.

He started towards your room but stilled when he heard the notes of the old Celestial instrument, he paused mid-step and simply listened. He knew how Lucifer, Satan and even how Asmodeus played, so he figured if he just listened hard enough, he would know who was playing. He ruled out Lucifer quickly, hardly even considered it but then realized he had to rule out Satan and Asmodeus for the same reason. It was a hymn, a hymn Satan probably has only read about in books, something Lucifer probably hasn’t thought about since the fall, and while Asmodeus adored playing hymns he only knew 3 or 4 of them.

So he went to go investigate it. Maybe Asmodeus had learned a new Hymn or Satan probably read about this hymn and decided to look in up and see what it sounded like. Levi created the whole scenario in his head, Satan reading some sappy romance book and this particular hymn being mentioned. It wasn’t a common hymn, even Levi only heard it a couple hundred times, so Satan probably would have no idea what it was supposed to sound like. So being Satan he would research the hymn and then he had found the music sheet he would learn to play it, it all made sense.

Of course, he was speechless to find you sitting at the harp instead. He would be lying if he said it didn’t take his breath. He stood still, taking in the sight. He realized then how much he missed hearing the harp being played, how much he missed watching someone play.

He would finally be able to make his way back to where you were playing. Simply captivated with how moved he felt. You looked so happy and peaceful. You were just a normie and you were playing this hymn so well, Levi would swear angels would cry.

“Oh” was all Levi heard when he snapped back to reality seeing your face bright red. Levi matched your redness realizing he was staring and who knows how long.

“So, ugh you know how to play the harp?” Levi mentally kicked himself, of course, you did. He just experienced a performance that made him want to get on his knees and pray. Thank God for making this moment happen.

You couldn’t help but laugh at the question, but you said yes anyway. Knowing that at least you both were at the same level of embarrassment.

“Do you need something?” You finally ask after some more silence; you were both desperately trying to not watch each other but failing miserably

“ugh yea, there new installment for the manga and anime we got into,” His face brightening a bit again and rubbed the back of his neck. You would swiftly stand and walk over to him, “Shall we then?” you asked him and nudged him before leading him out of the room.

Sometime later you asked Levi to meet you in the library, saying something about studying and knowing neither of you would work in Levi’s room. But instead of settling down at a table you would lead him back to the harp. Flashing him a nervous smile, you would play the TSL theme and then his favorite song from TSL.

Levi would be speechless and confused about why you would take so much time to do this for him. You then would spend the next long while talking about what other anime themes song like on the harp. You would pluck and play just by your ears and memories of how the music sounded.

Later Levi would finally ask you about how long you knew how to play, which turned the night into a long one. Staying up and retelling your life and how the harp was involved.

Satan:

There is a reason why he is compared to a cat, he was curled up in the library, reading. Out of plan sight and once he saw you entered, he called out to greet you but stopped once he saw you took an interest in Lucifer’s harp that is tucked away from the rest of the library.

An instrument not even he had touched in the last few centuries. He watched you curiously, he doesn’t even recall a time you would have even seen the harp. His curiosity only seemed to grow as he watched you take a seat and seemed to hesitate before you moved to the starting position he recognized.

He felt his eyes widen some at the sound of the first few cords, instantly recognizing the hymn. While he was never an angel, he was sadly apart of Lucifer and some emotions and memories seemed to tangle and try to take form as his own. Which in a lot of ways was frustrating because he felt a strong emotion towards the hymn, but he knew it wasn’t his own.

He would put his book down completely and just watched you intently. Not knowing what to do, it was most likely to late to make his presence known, he decided to enjoy the private show. You would play through two more pieces before your head would instantly snap towards Satan.

Satan would jump a little in surprise, “How long have you been watching me,” your voice had heat, but Satan knew it was from angry it was from embarrassment.

“I was reading before you came in,” he would shrug but flash you the book he was reading.

“oh,” you would look away shyly not knowing what to do. You knew Satan didn’t have ties to Heaven as the other brothers did. It was a little embarrassing, to have someone catch you.

“I play as well, haven’t in a while,” Satan would smirk at you a little as he rose and made his way to you.

“A human while or demon while?” You asked, genuinely curious but also wanted to tease him some

“A few centuries,” Satan stopped right in front of you and wordlessly you would switch positions. Satan would play a song for you. You thought you knew the song but didn’t know how to play it. When Satan finished, he let his hands fall to his side, “It’s a more complex version of a song in the human realm,” Satan answering your unasked question before quickly replaying the bridge with the tune you were a little more familiar with.

“You will have to teach me it,” you said a little too confidently and instead of asking. You would look at Satan all wide eye and how could Satan say no to you.

When he taught you the song, he would seat behind you and invading your personal space. His chest and his hips were flushed with yours and his arms would hover just above yours; to help guide you through the chords and the song. It would be the best and worst experience ever.

You couldn’t focus and kept messing up but finally, your face would set to a light pink and your heart settled in an unstable rhythm. The red would deepen, and your heart stuttered whenever he shifted or moved in the slightest. But you did eventually learn it, even if you kept making mistakes to be corrected.

Asmodeus:

Was looking for you and once he heard the harp, he was even giddier than before. He was excited to share his devilgram pictures, talk about some of the attractive demons he saw, and when he was out shopping, he found a new store he wanted to revisit with you. But now that mission was put off in favor to see the harp player.

Asmodeus was familiar with the hymn and would hum to himself, occasionally the words would fall from his lips. When he pushed open the door and found you, the little human, playing such an angelic instrument. He swooned, how could a human look so fragile and small, but also look so angelic.

He would take a small step forward, singing the song softly. Your breath would hitch but you managed to continue to play smoothly. Smiling gently as you continued to play. When you finished the song, you would drop your hands and smile brightly at Asmodeus.

His heart would stutter, he might not have an effect on you, but you affected him, constantly. And in that moment, he was in a trance. Whether it was from the hearing the harp again or how you are smiling so brightly at him, he didn’t know.

He would ask you to play another song and move to stand behind you and sing behind you. It would be a beautiful sight for anyone who stumbled upon it. After the song, your heart would feel so light and you were just so happy.

Asmodeus would be a little conflicted, there was so much to talk about and do now. From his adventures earlier today and to this discovery. He finally decided to pull you into a big hug first. Which you were quick to return even if you were confused with why.

Asmodeus would rapid-fire a few questions about your skills with the harp, really interested in someone other than himself. He would practically have a comment for anything you said. From relating it back to his skills, songs he knew, and stories before the fall.

Would invite you back to his room so you could talk comfortable. The more you talked the touchier he got. Before long, you finally managed to ask him why he came to the library in the first place.

Which thankfully he launched into an animated retelling of his day, seamlessly forgetting about swing you play the harp.

Though he would ask you to join him when he played and if you ever played, he would love to join you and sing the songs behind you.

Beelzebub:

Was going back to his room after a kitchen raid, walking proud like a penguin that caught a delicious fish, when he heard the harp playing. His mind immediately went to Lucifer then Asmodeus. Lucifer hasn’t played in years, so it was much more likely to be Asmo. He was excited because no has touched the harp in a few hundred years

He dropped his snacks when he entered the room and saw you playing. Was just in complete awe. Swore in that moment you were actually an angel that everyone was mistaken.

You immediately stopped playing at the sudden noise and looked horrified. He began to rush through apologizes and begged you to continue to play. Asked for only one song, and it became a regular song you played even when Beelzebub wasn’t there just so you could keep it in practice. Because how his face lit up made it worth it. You would play it until your fingers bleed if it meant Beelzebub would smile at you like that.

He wouldn’t ask you to play all the time for him and he didn’t ask you any questions about why you knew how to play the harp, though the confusion was evident on his face. You would randomly tell him the whole story of why you knew how to play the harp, the memories you had about it, and how you haven’t been able to play or even seen a harp in years. So, seeing the harp here, it just called to you and you finally gave in to temptation.

Beelz would laugh at that and say you have been spending too much time with Demons, especially for you to give in to temptation like that. Though you knew he was completely teasing you.

Randomly he would tell you about how Lucifer knew how to play or Beelz is sure Lucifer still knows how to play but Lucifer doesn’t play anymore. Would tell you about Lilith’s song, but sadly says that only Lucifer knows it, he wrote it, and that Lucifer never wrote it down. He would then shoot off in a retelling of how Lilith played the harp, well if you could call it that. He would laugh and tell you while she was an angel, she couldn’t play. She tried her best and it sounds okay, but it was never angelic sounding.

You would want to ask Lucifer so badly about Lilith’s song but knew that it wouldn’t end well, so instead, you play whatever Beelz favorite songs were. You couldn’t bring back his sister, but you could bring back all the happy memories he had of her.

Belphegor:

Belphegor was tired and dragging his feet back to his room for his afternoon nap. But took a detour when he heard the harp.

Just like the rest of the brothers, he knew it wasn’t Lucifer playing but the playstyle didn’t match the other two that knew how to play. And besides, it was a hymn, and rarely do they do things that are directly linked to the Celestial Realm, sure they had their belongings from before the fall and stuff they bought and acquired but playing a hymn would be too sacred for them.

So, he went to peek, he paused when he saw it was you playing. You had finished the hymn and started up another song. He wasn’t familiar with it, but it felt like a lullaby. He would walk closer and mutter at you to keep play and practically curled up and fell asleep to you playing.

He would wake up sometime later with his blanket from the Planetarium over him and you curled up near him but not touching. While you had also managed to gather your schoolbooks, you were now fast asleep. He let himself watch you and let his emotions and thoughts run a bit.

There was a lot and he was confused. He knew you were related to Lilith, that probably why you could play the harp so well. Seeing you play he was wondering if maybe you were an angel in disguise and not just related to his sister. Especially right now with you asleep beside him, you looked equal parts human and angel. So fragile and vulnerable but there was something about how peaceful your face looked that made you look angelic as well.

You would wake up to him looking at you, you would flush and scramble up. Belphegor a little surprised to be caught but would recover quickly. Would thank you for playing, in which you were bashful to respond. He could eat you right up.

He asked what the last song you played was or the one he fell asleep too and you told him you actually weren’t too sure. It was a lullaby that goes back for generations, that all the women in your family learned to play the harp at some point. You made mention that it was rumored to go back for centuries, Belphegor would laugh at that and tell you Lilith play, horribly. So, he wouldn’t be too surprised if maybe it was just in your blood to play.

Though you played so well, it would be a match for even angels to play just as well. You would take the opportunity to ask more about Lilith, seeing he opened the floor to you. So Belphegor gave you a short run done of Celestial Realm, who played, how well if they still play and even told you about the history of the harp you played.

Belphegor claimed to not know much, that if you wanted a full run down, you needed to talk to Lucifer. Even though it seemed he knew enough, it felt like he could write a book about it.

This is definitely the moment you became a lot closer to each other. Any walls either of you still had up or reserves you had about each other were gone. It was amazing a simple instrument seemed to draw you a lot closer together.

Whenever Belphegor couldn’t sleep, his mind racing or on the particularly hard days of missing Lilith, he would go find you and ask you to play. Unlike the other brothers, he would lean against you as you played.

It hasn’t failed yet to make him fall asleep and he was grateful for it.

BONUS

Diavolo:

Knew of rumors that Lucifer played while an angel. He had let himself into the House of Lamentation. He was in search for Lucifer and figured maybe he was playing again. Diavolo was so excited to finally see Lucifer play. Would rush and be giddy to see it.

Would softly “oh” in awe when he saw a human play an angelic instrument. Taking in how you almost looked like an angel when you played. Would accentually interrupt you, “You aren’t Lucifer,”

“I’m not,” you would reply with a laugh

Requested you to play occasionally.

Told Lucifer about how you played.

You learned ballroom music for Diavolo

And if you ever played that instead of hymns. He would actually dance across the room pretending he has a partner.

It was always a beautiful sight to see; you playing the harp and Diavolo dancing around the room

Simeon:

Thought his brother, well brother no more, was playing again.

He was in the House of Lamentation for a meeting with Diavolo and Lucifer and just figured because he was early Lucifer was playing before it.

Snuck quietly into the room, hoping to catch Lucifer play; but when he saw you playing, he was surprised and quite impressed.

Would just watch you play, unmoving and if someone looked at him, they would say he wasn’t even breathing

You would stop playing when you heard “Simeon, you are late! What are you doing?” It was Lucifer but didn’t have as much heat as with his brothers

You would look up and meet Simeon's eyes, shocked you never heard him come in.

He gave you a quick nod before disappearing.

You wouldn’t see him until class, you would whisper back and forth all class. He would tell you that you played like an angel. It felt like he was home again in the Celestial Realm.

Told you that there was a harp in the House of Purgatory and told you could play it whenever you pleased

So, every so often you went and played for him, Solomon, and Luke.

#obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #lucifer obey me #mammon obey me #leviathan obey me #satan obey me #asmodeus obey me #beelzebub obey me #belphegor obey me #obey me diavolo #obey me simeon #yuki writes

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tam--lin · 5 years ago

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Have you any music/artists/albums you've listened to lately that you would recommend? I'm seeking new things to listen to and trust your taste in musical noises implicitly

Ah, Kate, you might be too trusting since there's no way you could possibly know that, in middle school, I was obsessed with the best of Asia album.

But! That’s behind us! I am always happy to talk about music that I like!

Run Boy Run is a great little bluegrass/newgrass band from Arizona. I love their harmonies, their very pretty murder songs, and their lovely originals (Cora Belle is a favorite.)

I wish I remembered who on Tumblr pointed me towards The Amazing Devil's most recent album, The Horror and the Wild, because it's incredible. It's so lush and theatrical (and they're independent? how??). I guess this is the part where I tell you that The Amazing Devil is Joey Batey and Madeleine Hyland. Yes, Joey Batey from The Witcher.

Jessica Pearson and the East Wind are a teeny little Canadian band that have some lovely originals and spirited arrangements and I think more people should listen to them.

Squirrel Butter is a Seattle-based duo where it's hard to believe there are only two people playing. Old-time, both traditional and in-the-style-of originals.

I've been listening to Lady Maisery's album Cycle a lot recently. Traditional British, plus some original stuff, with lovely harmonies. Man, I’m a sucker for great harmonies.

The Crane Wives play folk rock/pop with some great harmonies and an honest, eclectic sound.

The Jerry Cans perform a fun of rock, pop, and country. They often sing in Inuktitut, and their music features lots of with traditional Inuit throat singing.

Vienna Teng's 2013 album Aims is hard to classify and is more alternative than folk, but if you haven't listened to it, you really should.

I thought I knew sacred harp singing because I grew up with shapenote hymnals. I was very wrong. The Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Community albums on Spotify are very good.

And to finish us out, a non-folk speedround: Marmozets, Dream Wife, Jade Bird, Freelance Whales, Goat Girl, Screaming Females, The Regrettes, Blue Kid, The Aces.

#I hope it's ok I'm making this public!#figured some others might be interested #music #folk music #seaglassandeelgrass

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yfere · 5 years ago

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Shipping Calculus! Live Updates from C2E65

Why no one started singing the K-I-S-S-I-N-G tree song during this episode, I have no idea. Thank you to @alarnia and @softazelma for helping with data entry. Masterpost here.

+500 to Liam O’Brien/The Sympathy Vote If anything, the investigative report humanized the man, what with his agonized expressions, the hard choices he’s making, the deals, trying desperately to hold onto his friendships. Sam Riegel seems like a robot in comparison, with very long bits. #VoteWithYourJohnson #LiamForPresident

-100 to Marisha Ray/Trustworthiness as the person in charge of the investigation into Liam O’Brien’s campaign, we expect a certain amount of clearheadedness and integrity, which does not include getting high before giving testimony. Fire her from the case! #VoteWithYourJohnson #LiamForPresident

+23 to Jester/Yasha for an adorkable conversation about Yasha’s hard rock harping career, using the imagination to handle hard feelings together, as all good Jester ships should. The offer to wipe Yasha’s memory again if there’s anything she doesn’t want to know or remember #ThatsLove, and Yasha channeling Jester’s slightly unhinged love of animals and peacemaking by speculating they could offer the udak some scritches to quell its murderous impulses. Yasha quoting Jester only about 500 times a day, worshipping the ground she walks on, believing she has the power to heal the grass, and then placing that grass into her pressed flower book to remember the moment with #ArtisticSolidarity.

+31 to Beau/Yasha, with a few Battle Aftercare Points for Yasha helping up Beau after the fight, and for an even more emotionally charged watch conversation that resulted in a Ljore Drop from Beau. Talking about past loves and betrayals, the “types” that Beau prefers. Yasha appreciating Beau’s lack of judgment, Beau only slightly ineffectively wielding her I’m-Horrible-Too trump card, Yasha saying she’s “seen” Beau “a lot.” Floating the idea that it is actually possible to move on from Zuala’s death. Beau offering to help Yasha dig up the body, because that’s not weird at all, That’s Love. Darlings. Points taken away because the focus of the conversation was almost entirely on other people they love and have loved, and Jester, which brings us to…

+10 to Beau/Yasha/Jester, as in the launch of the second major intra-party poly ship in the shipping calculus lab, we have two wlw who spend a substantial amount of their Lesbian Bonding Time just talking about how beautiful and perfect and incredible Jester Lavorre is. Fuck Caduceus, this Literal Saint walking amongst them can heal grass with her spit and her “radiant glow”. With the same logic, we can expect that her toenails cure poison, her kiss brings you back from the brink of death…Also, Jester lending Verbal Support to Yasha’s physical support after the gloomstalker battle, as Beau wrestles with embarrassment over not having done anything

+10 to Caleb/Fjord/Jester as our second poly ship gains points with Caleb saving both Fjord and Jester from plummeting to their deaths and Fjord taking the chance to thunderstep them both up the tree again!

+17 to Jester/Fjord but as usual, Fjord’s contribution to the Rescue-the-Jester operation looks a lot flashier, so he gets more of the Romance Credit. Not only that, but many points for a competitive tree-climbing adventure straight out of a romance novel where Fjord’s Need To Impress The Love Interest gives him enough adrenaline to actually beat out Jester on athletics, swinging her up safely into the branches like a magical green Tarzan. Fjord (and Beau) being lovingly sketched in Jester’s book so she can remember the moment forever. Excellent Battle Couple vibes in distracting and shooting down gloomstalkers while on the moorbounders, not once but twice. Fjord also made an admirable attempt to Rescue-the-Jester during the first gloomstalker attack, but Caduceus got +6 to Cockblocking for immediately assassinating the charmed gloomstalker before Fjord’s spell did any good. Fjord yelling at Nott for not listening to Jester. Plenty of point loss, however, because Fjord is never going to learn to love Jester’s animals, losing his cool and yelling about what her “fucking animal is doing” STOP, Fjord.

+5 to Jester/Caduceus, for the aforementioned gloomstalker assassination, and being #Blessed alongside Yasha and Fjord, but point loss for Caduceus rolling his eyes at Jester’s well-meaning attempt to spit the grass to life and saying “that’s not how it works,” saying “that’s not how it works” about the scrying despite having never succeeded in doing it himself, and for Jester insisting that the massive tree is an evil “vampire tree,” much to Caduceus’ dismay.

+15 to Caduceus/Arts-n-Crafts for sweetly weaving a sunhat for Yasha while everyone else does dumb shit like nearly getting themselves killed, damaging a holy tree and antagonizing the largest bird of prey in several miles’ radius. He’ll probably sit through whatever encounter happens next week continuing to weave that hat.

+20 to Sam Riegel/Heatstroke as he responds to Concerns over his sweating and over-warm getup by putting on more layers. I’d expect a President with some more self-preservation in him, but if he offs himself with poor costuming choices at least he’ll be taken out of the running, am I right? #VoteWithYourJohnson #LiamForPresident

+16 to Beau/Jester They also earn many Battle Points, as Jester sends her nastiest Guiding Bolts (according to Sam Riegel, an expression of love) rocketing towards the gloomstalker attacking Beau. Beau instantly thinking of Jester’s skill with art and asking her to copy the map, and Jester adorably sketching Beau as one of her favorite people up in the tree, besides thinking that Beau’s tree climbing skills are Incredibly Impressive, and sneaking alongside her and Fjord to get a better look at the roc nest. Point loss for Beau saying Jester’s map was “garbage” which, even though Beau meant the map itself and not Jester’s skill in copying it, Jester still took personally.

-10 to Caleb/The Mission as he confesses to “losing faith” during watch with Nott, feeling like they’re failing and they don’t know what they’re doing.

+25 to Caduceus/The Mission as despite the Wildmother telling him Things He Did Not Want To Hear during his Communing session, Caduceus gets a massive, massive sign he’s going in the right direction in the form of Melora’s tree, and a detailed vision of all the places he’s expected to go to when he sleeps that night.

+19 to Caduceus/Nature as Caduceus plays around in the dirt, pokes at some interesting moss for several minutes, and gets to hang out, utterly smitten with a massive tree that is the best thing ever look at it.

+4 to Caleb/Fjord as no one listens to Fjord’s desire for a short rest, and even his puppy eyes directed at Jester is not enough to sway them, until Caleb catches on to Fjord’s plight and uses his #ItPaysToBeADamselInDistress power to say he wants a short rest, and shift the party to his favor. Caleb wanting some light to read his now-apparently-waterproof book for the Tiny Hut, and Fjord eagerly offering to cast a spell to make Caleb and everything around him darker. It’s the thought that counts? Point loss for Fjord ignoring Caleb’s advice against antagonizing the chasing gloomstalkers.

-2 to Caleb/Cat-Shaped Creatures as asking Frumpkin-the-Vulture with his razor claws to knead and drape himself on people is not nearly as comforting as actually having a real-life cat do it. However, +10 to Caleb/Vulture Culture for that and for turning himself into a huge bird of prey to cart Nott around.

-5 to Jester/Cat-Shaped Creatures (also -5 to Jester/Pets) as despite attempting to comfort Yarnball after the first gloomstalker fight, Yarnball remains spooked enough to break formation when they encounter them again, at which point Jester channels Alison Hargreeves vibes by lying and using mind control to get the poor thing back in line.

-4 to Fjord/Caduceus as Fjord gets a special, potentially life-saving visit from the Wildmother in his dreams, delivering him for the moment from Uk’otoa….and repays her by fucking up one of her most sacred places on the planet with repeated wood-shattering Thundersteps. Caduceus can’t watch.

-40 to Fjord/Uk’otoa as Uk’otoa now has a schedule of bothering Fjord every one to two weeks. I shudder to think how Uk’otoa is going to react once the Wildmother can’t protect Fjord anymore, now that he’s escaped from their clutches once.

+1 to Fjord/His Inner Bard for motivational rapping of...questionable quality

+3 to Caleb/Caduceus as Caleb very sweetly refuses Caduceus “wasting” his light spells on him, asks him about his feelings towards the tree. Caduceus looking to Caleb before anyone else to see if investigating the turtle shell is a good idea.

+4 to Nott/Jester as Nott offers some excellent advice on how to get ones’ way—ask the same question over and over again until you get the answer you want, and if that fails, do what you want anyway. Jester being the Most Concerned with Nott’s drinking, and alongside Caleb successfully steering her away from a suicidal (though heroically romantic) standoff against the gloomstalkers. Nott helping Jester and the others float safely down, and instinctively trying to save Jester and Fjord during their first fall. Bonding over an appreciation for big square dicks, which would only, and I mean only count for point gains between these two individuals. Point loss for Nott calling Jester “crazy” and saying she’ll scar Luke for life, which is probably just a deflection but a hurtful one. Jester catching Nott after she fails to climb the tree and just barely managing to stop herself from being negative and saying “Good effort!” instead, because Jester can’t help but feel like it’s her job to Be Encouraging.

+30 to Nott/Keeping It Together Maybe as she’s totally fine, she’s just going to drink a lot and nearly kill herself trying to stand off against the gloomstalkers and go stealthing alone in the middle of the night and rip the heart out of her enemies—she’s fine guys. It’s all under control

+2 to Clerics/Loneliness, as both Jester and Caduceus are abandoned to take a watch alone. Even so, their love for the others shines through, with Jester phoning up Kiri, and Caduceus preparing breakfast for everyone.

+1 to Caleb/Jester as Caleb tries to gently defend Jester to Nott, a few different times—a difficult thing, to dissuade Nott of anything!

+25 to Nott the Best Detective Agency/Detective Work and Beau/Nerdom as Beau is the one to find the map of the area to have Jester copy, alongside Nott’s excellent vision catching Melora’s tree at a distance. Then, Nott’s investigation of the tree alone demonstrating Admirable Detective Curiosity, while Beau is the only person to recall exactly what the tree is and its significance to the Wildmother and the Calamity. Jester finding their target running his hands along some mountain in the Prenumbra Range, looking for the correct place to put the emblem that he bought from the scout courier.

+3 to Essik/The Mighty Nein as he is “proud” that they’re hanging out cheerfully in the middle of the Badlands. At this point Essik seems to have just accepted that they’re a dumpster fire and has resolved to pat them on the head so long as they do the bare minimum and keep themselves alive. A few days from now they’ll give him a call from the bottom of the ocean, yes yes that’s very good children, we’re very proud of you here and that’s what I’ll tell anyone who asks because it’s not like I staked any part of my reputation on backing you to the Bright Queen or anything.

#fjorester #beauyasha #beaujester #lavorregard #bashter #widofjorester #widofjord #fjorclay #nott the best detective agency #widojest #jestasha #critical role #cr spoilers #clayleb #shipping calculus #late and lacking in jokes because I've been busy feeling sad about pirates #and work #clayvorre

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gostaks · 5 years ago

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i haven’t done a ‘songs I loved from this singing’ post in a while but this weekend is the annual PNW convention so without further ado here’s a list of new favorite songs (numbers are Denson book)

47b Idumea

48t Devotion

142 Stratfield

143 Pleyel’s Hymn

163b China

178 Africa

183 Greenwich

184 Enfield (can’t find a recording)

276 Bridgewater

335 Return Again

377 Eternal Praise

491 Oh, What Love

504 Wood Street

535b Shawmut

miscellaneous other observations under the cut

songs I’ve already marked as favorites but I heard them in the big group and went holy shit

148 Jefferson

455 Soar Away

(”I’ll just flag every song I like,” I said. “There’s no way this could go wrong,” I said. A good 20% of the songs in my book are marked as favorites now)

I showed up, wrote my name on a registration card, and nearly ran into an acquaintance who I swear I’m metaphysically bound to or something. I keep running into them in completely unrelated situations. In this case they were taking a singing class in Olympia and came up for the convention

I brought a copy of Ancillary Justice to the singing and got about 10 comments about how it has sacred harp music in it. I know! That’s how I got into singing in the first place :D I love all of my scifi nerd singing friends

I’ve got a specific flag (green, in case it matters—general favorites are yellow and songs I’m more or less comfortable leading are pink) for songs that remind me of fictional characters. This is great, except 90% of the time I come to a song and can’t for the life of me remember why I flagged it for a character. Why is 327 tagged ‘breq on athoek’?? I don’t know! Obviously I was vibing with it at the time but is it literally because it includes the line “over the hills where spices grow”? Was I thinking spices > tea > athoek ?? WHO KNOWS?

#shut up alan #realtime #text #sacred harp #sh #<3 ireland sacred harp convention for all the recordings

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tipsycad147 · 5 years ago

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Atargatis

Atargatis is a Syrian Goddess of the moon and of the waters.1 She is also known by the names Derceto and Dea Syriae. She was born in the Euphrates, "...like Aphrodite from the foam of the sea."2 Local coins confirm that Atargatis was worshipped at Hierapolis, where she had her own shrine and rites.3

According to legend, Atargatis was the mother of the great Assyrian queen, Semiramis.4 Her mythical story tells us that, after causing the death of her mortal lover and Semiramis' father, Hadad, she jumped into a lake and assumed the form of a fish.5 The water, however, could not hide her divine nature, causing her to take the form of a woman above the waist and a fish below.6 For this reason, she has come to be known as the mermaid goddess.

In his work, De Dea Syria, Lucian of Samosata describes his visit to Atargatis' temple:

"There is too a lake in the same place, not far from the temple in which many sacred fishes of different kinds are reared. Some of these grow to a great size; they are called by names, and approach when called. I saw one of these ornamented with gold, and on its back fin a gold design was dedicated to the temple. I have often seen this fish, and he certainly carried this design. The depth of the lake is immense. I never tested it myself, but they say that it is in depth more than 200 fathoms. In the midst of this lake stands an altar of stone. You would think at first sight that it was floating and moving in the water, and many deem that it is so. The truth seems to me that it is supported by a column of great size, based on the bottom of the lake. It is always decked with ribbons, and spices are therein, and many every day swim in the lake with crowns on their heads performing their acts of adoration." (pp. 45-46)

In her day, worshippers would immerse themselves in her sacred waters to offer praise. They would keep and adorn living fish in her honour. Atargatis was an aspect of the Universal Mother and her life-giving waters.

One way modern worshippers choose to honour and connect with Atargatis is to call out to her directly. Try sitting by a body of water and opening up to receive any messages that come through. You can hold a specific question in mind, or let the goddess' wisdom flow into the quiet. Afterwards, write or draw what you experienced. Don't forget to leave a gift in her honour; consider leaving a treat for her sacred fish to enjoy.

Atargatis by Annie Stegg http://pinkparasol.deviantart.com/

I sat by flowing water one beautiful evening and asked Atargatis to tell me who she was...

I am...water I am flow I am you letting go

Roll with the waves Follow the current

I am always guiding you Moving you, gently leading you

To... where you need to be who you need to be with and what you need to do

...for your Spirit to grow.

If you listen closely, you will hear the sound of the waters rush by your ear as I advise you:

"Smile at that person..." "Go to that gathering..." "Act on that thought you just had!"

If you let me, I will guide you toward that which you already possess: a life filled with beauty, meaning, and love. If you let me, I will wash away all that you do not need: fear, worry, anxiety, hurt, shame, and the like. Give it all to me. I will wash it away. If it comes back, I will wash it away again. We will do this work together. Together, we will uncover the real you. Radiant and joyful, loving and free.

I will teach you to follow your intuition, the goddess-within. I will teach you to free yourself to go as you are guided.

To flow.

Sometimes the waters are still Then it is good to be calm. Sometimes the waters rush over rocks Then it is good to be flexible. Sometimes you get stuck on the shore Then it is good to be patient. Sometimes the waters overflow Then it is good to take the space that you need. Sometimes the rains come And it is time to be washed clean so you can begin again.

I have much to teach if you will but listen. Come to find me. Seek me at the water's edge. Dance as the rain pours down. Seek me in lakes and streams, Oceans and Rivers. Then, we can begin.

~Received by Riversong on June 17, 2014

Atargatis Chant Beads Chant beads are one way to readily connect with the energy of the Goddess. As you continue to use the beads, the chants become second nature, and the mind becomes free to journey into Wholeness.

Using a physical object, such as a string of beads, is also helpful for sensory recall. If you are able to consistently use the beads to achieve a certain feeling or mind-state (peaceful, open, focused, etc.), then before long simply handling the beads will easily bring about that sacred state of being. You will be able to go deeper, quicker.

To make your own Atargatis chant beads, you will need:

45 small shell beads 4 large shell beads One pendant to represent the Goddess (I used a mesmerising ammonite spiral) Beading wire

String your beads in 3 groups of 13, with 3 extra small beads on either side of your pendant.

Atargatis Chant Beads created and photographed by Riversong

For this sacred prayer time, I really wanted to focus on the life-giving power of water, its divine flow in our lives, and our connection with the watery realm of emotion. I wrote a chant to call in Atargatis' energy, and used pieces from other chants I learned from the Reclaiming community. http://www.reclaimingquarterly.org/web/chants04/chants04.txt

On the Goddess Pendant: Connect with the Divine in the form of the goddess, Atargatis.

On each of the next three beads, chant:

Atargatis, Mermaid Goddess, Mother of the Sea. Your waters flow through my veins, Your love surrounds me. On the first large bead, get in touch with the Spark of Divinity which resides within you. It is beautiful and radiant, just as you are beautiful and radiant. This radiance is our gift from the Goddess. The journey to self-realisation is really a process whereby we work to uncover our true divine nature, our goddess-ness. We are all on our way back to Her. Chant on each of the 13 smaller beads:

We all come from the Goddess and to Her we shall return like a drop of rain flowing to the Ocean

~Z. Budapest

On the second large bead, meditate on being Part of the Flow. Life on Earth originated in the Waters. That means that, in truth, every being is our brother and our sister. We could even say that every living being is a reflection of, or a part of, ourselves. Relax and begin to awaken feelings of compassion for yourself and others. Feel the connection. We are all in this together.

Chant on each of the 13 smaller beads:

The river is flowing Flowing and growing The river is flowing Down to the sea

~from the Reclaiming chant book

On the third large bead, focus on your Desires and Emotions. Our thoughts not only affect our experiences, but they even create them. Spend some time visualising what you truly desire - for yourself, for others, and for the world. If there is anything that is troubling or "blocking" you, give it away to the Ocean Mother, who transforms pain into growth, and makes muddy waters clear again.

Chant on each of the 13 smaller beads:

Born of Water Cleansing, Powerful, Healing, Changing, We are!

~Women's Workshop

On the fourth large bead, again call to mind Atargatis. Thank Her for her presence and any insight/comfort/support/inspiration she may have provided you in this prayer time.

On each of the three final beads, chant:

Atargatis, Mermaid Goddess, Mother of the Sea. Your waters flow through my veins Your love surrounds me.

Riversong's Mermaid Runes and Affirmations

Divination can be a powerful form of prayer. I and many others use it daily as a way to "check in" with the Higher Self or Guiding Goddess. I was inspired to make these runes with my daughter one afternoon. We each made a set with glass beads and a paint pen. Later, I asked Atargatis for a message from each form, and this is what came through. I have placed them on my altar in a glass bowl, and enjoy choosing an affirmation each day!

Atargatis Runes created and photographed by Riversong

Spiral: Look within. It is a good time to do some quiet meditation.

I go within to bring forth wisdom. I go within to find my truth.

Comb: Nurture yourself. Take care of your body by giving it enough water, healthy foods, exercise and rest.

I take the time to listen to my body and to give it what it needs.

Star: Make a wish. Voicing your wish is the first step toward manifestation.

My thoughts are powerful. My thoughts create my experience.

Calm Waters: Flow. You can be sure that you are safe and supported by the Universe.

I relax and trust that all things are working together for the highest and best outcome for all.

Fish: Friends. Now is the time to seek out the company and/or help of others.

I am surrounded by loving, kind, and supportive friends.

Moon: Cycles. Pay attention to the cycles of the moon and how they affect your body and/or emotions.

I release the old and welcome the new. The cycle continues and I begin again.

Shell: Home matters. Arrange a space in your home that nourishes your spirit. Refresh and regroup with family.

My home is a warm and loving space. It gives me comfort.

Trident: Protection. Stand up for what and in whom you believe.

I am the guardian of that which I hold dear.

Harp: Music. Sing, chant, drum, or dance your feelings.

I express myself through sacred song.

Heart: Love matters. You may be experiencing a new or renewed love. Passion and compassion are equally important.

My heart is open. I am ready to give and receive love.

Sun: Enlightenment. You have the ability to see things clearly now.

Everywhere I look, there is beauty.

Rapids: Rough going. Remember that all challenges hold within them the possibility for growth.

When the waters get rough, I will enjoy the ride.

Goddess: Atargatis. Call upon the goddess to bless and empower your intention. Atargatis, Ataratheh. Derketo, Dea Syriae. Great Goddess of the Sea, may your power flow through me like water. Bless my work. So mote it be.

Matthews, John and Caitlin, The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures, Harper Collins Publishers, Hammersmith, London, 2005, p.43

Lucian, The Syrian Goddess, tr.by Herbert A. Strong and John Garstang, 1913, at http://sacred-texts.com , http://sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/tsg/tsg07.htm . Note on 52:25

Ibid.

Ibid., fn 1, p.157

Ibid., fn 4

http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/atargatis/index.html

Picture http://mystifyinghearts.blogspot.com

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renmorris · 6 years ago

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i just remembered a fairly obscure Renfield Fanfic Book (the one where Quincey is gay and Renfield is a homophobic psychic because realism) features Renfield hearing sacred harp singing in America and being really moved by it...like damn way to be on my brand and fuck it up big time, writer of that book no one read but me

#dracula blogging

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loveofyhwh · 6 years ago

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July 12: 1 Chronicles 16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Psalm 11; Proverbs 19:10–12

New Post has been published on https://loveofyhwh.com/july-12-1-chronicles-16-17-1-corinthians-151-11-psalm-11-proverbs-1910-12/

July 12: 1 Chronicles 16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Psalm 11; Proverbs 19:10–12

1 Chronicles 16–17 (Listen)

The Ark Placed in a Tent

16 And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD 3 and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat,Compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain‘>1 and a cake of raisins.

4 Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. 7 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.

David’s Song of Thanks

8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, 13 O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! 14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 16 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance.” 19 When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” 23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. 28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! 29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;Or in holy attire‘>2 30 tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” 32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! 33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

35 Say also:

“Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. 36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

Worship Before the Ark

37 So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark as each day required, 38 and also Obed-edom and hisHebrew their‘>3 sixty-eight brothers, while Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. 39 And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon 40 to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the LORD that he commanded Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever. 42 Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were appointed to the gate.

43 Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household.

The Lord‘s Covenant with David

17 Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.” 2 And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

3 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. 5 For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. 6 In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

David’s Prayer

16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations,Or and you look upon me as a man of high rank‘>4 O LORD God! 18 And what more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant. 19 For your servant’s sake, O LORD, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. 20 There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel, the oneSeptuagint, Vulgate other‘>5 nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making for yourself a name for great and awesome things, in driving out nations before your people whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 And you made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God. 23 And now, O LORD, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, 24 and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 And now, O LORD, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O LORD, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

Footnotes

[1] 16:3 Compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [2] 16:29 Or in holy attire [3] 16:38 Hebrew their [4] 17:17 Or and you look upon me as a man of high rank [5] 17:21 Septuagint, Vulgate other

(ESV)

New Testament:

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

1 Corinthians 15:1–11 (Listen)

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now I would remind you, brothers,Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 31, 50, 58‘>1 of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Footnotes

[1] 15:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 31, 50, 58

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 11

Psalm 11 (Listen)

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple

To the choirmaster. Of David.

11 In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, 2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done?‘>1 4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

Footnotes

[1] 11:3 Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done?

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 19:10–12

Proverbs 19:10–12 (Listen)

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12 A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

(ESV)

2 notes · View notes

onetouchplusph · 3 years ago

Text

August 23, 2021 (Monday)

Reading I

1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians

in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

grace to you and peace.

We give thanks to God always for all of you,

remembering you in our prayers,

unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love

and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ,

before our God and Father,

knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen.

For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone,

but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.

In every place your faith in God has gone forth,

so that we have no need to say anything.

For they themselves openly declare about us

what sort of reception we had among you,

and how you turned to God from idols

to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven,

whom he raised from the dead, Jesus,

who delivers us from the coming wrath.

Responsorial Psalm

149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.

Sing to the LORD a new song

of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in their maker,

let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance,

let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

For the LORD loves his people,

and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let the faithful exult in glory;

let them sing for joy upon their couches;

Let the high praises of God be in their throats.

This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Alleluia

Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;

I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.

You do not enter yourselves,

nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You traverse sea and land to make one convert,

and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna

twice as much as yourselves.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say,

‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,

but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’

Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,

or the temple that made the gold sacred?

And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,

but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’

You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,

or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;

one who swears by the temple swears by it

and by him who dwells in it;

one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God

and by him who is seated on it.”

0 notes

roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 year ago

Text

28th August >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor

Monday, Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time.

Monday, Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the feria (Monday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10 You turned to God from idols to await his Son, whom he raised from the dead.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction. You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. In every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia.

Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia.

Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; Let the high praises of God be in their throats. This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia!

R/ The Lord takes delight in his people. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation John 10:27

Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 23:13-22 Woe to you, blind guides.

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’ Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’ You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

---------------------------

Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 1 John 4:7-16 If we love one another, God will live in us.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.

This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

How shall a young man be faultless in his way? By keeping to your words.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Within my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches.

R/ Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:9b, 10b

Alleluia, alleluia. You have but one Father, in heaven; you have but one master, the Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 23:8-12 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have one master, the Christ.

Jesus spoke to his disciples: “Do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

0 notes

mikaltom53 · 3 years ago

Text

1 Chronicles 16

The Ark Placed in a Tent

[1] And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. [2] And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD [3] and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

[4] Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. [5] Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, [6] and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. [7] Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.

David’s Song of Thanks

[8] Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

[9] Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

[10] Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

[11] Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

[12] Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

[13] O offspring of Israel his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

[14] He is the LORD our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

[15] Remember his covenant forever,

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

[16] the covenant that he made with Abraham,

his sworn promise to Isaac,

[17] which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,

to Israel as an everlasting covenant,

[18] saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,

as your portion for an inheritance.”

[19] When you were few in number,

of little account, and sojourners in it,

[20] wandering from nation to nation,

from one kingdom to another people,

[21] he allowed no one to oppress them;

he rebuked kings on their account,

[22] saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,

do my prophets no harm!”

[23] Sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Tell of his salvation from day to day.

[24] Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

[25] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,

and he is to be feared above all gods.

[26] For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

[27] Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place.

[28] Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

[29] Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

[30] tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

[31] Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

[32] Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

[33] Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.

[34] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

[35] Say also:

“Save us, O God of our salvation,

and gather and deliver us from among the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.

[36] Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

Worship Before the Ark

[37] So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark as each day required, [38] and also Obed-edom and his sixty-eight brothers, while Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. [39] And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon [40] to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the LORD that he commanded Israel. [41] With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever. [42] Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were appointed to the gate.

[43] Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household.

0 notes

dfroza · 3 years ago

Text

A new covenant of grace is all about the treasured gift

that we receive simply by being open to “believe…” in the heart in the True illumination of the Son and to come to speak of it as well through a body of earth.

(in silence & sound)

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 4th chapter of the Letter of Romans where Paul writes of this grace through faith beginning with Abraham thousands of years ago:

Let me use Abraham as an example. It is clear that humanly speaking, he was the founder of Judaism. What was his experience of being made right with God? Was it by his good works of keeping the law? No. For if it was by the things he did, he would have something to boast about, but no one boasts before God. Listen to what the Scriptures say:

Because Abraham believed God’s words, his faith transferred God’s righteousness into his account.

When people work, they earn wages. It can’t be considered a free gift, because they earned it. But no one earns God’s righteousness. It can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own works, but believe in the one who powerfully declares the ungodly to be righteous in his eyes. It is faith that transfers God’s righteousness into your account!

Even King David himself speaks to us regarding the complete wholeness that comes inside a person when God’s powerful declaration of righteousness is heard over our life. Apart from our works, God’s work is enough. Here’s what David says:

What happy fulfillment is ahead for those

whose rebellion has been forgiven

and whose sins are covered by blood.

What happy progress comes to them

when they hear the Lord speak over them,

“I will never hold your sins against you!”

Now, think about it. Does this happiness come only to the Jews, or is it available to all who believe? Our answer is this: faith was credited to Abraham as God’s righteousness!

How did he receive this gift of righteousness? Was he circumcised at the time God accepted him, or was he still uncircumcised? Clearly, he was an uncircumcised gentile when God said this of him! It was later that he received the external sign of circumcision as a seal to confirm that God had already transferred his righteousness to him by faith, while he was still uncircumcised. So now this qualifies him to become the father of all who believe among the non-Jewish people. And like their “father of faith,” Abraham, God also transfers his righteousness to them by faith. Yes, Abraham is obviously the true father of faith for the Jewish people who are not only circumcised but who walk in the way of faith that our father Abraham displayed before his circumcision.

God promised Abraham and his descendants that they would have an heir who would reign over the world. This royal promise was not fulfilled because Abraham kept all the law, but through the righteousness that was transferred by faith. For if keeping the law earns the inheritance, then faith is robbed of its power and the promise becomes useless. For the law provokes punishment, and where no law exists there cannot be a violation of the law.

The promise depends on faith so that it can be experienced as a grace-gift, and now it extends to all the descendants of Abraham. This promise is not only meant for those who obey the law, but also to those who enter into the faith of Abraham, the father of us all. That’s what the Scripture means when it says:

“I have made you the father of many nations.”

He is our example and father, for in God’s presence he believed that God can raise the dead and call into being things that don’t even exist yet. Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass:

“Your descendants will be so many

that they will be impossible to count!”

In spite of being nearly one hundred years old when the promise of having a son was made, his faith was so strong that it could not be undermined by the fact that he and Sarah were incapable of conceiving a child. He never stopped believing God’s promise, for he was made strong in his faith to father a child. And because he was mighty in faith and convinced that God had all the power needed to fulfill his promises, Abraham glorified God!

So now you can see why Abraham’s faith was credited to his account as righteousness before God. And this declaration was not just spoken over Abraham, but also over us. For when we believe and embrace the one who brought our Lord Jesus back to life, perfect righteousness will be credited to our account as well. Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and was raised back to life to prove that he had made us right with God!

The Letter of Romans, Chapter 4 (The Passion Translation)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 23rd chapter of the book (scroll) of Isaiah that points to the humbling of the world’s pride:

A message about Tyre:

Cry out in anguish, you who travel the Mediterranean from east to west!

Cry out, Tarshishian ships, because Tyre is no more.

It is devastated—no houses, no harbor—nothing is left.

The people from Cyprus have witnessed it.

Grieve quietly, you people along the coast,

you merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea.

You go through great waters in boats filled with the grain of Shihor;

the harvest of the Nile was Tyre’s revenue;

She was the marketplace of the nations.

Shame runs deep for Sidon since the sea has said,

“I bore and raised no sons or daughters as my own.”

Egypt will be terribly upset, too,

when they learn about Tyre’s destruction.

So you who live along the coast,

make for Tarshish, and bewail your fate.

One wonders: could this really be the same city?

It was so jubilant, so magnificent, so commanding for its trade.

Is this the city that’s been around longer than memory

and her citizens have traveled to exotic, faraway places?

Tyre’s merchants and traders were princes and nobles,

respected everywhere around the world.

Who did this to Tyre,

a city that awards honor with crowns?

The Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, has determined,

Tyre should be destroyed, wrecked, and disgraced

To spoil the foolish arrogance of all glory and

to show how insignificant earthly honors are.

People of Tarshish, you should traverse your land as if it were the Nile.

With Tyre out of the way, there’s nothing to stop you anymore.

God’s power extends across the sea;

He has terrified the nations,

turning Canaan loose against them to demolish their fortresses.

Eternal One: The celebration is over, downtrodden virgin daughter of Sidon.

There’s nothing left of you to take pride in.

Go ahead, pack up and move to Cyprus.

But you still won’t find rest.

Just look at the land of the Chaldeans in southern Mesopotamia. There are no such people anymore. The Assyrians came along, took it over, and left it for the desert animals; they built their siege machines, stripped its palaces, and determined that it should be ruined.

Cry out in anguish, ships of Tarshish

because your fortress is no more.

Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years—the lifespan of a king. After that Tyre’s fate will be like the song of the prostitute:

“O forgotten woman, yesterday’s prostitute,

take up a harp, and walk about the city.

Play it well, and sing your melodies,

so you will be remembered.”

When 70 years have passed, the Eternal will visit Tyre, and she’ll return to her wicked ways—selling herself to all the countries of the world. But everything Tyre earns—her profit, her goods—won’t be stored or saved: all will be devoted to the Eternal; her stocks will supply all the food and fine clothing needed by those who serve in the presence of the Eternal One.

The Book (Scroll) of Isaiah, Chapter 23 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Thursday, july 1 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons that illumines the “book” each of us are becoming:

The sages say that every person's life is a "book," as it is written: "This is the book of the generations of Adam" (Gen. 5:1). There are heavenly scrolls written about the story of your life (Dan. 7:10; Rev. 20:12). They further note that the Hebrew word for "name" (i.e., shem: שׁם) shares the same numeric value as the word "book" (i.e., sefer: ספר), suggesting that a person's name summarizes their life, and that God's Name contains all the letters of the Scriptures - from the first letter Bet (in “bereshit”) to the last letter Nun (in “amen”) - which, when put together, form the Hebrew word for "son" (i.e., ben: בן). The revelation of God, then, is disclosed in "et" (את), the Direct Object of his heart, the Alef and Tav, the Beginning and End, the glorious LORD over all, Yeshua our King. [Hebrew for Christians]

and another about seeking & finding:

Some people imagine spirituality as a climb upward, an "ascent of the soul" that aims to reach God through the performance of good deeds or religious rituals. But God does not say "at the end of the way you will find me," but rather, "I AM the way, the very road under your feet, the Place (הַמָּקוֹם) where you are, the Bridge to the Father (John 14:6). “For all things come from You (כִּי־מִמְּךָ הַכּל), and from your hand we give to you” (1 Chron. 29:14). The LORD is Present in every "here" and every "now," the Source of all we are. And no matter what our circumstances, we will find God if we search "bekhol levavkha" - with all our being, as it is written: "You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). [Hebrew for Christians]

to be concluded with a post about the sacred “Breath” of Life:

A verse from this week’s Torah (i.e., parashat Pinchas) reveals another great Name of God: Elohei ha’ruchot le’khol basar (אלהי הרוחת לכל־בשׂר), which can be translated "the God of the breath of all flesh" (Num. 27:16). This Name reveals that the LORD is the Source of your breath, the One who exhales to you nishmat ha’chayim (נשימת החיים), the "breath of life" that enables you to live (Job 12:10). The sages use the analogy of a glassblower who creates a glass vessel. Just as the glassblower blows into a tube to form a vessel from molten glass, so the "breath" (i.e., neshamah: נְשָׁמָה) that comes from the LORD functions as spirit (i.e., ruach: רוּחַ) that forms and fills the human soul (i.e., nefesh: נֶפֶשׁ). Note especially that the Name YHVH (יהוה), the LORD, first appears in this connection (Gen. 2:7), a designation that also means "God is Present" (Exod. 3:14) and "God is Mercy" (Exod. 34:6-7). Note also that each letter of the Name YHVH represents a vowel sound (i.e., breath), suggesting that God's Spirit is as close as your very next breath. Like the wind that cannot be seen, so is the spirit the essential part of your identity. Truly in God we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). [Hebrew for Christians]

7.1.21 • Facebook

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

July 1, 2021

The Reverend God

“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” (Psalm 111:9)

It is most interesting that the adjective “reverend” is used only this once in the entire King James Bible. And there it applies to God, not to any man!

However, the Hebrew word so translated in this verse (yârê’) occurs therein frequently, usually being translated (some 30 times) as “terrible.” The first time it is applied to God was by Moses. “Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21). Note also Moses’ testimony in Deuteronomy 10:17: “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.”

For those who would deny or oppose Him, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). But God is also uniquely a God of love. He is a merciful and forgiving God; He is “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10) and of many other wonderful attributes.

“He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth” (God is thus omnipresent). “He fashioneth their hearts alike” (He is omnipotent). “He considereth all their works” (He is omniscient) (Psalm 33:14-15).

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). If a person truly believes the first verse of the Bible, he should be able to believe all other verses in the Bible, no matter what men or devils can say to the contrary. Our God, who has also become our Redeemer and Savior, is “eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God” (1 Timothy 1:17).

He is indeed a God of many attributes. HMM

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