#c: nicodemus

[cecils-dragons]

Vampire chart is done! Look at the lads(and Patch). Also bonus messy relationship arrows. Rip to the fourth Daymon brother.

[loupy-mongoose]

Warning: Contains potentially heavy and uncomfortable subject matter.

PREVIOUS NEXT (DEATH WARNING)

ARC START | CHRONO

~~~~~~

Lavender crashed out through the floorboards and outermost wall of the mansion, following after the larger Mewtwo. Blinking against the sudden brightness of the full sunlight, she spotted him lying stunned in the mansion's overgrown backyard. He hastily shuffled onto his hands and knees.

Suddenly, Lavender's ears rotated back, catching creaks and crashing. Her eyes widened, and she spun around in horror; the mansion was collapsing.

MOM, DAD!

Before she could rush in, however, the two Mews appeared in a zap of light.

Seeing with a sigh of relief that they had escaped the mansion's collapse, she turned back to her target.

Nico was hovering now, giving a sad look to the three Lindens. He met Lavender's furious eyes, and returned with a look of sorrow and regret--a look that caused a sudden twinge in Lav's mind.

Then, he turned and dashed off.

Lavender's blood boiled

You're gonna hurt my dad and run??

She sped after him.

All the while, she ignored a tiny nagging feeling in the back of her mind as hot tears streamed from eyes...

~~~~~

Without warning, Randy transformed into his human form.

He laid in the yard, trembling, wide-eyed and gasping. Akoya nuzzled up into his neck, speaking gently to him and purring.

At first he didn't seem to notice her. But gradually, his breathing steadied, and he lifted a shuddering hand to seek out Akoya's warm pelt.

For a bit, they laid together as Randy slowly managed to calm down.

I don't want him to come back, Akoya...

She looked at him, her purr faltering.

Is that selfish of me?

Akoya laid her cheek on his.

...If it's selfish of you, it's selfish of me...

Randy went on as if he didn't hear her.

C-can he even come back?

...Was he ever gone...?

The blue Mew flicked her tail, uncertain what to think or do. M...Maybe we should try to get back to Fuji...

Randy placed his hands on his head and shook his head desperately. I can't transform... I can't risk losing Randy...

Akoya licked his cheek in understanding. Her ears went back as an unpleasant idea struck. I can try to teleport us there myself... O-Or to a closer Pokemon Center... It would be hard, but... I think I could do it...

Randy didn't respond immediately.

...

Where's Lav?

~~~~~~

Nicodemus flew over the ocean north of Cinnabar, keeping close to the island. His cloak flapped behind him.

As she rushed to catch up to Nico, Lavender readied another swirling sphere of energy. The gap between them closed, and he glanced back at her just as she launched the spere.

He braced for the impact, wobbling slightly in his flight with a grunt before steadying.

Gritting her teeth, she psychically "grabbed" a portion of the ocean in front of the fleeing 'two and launched it upward. Nico swerved just in time to avoid it, careening toward Cinnabar's shoreline.

Lav roared and launched another sphere at him, this one smaller and slightly looser as her anger grew, hijacking her control.

This time the force caught him off guard, sending him rolling and finally sprawling onto the island's shore. Groaning and gasping, he propped himself up on his arms.

Lavender halted and held her position over the ocean water, her teeth bared and face streaked with tears. Her breath was sharp and ragged, and her eyes wild.

Why aren't you fighting back?!

Nico looked up at her, meeting her eyes. His own still showed no signs of anger, but a deep despair.

You want me to?

Lav glared down at him. Her gaze turned downward as she prepped a Shadow Ball.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!

She launched it down into her own reflection.

Then, she hovered there, motionless. She was wracked with gasping sobs. Her attack bubbled back, splashing her with ocean water, but she didn't notice.

Suddenly, a voice spoke in her mind.

Lavender

She snapped to attention.

A hasty explanation was mentally run by her as she attempted to control her breathing and emotions.

She met Nico's eyes, now realizing what the nagging feeling had been...

Guilt and shame flooded through her. Fresh tears stung her eyes, and she sobbed again.

...I'm sorry, Nico... It wasn't your fault...

Then, she flew off.

It was mine...

~~~~~~

Lavender arrived to find her dad lying in the grass in human form. She felt her blood freeze, but had to remind herself that she could still feel him, and he was breathing. He was still with them.

At least...

She hoped it was him...

Dad...?

He looked up at her as she came into his field of view. He looked exhausted, his eyes shadowed by the feelings he silently grappled with. She was happy to see relief in them, but her heart broke all over again at the agony he seemed desperate to conceal.

His voice was hoarse and shaky. Lav, a-are you okay?

Lav struggled to control her own voice. I-I'm fine, Dad... H-he didn't... a-attack me at all...

She kept part of her thought to herself.

I wish he would have...

She took a sudden sharp breath, trying to distract herself. There were higher priorities now. S-so what are we doing? Dad can't transform, so how do we get back? It's half the region away, or more!

Akoya had a serious look on her face. I'll get us there. I have to. Whatever it takes.

She closed her eyes and sighed. It was clear she wasn't certain about her ability to get them from here all the way to Lavender Town...

She began focusing. Alright, brace yourselves... Unlike the instantaneous teleportations they'd done in the past, Lav could feel her mother attempting to build up the power to accomplish this mission.

Maybe I can somehow share my power...

Feeling desperate to help, she began to focus her own energy toward the blue Mew. Akoya jolted very slightly, the only hint that she felt any change.

Then, after a moment...

They were gone...

~~~~~~

PREVIOUS NEXT (DEATH WARNING)

ARC START | CHRONO

I'm sorry.

This should've been a comic. This part deserves to be to be a comic, and someday I would like to come back and draw it. But right now, I just can't bring myself to, and I didn't want to let that stop progress.

I don't want to disappoint people, but... I dunno. I still have a slim hope of hitting my goal, and I don't want to get hung up and ruin that chance. I want to move on...

Anyway, I hope the read was enjoyable enough. And on the bright side, I've started work on the next part, so there's that at least! :)

[themuseumwithoutwalls]

MWW Artwork of the Day (3/30/24) Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471–1528) The Lamentation over the Dead Christ (c. 1499-1500) Oil on pine wood, 150 x 120.6 cm. Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg

The center of the painting is occupied by Jesus' dead body, supported by John the Apostle and lamented by Mary, Nicodemus and a pious Woman; Mary Magdalene and Joseph of Arimathea stand behind, holding balms to prepare the corpse for burial. Below is the crown of thorns and, in tiny proportions, the depictions of the donors from the Holzschuher and Grüber families, accompanied by their coat of arms. The landscape in the background shows the Calvary, where the two thieves are still hanging from their crosses, and, at the center, a town reproduction with a river. On the right is hilly rocky cliff with the sepulchre.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

14th September >> Fr. Martin's Reflections/Homilies on Today's Mass Readings for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Inc. John 3:13-17): ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son’.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Gospel (Except USA) John 3:13-17 God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved.

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

‘No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’

Gospel (USA) John 3:13-17 So the Son of Man must be lifted up.

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Reflections (9)

(i) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This feast goes back to the day when Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, discovered what was believed to be the true cross on 14th September, 320. Her son, the Emperor, built a basilica over the site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, which was dedicated on 13th September 335. The next day, the 14th September, the cross that Saint Helena had discovered fifteen years earlier, was brought to the Basilica and venerated. The present day Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s old city stands on the site of Constantine’s Basilica. The title of the feast (‘Exaltation of the Holy Cross’) suggests that this is not a sorrowful feast. The mood of this feast is not like that of Good Friday. In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of himself as the Son of Man who must be lifted up, exalted. The language of being lifted up suggests not just his being lifted up on the cross in crucifixion but his being lifted up at the resurrection in glory. In the earliest depictions of Christ on the cross, the emphasis is not on the suffering Christ, the man of sorrows, but on the glorious Christ reigning from the cross. That is more the mood and tone of this feast. Today we celebrate the good news that the glory of God shone through Jesus on the cross. Jesus on the cross reveals the powerful and glorious presence of God’s love drawing all people to himself. In the words of today’s gospel reading, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’. Today’s feast invites us to look upon the cross of Jesus not just as an instrument of death but as a source of life, as the focal point of God’s life-giving, healing and reconciling love. As we look upon the cross, we allow ourselves to be drawn to Jesus and through him to God. In the gospel of John, from which we read on this feast, Jesus says, ‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself’. When we allow ourselves to be drawn by the Lord’s love shining from the cross, our hearts will be renewed, and we will be empowered to share his love with others, in response to the Lord’s call, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

In the time of Jesus no one would have considered crucifixion a triumph. It may have been considered a triumph for those who were doing the crucifying; it certainly would never have been considered a triumph for the person crucified. Yet, that is what we are celebrating this morning. Jesus, in being crucified, triumphed. It was a triumph of love over hatred. As John the evangelist says in this morning’s gospel reading, ‘God so loved the world only Son’. Jesus revealed God’s love in all that he said and did, but he revealed God’s love most fully on the cross. John the evangelist would say that on the cross Jesus revealed God’s glory. That is why in John’s gospel Jesus speaks of his coming crucifixion as the hour when he is glorified. Authentic love is always life-giving and that is uniquely so of God’s love. As well as being the triumph of love over hatred, the cross of Jesus is the triumph of life over death. Jesus was put to death in the most cruel way but through his death he passed over into a new life and that life was offered to us all. The blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus in John’s gospel speaks to us of the life that flows through the death of Jesus. The cross has been celebrated in art as the tree of life. The triumph of the cross, which is the triumph of God and of Jesus over Satan and all the forces of evil and death, is a triumph in which we all share. From the cross Jesus draws all of us into the love and life of God. As he says in John’s gospel, when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself. We simply have to let ourselves be drawn.

And/Or

(iii) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The words ‘triumph’ and ‘cross’ don’t normally belong together. ‘Triumph’ suggests celebration, achievement, recognition. ‘Cross’ indicates suffering, humiliation, defeat. How could anyone who ended up crucified ever be said to have triumphed. It is hard to think of a greater paradox that the phrase ‘the triumph of the cross’. Yet, as Christians, we don’t find that phrase in any way strange. When we look on the cross with the eyes of faith, we don’t simply see the tragic ending of a good man’s life. We behold what Paul called the power and the wisdom of God. What is this power that shows itself in such degrading weakness? It is of course the power of love, the power of a love that is greater than any human love, the love spoken about in today’s gospel reading. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’. Here was a divine love that became a human love in the life and death of Jesus, a love so powerful that it was in no way diminished by the experience of rejection, hatred, and all that was most sinister and corrupt in the human spirit. The triumph of the cross is the triumph of love over hatred, of life over death. The triumph of that Good Friday is a triumph in which we all continue to share. The light that shone in that awful darkness continues to shine on all of us. The love that burst forth from the hill of Golgotha two thousand years ago continues to flow into all our lives.

And/Or

(iv) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The expression ‘exaltation of the cross’ would have made very little sense in the time of Jesus. ‘Exaltation’ suggested glory, honour, status, whereas death by crucifixion was the most shameful death imaginable. It was the complete absence of glory, honour and status. Why did the early Christians begin to speak of the death by crucifixion of Jesus as exaltation? They could only do so in the light of Jesus’ resurrection. In today’s second reading, Paul says that because Jesus ‘was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross’, God raised him high, or highly exalted him. In that sense, Jesus’ exaltation by God followed his death on the cross. Yet, the early church understood that Jesus was already being exalted by God as he hung from the cross. When people were doing their worst to Jesus, God was standing over his Son vindicating him, confirming all that his Son lived by and stood for. It was because Jesus was totally faithful to the work God gave him to do that he was crucified. What was that work that God gave Jesus to do? Jesus’ work was to reveal God’s love for the world. As Saint John says in this morning’s gospel reading, ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son’. On one occasion in John’s gospel Jesus said, ‘my food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work’. According to that same gospel Jesus’ last words before he died were ‘it is finished’. Jesus’ work of revealing God’s love for the world, for Jews, Samaritans, pagans, was experienced as threatening by many, especially those in power. They crucified him to put a stop to his work. Yet, in killing Jesus they enabled Jesus to finish the work God gave him to do. If his life proclaimed God’s love for the world, his death proclaimed that love even more powerfully. His death revealed a divine love, a love that endured in the face of all the very worst that evil and sin could inflict on him. That is why we can speak of the exaltation of the cross. When we look upon the cross, we believing we are looking upon an explosion of love, the glorious revelation of God’s love, a love that is stronger than sin and death, a love that embraced the world and embraces each of us in a very personal way. We can each say with Saint Paul in his letter to the Galatians, ‘I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me’.

And/Or

(v) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The discovery of the relics of the true cross by St Helena, the mother of Constantine, is dated to September 14, 320. The annual commemoration of that event has been celebrated since, in praise of the redemption won for us by Christ. No one in the time of Jesus would ever have put together the two words ‘triumph’ and ‘cross’. Far from being a triumph, death by crucifixion was considered to be the most degrading and terrifying form of execution. It was a way for the Roman authorities to show its triumph over all those who dared to threaten Roman order and peace. Yet, as Christians, we have no difficulty in looking upon the cross of Jesus as a triumph. Rome did not have the last word when it came to Jesus, because God raised Jesus from the dead and he made him the cornerstone of a new community, which went on to include a future Roman Emperor, Constantine. Through the eyes of the resurrection we can see the cross of Jesus as the triumph of love over hatred, of Jesus’ love over the hatred of his enemies, of God’s love over the hateful rejection of his Son. This is how John in his gospel understood the cross of Jesus. It was the glorious revelation of God’s love for the world, in the language of today’s gospel reading. Jesus himself says that a man has no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. We venerate the cross because it is a powerful manifestation of a love that is greater than any human love. That is why the earliest Christians tended to depict the crucifix as a glorious Christ with arms outstretched reigning in love from the cross. This morning we celebrate a triumph in which we all share. We are all embraced by the love of God that shines through Christ crucified. The cross has become good news for us. Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans expressed that good news very simply and very powerfully, ‘God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us’.

And/Or

(vi) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The words ‘triumph’ and ‘cross’ don’t normally belong together. Yet, as Christians, we don’t find the phrase, ‘triumph of the cross’, in any way strange. When we look on the cross of Jesus with the eyes of faith, we don’t simply see the tragic ending of a good man’s life. We behold what Paul called the power and wisdom of God, the power of a love greater than any human love, the love spoken about in today’s gospel reading. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’. Our own capacity to love is very influenced by the extent to which our love is returned. It is not so with God. On the cross, Jesus revealed a love so powerful that that it embraced even those who brought about his death. The love that burst forth from the hill of Golgotha two thousand years ago continues to flow into all our lives. The Eucharist that we celebrate makes this love present to us in a special way. God so loves the world that he continues to give us his Son in the Eucharist. Not only are we the beneficiaries of the triumph of God’s love on Calvary, the triumph of the cross, but our own lives can reveal to others the triumph of the cross. The triumph of the cross shows itself in all kinds of simple ways, in the tolerance and humour we show to each other against all the odds, in the willingness to let go of old hurts, in the bearing of terminal illness with patience and dignity, in the fidelity to significant commitments when they become costly, in the loving service that endures even when it is not appreciated. We pray on this feast that the triumph of the cross would continue to take flesh in all of our lives.

And/Or

(vii) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

When we had our parish pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi about two years ago, I bought a wooden cross. It is a replica of the cross that spoke to Saint Francis in the church of San Damiano in Assisi. On that occasion Francis heard the Lord call on him to rebuild his church. It is really a painting on wood of Jesus on the cross. The image is very unlike the image of Jesus on the large crucifix in our side chapel. There it is very evidently the suffering Jesus that is depicted. On this cross from Assisi Jesus looks very serene. There is no trace of suffering in his face. It is almost like the glorious Christ on the cross with his arms outstretched to embrace all. That image is very appropriate for today’s feast. This is not like the feast of Good Friday, where we dwell on the sufferings of Jesus. This feast proclaims the triumph of Jesus on the cross. What was the nature of that triumph? It was firstly the triumph of life over death. Those who put Jesus to death did not have the final say, because God the Father raised him high, in the words of Saint Paul in today’s first reading. It was also the triumph of love over hatred. Human hatred for Jesus did not have the last word, because in and through Jesus crucified, the love of God for humanity was shining brightly. In the words of the gospel reading, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. It was also the triumph of mercy over sin. In today’s first reading, the people of Israel cried out, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord’. However, when they looked upon the bronze serpent they experienced the Lord’s life-giving mercy. When we look upon the face of the Lord on the cross, we too find mercy; we experience the cross as the throne of grace. Today’s feast celebrates the good news that God turned the tragedy of Calvary into a triumph for us all. Through the cross, God’s life-giving love and mercy was embracing us all. Today’s feast also reminds us that in our own personal experiences of Calvary, the Lord is present with us in a loving and merciful way, working on our behalf to bring new life out of our suffering and dying.

And/Or

(viii) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus says to Nicodemus, ‘the Son of Man must be lifted up’. The verb ‘to lift up’ lends itself to speaking of both Jesus’ crucifixion and his resurrection. Jesus was physically lifted up on the cross. Jesus was also lifted up in glory. As Paul says in today’s second reading, God raised Jesus high and gave him the name which is above all names. When Jesus says to Nicodemus that he must be lifted up, he is referring to both his crucifixion and his resurrection. The use of the same verb in this fourth gospel for both the crucifixion and resurrection meant that Jesus’ being lifted up on the cross was understood as itself a lifting up in glory. The glory of God shone through Jesus crucified. The crucifixion of Jesus was not just an despicable act of great human cruelty. It was also a moment when the light of God’s glorious love was shining brightly. The lifting up of Jesus on the cross spoke of God’s giving his Son to the world out of love for the world so that the world may have life, in the words of the gospel reading. Some images of Jesus on the cross are suffused with light. It is the glorious Son of God who is ruling from the cross in love. It is the exalted Jesus who looks out upon us. Such images of the cross are in keeping with the understanding of the crucifixion in John’s gospel. Today’s feast is not like Good Friday, when we reflect more upon the sufferings of Jesus. The feast of the exaltation of the cross announces that on Calvary God’s love was more powerful than human sin, God’s light overcame human darkness and God’s life triumphed over death. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians declares that from a merely human perspective Christ crucified is foolishness and weakness, but in reality Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God. Today’s feast gives us hope that God who worked so powerfully for the good of all through the darkness of Calvary can work in a life-giving way in all our own Calvary experiences.

And/Or

(ix) Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today’s feast of the exaltation or triumph of the Holy Cross is not like Good Friday. Our focus is not so much on the sufferings of Jesus. Rather, we celebrate what the gospel reading refers to as the lifting up of the Son of Man. The term ‘lifting up’ suggests not just his being lifted up on the cross but also his being lifted up in glory. There are some depictions of the cross which highlight this double sense of Jesus being lifted up, where the body of Jesus on the cross is almost glorified. You may be familiar with the cross of San Damiano in Assisi. When Saint Francis was praying before it, he heard the Lord call on him to rebuild the church. The image of Jesus that is painted on that cross has a glorious, luminous, quality. It is that kind of depiction of the cross that reflects the meaning of today’s feast, which is the feast of the triumph or exaltation of the cross. In what sense was the crucifixion of Jesus a triumph? It was firstly the triumph of love over hatred, the triumph of God’s love over human sin. All authentic love is life-giving and God’s love is supremely life-giving. That is why the crucifixion of Jesus was a triumph in another sense, the triumph of life over death, of God’s life over human death, a triumph in which we can all share. That verse in today’s gospel reading which has spoken to believers down the centuries really sums up the meaning of today’s feast, ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him’. Today we are invited to look upon the cross as the explosion of God’s life-giving life for us all and then to allow ourselves to be drawn into that love so that we can reflect it to others through our lives.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[psalmonesermons]

What is the unforgivable sin? Part 2/2

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit

Various verses have shown us that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world including both believer and unbeliever.

So, what makes the difference between the believer and the unbeliever?

The unbeliever has rejected Jesus Christ and has rejected the Holy Spirit telling them that Jesus is Lord.

John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This verse sates that God’s judgment can be averted by believing in His Son. Every person is responsible for his or her decision about Christ.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned [judged].

The only means of salvation is to believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. The believer is under no sentence of condemnation (see also John 5:24; Romans 8:1).

God’s judgment is a natural consequence of unbelief.

The present tense of “is” (underlined above) indicates that the believer is no longer under the judgment of God. Believers are beyond the danger of eternal separation from God.

To believe “in” or into Him is more than giving credence to what someone said. This expression means to have full confidence in Christ, to rely on Him alone for our salvation.

We rely on His sacrifice for our sin to save us eternally. We rely on Him, not on our works, self-righteousness, or religion like Nicodemus did at first.

Only the person who does not believe qualifies for the condemnation from God. The present tense here shows that unbelievers are under the continuing effects of God’s judgment right now. Faith is the means whereby one receives eternal life.

The condemnation here is not that at the end of life but is current to those who know not Christ.

The Greek tense for ‘is’ indicates that those who do not currently believe in Christ already stand under God’s condemnation.

People who do not trust the work of Christ for their salvation stand condemned. They do not have to do anything to be condemned they are condemned from the start by their unbelief in Jesus Christ. God makes it clear that unbelievers are currently in a state of condemnation and not, in this verse, exposed to future condemnation.

This should spur on all believers in our evangelism and witnessing.

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit

Mark 3:22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”

v28“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Blasphemy is defined as the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things, synonymous with irreverence, insulting and disrespect of God or Christ.

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit means here, calling the Holy Spirit an evil spirit. This is a lie. In the same way the unbeliever do when they persist in their unbelief and are in effect calling the Holy Spirit a liar each time, he tries to tell them that Jesus Christ is Lord. This can go on throughout their life but when they die, their time to be saved has passed and they will not be forgiven for this blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

The Pharisees tried to attribute Jesus’ miracle of casting out demons to the power of some evil spirit rather than the Holy Spirit.

John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

When the Holy Spirit comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit will show a) the sin is their unbelief in Jesus, b) that Jesus’ death is the only way to God, and c) that judgment on sinners is certain because Satan has been conquered by Jesus’ death.

The Gospel message is Good News for believers with all our sins forgiven but extremely Bad News for those who reject Jesus Christ and by calling the Holy Spirit a liar each time tells them that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Conclusions

There is only one sin the bible says that is unforgivable.

This one sin is ‘blasphemy against the Holy Spirit’ which insults him and calls him a liar when He tells a person that ‘Jesus is Lord.’

All true believers cannot commit this sin by definition.

Only unbelievers can commit the unforgivable sin.

The unbelievers would have every chance in life to believe what the Holy Spirit is saying that Jesus is Lord.

All unbelievers stand already condemned by God that is why we must be urgent to tell them the Good News about Jesus Christ.

Amen

Personal Prayer

Much of this study has been adapted from Roger Price BBS 008

[the-chosen-fanfiction]

Yussif | Planting A Seed Of Faith | Romantic

Requested: Yes

A mysterious stranger asks you about Jesus and you’re keen on sharing more, only to find out that he is very kind.

In spite of the itchiness of the woollen cloak, Yussif carries on in his disguise. The words he had heard from the Rabbi his peer Shmuel had been investigating still echo inside his mind, followed by a sleepless night and countless questions that keep him puzzled.

He understands the interest of Rabbi Nicodemus and has in turn started to seek out information himself, which is what brings him here, in the streets of Jerusalem. Yussif has tailed Jesus and His followers all the way from Capernaum, which makes him feel kind of bad, but his determination to get to know more drives him to this pursuit and somehow condones it, at least in his own opinion.

A few of Jesus’ followers are currently standing at a market stall, bickering over which kind of meat to choose to go with the stew tonight. Yussif recognises one of them to be Andrew, but the other two do not ring a bell. Slowly, he walks towards them, listening in on their conversation whilst pretending to browse through the wares of the adjacent stall. 

“–No, Thomas, how could you possibly think that venison goes well with the spices Little James has just picked?” Andrew brings up, obviously irritated with his friend, who lets out a sound of offence. 

“You’re a connoisseur, aren’t you, Andrew?” he sarcastically counters, “It’s not like I’ve been a vintner for years whilst you were out fishing!”

Yussif lets his eyes go over the goods but shows no real interest, instead focused on the three men beside him.

“Hey, that’s low! Plus, that means you know stuff about wine, not that you know stuff about food!”

Thomas scoffs. “It means that I know what goes well with certain types of wine. If you’ve got the young kind of wine, freshly pressed, you’d do well to pair it with—”

Andrew makes a movement with his hand in the air. “Blah-blah-blah. I don’t care, Thomas! Let’s just choose some meat and get out of here!”

“Come on guys,” Little James sighs, finally able to talk over the two arguing men, “All of us are hungry, especially Jesus, so I think we’d do best to just choose something and hit the road.”

Thomas sighs. “Well, we have to wait for (Y/n) anyways.”

It earns an acknowledging hum from the other two.

“What do you think Jesus wanted to tell us?” Yussif’s breath hitches as he tries to listen closely, pretending to be interested in a few selections of condiments the vendor sells, who is looking at him strangely, for he doubts that the Rabbi will buy something from him.

Little James leans on his walking stick and lets out a thoughtful sound. “After that miracle, He just—”

“Are you eavesdropping on my friends?” 

An unfamiliar female voice startles Yussif so much that he nearly yelps, and in shock, he turns sharply to the sound. The three Disciples also let their attention go to the owner of that voice – you – as you stand with a hand on your hip and a basket on your arm filled with eggs. 

Yussif stutters. “A-Ah, I’m sorry? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You raise an eyebrow. “The past few minutes, I’ve been observing your behaviour and noticed you’re moving closer towards them, but you’re showing no interest in buying anything from the market stall. The way you’re skimming through the wares is not that believable.”

The Rabbi’s gaze goes from you to the three followers, back to you. He pulls his hood a little tighter over his head to shield himself as he observes you a little closer. (H/c) hair peeks out from underneath the light drape you wear over it, and your face is quite wonderful to look at. He immediately wonders if you had been with the group for a long time, but he knows that you haven’t. After all, he would have remembered those (e/c) eyes of yours. 

“I…” he stutters, all words failing him. “You’re followers of Jesus, right? You, too?” He nods towards you, and you raise your eyebrows in question. 

“Are you from the Sanhedrin or something?”

Yussif lets out a shivering breath. “N-No, I’m just… Trying to find out more. Can I… Can I talk to you in a more quiet area?”

“Please step away from the lady, sir.” Andrew pipes up, “She’s with us.”

Your eyes narrow at the man and you raise your hand at Thomas as he attempts to intersect himself between you and the stranger. “Thank you, Thomas, it’s alright. I can talk to this man for a few minutes. I’ll… I’ll be fine, you three go back to camp already.”

“And leave you behind with some random stranger? I don’t think so, (Y/n),” Andrew counters. Yussif clears his throat, averting his gaze lest he be recognised by any of the three followers. 

You sigh and then nod. “Fine.” you state, handing the basket of eggs to Thomas, who takes them with a slight huff. “You boys finally decide on what kind of meat to buy. Go for either venison or goose, it really doesn’t matter for this dish. In the meantime, I’ll try and find a spot to talk to you, sir.”

Yussif gratefully curtsies and the three Disciples are briefly in conflict on what to do, but you give them a warning glare. “Come find me in ten minutes. No sooner.”

Andrew huffs, shrugging in some sort of acknowledgement. He isn’t necessarily pleased, but knows that he cannot say no to you. “Fine,” he agrees.

“I’ll see you boys soon. Come on, sir.”

With Yussif right behind you, you walk through the streets until you come across a secluded alleyway, where only a few rats scurry about. You gesture towards it and the pair of you head into it, finding some privacy. 

“So, what’s your name?” you want to know, “You’ve heard mine already, so I’m curious to hear what yours is.”

His eyes search your questioning face, wondering if he should reveal his name, but he’s almost certain that none of the Disciples have mentioned him to you, for why would they? “It’s Yussif,” you say, “I’m from… From Capernaum.”

You slowly nod and smile softly. “Well, good to meet you, Yussif. Forgive me for the boys back there, they tend to be a bit paranoid when it comes to matters like this. I am indeed a follower of Jesus. And judging by your face, I think you’re… How to put it… Trustworthy to hear more about it? I mean to say that you don’t strike me as a threatening person, is all.”

A soft sound of amusement leaves your lips and Yussif cannot help but mirror it. The sound makes his gut pleasantly tingle with how light it sounds. He is almost inclined to ask how he has never seen you before, but he knows that he can’t reveal how he knows the other followers already, and that he has observed the group from afar in the wake of the events of the past weeks. 

“So, this Jesus. How did you meet Him?” Yussif inquires. The kindness behind his eyes is visible from under his hood and you are drawn to them as well as to the sweet smile that accompanies it. 

“Ah, He healed me,” you say, “I had this strange, painful bump in my…” You flush in embarrassment and put a hand on your chest, “This area, and He took it away from me. The least I can do to pay Him back is to join His ministry.”

Yussif catches himself thinking that your abashed character is endearing. Despite the severity of your story, your gentle nature is refreshing.

“I-I’m glad to hear that you’ve been healed.” he states, “I’ve heard of the miracles, hence my curiosity.” You give a small bow of your head and hum. “Do you… Have you been with Him for long?”

“A few weeks now,” you confide, “I’m from Betsaïda.” It explains why Yussif has never seen you before, for he had been a day trip behind constantly, and he gives you a kind grin. 

Then, he tilts his head and queries: “You… Happen to know where He is now, right?”

A tad apologetic, you rub your neck. “As a matter-of-fact, I do, but all of us are very exhausted from our trip here, so I don’t think the Rabbi is keen on receiving visitors tonight.”

Yussif slightly shakes his head. “Ah, I didn’t mean to overstep any boundaries, but I just… I want to know something.” He looks over his shoulder to see if anyone is listening in on you before stepping closer, lowering the volume of his voice. His proximity makes you feel inexplicably bubbly on the inside and you momentarily imagine this stranger joining the group as a follower, which you wouldn’t mind.

“Do you think He is the Messiah we’ve been waiting for?” Yussif whispers. 

You stare at him for a long moment, eyes locking with his, and something like a spark seems to ignite whilst you contemplate your response. 

“Yes.” you breathe at last, shy at his closeness. “I am certain that He is. The things He does… The miracles, the prophecies… There is no doubt about it.” It is dangerous to say these words out loud, but for some reason, you trust him with it.

Yussif gawks at you for a few seconds, no sound coming out of his mouth. “Right…” he then mutters, “Right. I… I want to speak to Him. Please.”

You bite your bottom lip as he pleadingly looks at you. “Please…” he once again whispers. 

For a moment, you look out into the busy street to see if Andrew has shown up yet, but the former fisherman is nowhere to be found. Leaning closer, you whisper: “As long as you promise to not show up before the sun is up tomorrow.”

“You have my word.”

“Okay.” You tell him the place where the camp has been set up, just on the outskirts of town, and Yussif gives you a grateful smile.

“Thank you so much, (Y/n).” he breathes, grinning widely. “I can’t… Can’t wait to see Him and ask the questions that I have. I owe you.”

You give him a sheepish smile and fold your hands in front of you timidly. “Of course.” you say with a small shrug, “It’s nothing, really.”

“Nonsense,” Yussif counters. “You are a very kind woman. Your husband must be very happy with you.”

Your cheeks flush. “I’m not married.”

His heart skips a beat. “You’re not?”

Shaking your head, you open your mouth to speak up that you aren’t betrothed when a certain curly-haired Disciple suddenly pops up around the corner, calling your name. 

“There you are! I was already worried sick, and—” His gaze falls upon the Rabbi who is standing with you, his face not covered enough to hide his identity anymore, and Andrew’s jaw falls agape. 

“Rabbi Yussif?”

You blink in puzzlement, your gut feeling strange. “You–You know each other?”

Yussif lowers his gaze and steps back. “F-Forgive me, I meant no subterfuge. I’ve… I’ve followed your group and your Rabbi all the way from Capernaum, because I want to know more… Nicodemus’ accounts are… Well, I just need to know more, that’s all.”

Andrew exhales and seems to relax. “Right.” he sighs. “You can see the Rabbi, but not before tomorrow—”

“I know,” Yussif interrupts, “I’ve just spoken to (Y/n) about it. Again, I’m sorry for concealing my true identity from you, (Y/n), I just… Wasn’t familiar with you yet and wasn’t sure if you knew me.”

You can’t fight the small smile playing over your lips. “Andrew seems to trust you, so I think we’re alright, Yussif.”

His face lights up. “Thank you. I, uh… I will no longer outstay my welcome and leave you to your business, you must be starving. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, alright? Shalom shalom. Have a good evening.”

“Shalom shalom, Yussif. Erev tov.”

Pulling his cloak a little tighter around his head again, Yussif hurries away. Both you and Andrew look after him as he goes, and once he turns the corner, Andrew chuckles.

In surprise, you look at the former fisherman. “Hm? What is it?”

Andrew gives you an amused look and raises his shoulders. “I don’t know, you tell me! You seem to be very charmed by him, that's all.”

With crimson cheeks, you let a scoff escape you. “That was before I knew he was a Rabbi.”

“Well, that doesn’t have to mean anything when it comes to love. A lot of Rabbi’s are married, you know?”

“Love? M-Married? What– Andrew! I’ve only just met the man!”

He laughs heartily, throwing back his head. “Look at you, (Y/n)! I wouldn’t believe your claim to being indifferent for just a second! Come on, let’s go back to camp. I’m sure you’ll need plenty of time to prepare for tomorrow!”

Rolling your eyes, you shake your head. “You’re lucky I gave my basket of eggs to Thomas earlier, otherwise I would have broken one right against that thick skull of yours!”

Andrew is unfazed by this threat. “Oh, I would have loved you doing that, for it makes my hair so shiny! But don’t worry, (Y/n). Yussif is one of the… Kinder Rabbi’s, and, if you ask me, he might be very close to becoming a believer…!” 

Wiggling his eyebrows, he gives you a wide grin, and you slap him against the arm. 

“Stop it.” you hiss, “I can still put eggs into your bedroll!”

Your words do not cease Andrew’s teasing on the way back to camp. Hopefully, he will not reveal anything about this encounter to the others, even though there is truth to his suspicions.

[matchflares]

forgive me

i just rewatched the secret of nimh and it disturbed me even more than it did when i was a kid. i think what hit me so hard this time was the realization that its message is not only anti animal-cruelty, but i believe anti-incarceration. it's impossible to see the animals locked and trembling in their cages, stripped of their bodily autonomy and physical safety, without experiencing a sudden, sharp fear and distrust of our prison system and empathy for all those trapped against their will. incarceration is not just scary; it is cruel and unethical. and the strong morals of the rats - their commitment to building a life without stealing, even from the humans who oppress them - provides a sharp contrast to the amoral violence of NIMH (who not only captured and tortured the rats, but remain their pursuers, intent on their extermination, or genocide).

also why did jonathan not tell mrs. brisby that he wouldn't age? did he know he wasn't long for this world?

and what was the connection between the great owl and nicodemus? their character designs are so similar, and nicodemus called the owl a dear comrade. what was the owl's connection to the rats of nimh?

not to go off again but i think the fact that the great owl not only leaves mrs. brisby alive (even though she insists, "owls eat mice"), but even goes so far as to advise her, illustrates how even groups pitted against each other can come together to aid one another in liberation

i just started reading the book (by robert c. o'brien) to see if i can find the answers to any of these questions, but i can already tell it's not going to be enough! it is, for all its merits, a children's book, and my heart aches for a 500-page fantasy/science fiction novel with descriptions as full and glittering as don bluth's animation.

[pmamtraveller]

DESCENT FROM THE CROSS (c. 1450) by ROGIER VAN DER WEYDEN

The painting shows the crucified Christ being carried from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Several other figures can be seen in the shallow composition,including MARY CLEOPHAS, JOHN THE EVANGELIST, MARY SALOME, THE VIRGIN MARY, and MARY MAGDALENE.

All of the elements in this painting are meant to evoke a strong, immediate, and visceral response from the viewer. From the facial expressions and emotions of each of the characters to the similarities between MARY’s body as she faints and her son’s lifeless body.

These details reflect the idea of the “IMITATION OF CHRIST” that was at the heart of the Modern Devotion of the time that urged followers to feel and empathize directly with CHRIST’s suffering. Even the compressed space and the spatial and conceptual ambiguity in the image adds to the immediacy and the presence of these figures.

This work was created in the same period that VAN DER WEYDEN was completing his apprenticeship with ROBERT CAMPIN, whose influence can be felt, for instance, in the hard surfaces, precise details, and taut linearity of the figures.

THE DESCENT FROM THE CROSS also had an immediate impact on other artists, many of whom in subsequent years emulated or directly copied the composition or its figures.

[alleannaharris]

Today's Black History Month illustration is of Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), the first Black painter to gain international acclaim for his depiction of landscapes and biblical themes.

Tanner was born in 1859 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the first of nine children born to Sarah Elizabeth Miller, a formerly enslaved woman who escaped her enslavers via the Underground Railroad, and Benjamin Tucker Tanner, an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Bishop.

His middle name comes from the town Osawatomie, Kansas, where the abolitionist John Brown started his anti-slavery campaign.

When Tanner was young, the Tanner family moved to Philadelphia. While in Philly, he attended the Robert Vaux School, one of the few Black schools that offered a liberal arts education. Despite his father objecting, Tanner decided he wanted to become a painter when he was 13. He began his art career in 1876 by painting harbour scenes, landscapes, and animals from the Philadelphia Zoo.

After self-study, in 1880, he enrolled at Philadelphia’s prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) where he was the only black student. Tanner made many connections among the artists and became a favorite of his teacher Thomas Eakins, one of the most important artists in American art history.

In 1888, Tanner secured a teaching position at Clark University in Atlanta with the help of Joseph C. Hartzell, a bishop from Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1890, Hartzell arranged an exhibition of Tanner’s works in Cincinnati, but when none of the paintings sold, Hartzell purchased Tanner’s entire collection.

The money from Hartzell’s purchase allowed Tanner to travel to Paris in 1891 and enroll at the Academy Julian. During this time, he made Paris home because he felt less affected by prejudice.

His greatest early work depicted Black people and tender moments. His most famous painting, “The Banjo Lesson” where an older man was teaching a young boy how to play the banjo was created while visiting family in Philly in 1893.

By 1894, his paintings were critically admired in the US and in Europe. In 1899, he created one of his most famous works, “Nicodemus Visiting Jesus,” which won PAFA’s Lippincott Prize in 1900. Through the rest of his life, he shifted focus to religious scenes and continued to receive praise and honors for his work.

He was named honorary chevalier of the Order of Legion Honor (France’s most distinguished award) in 1923. In 1927, Tanner was made a full academician of the National Academy of design, becoming the first Black person to receive the distinction.

After Tanner’s death in Paris in 1937, his name recognition declined until 1969 when the Smithsonian in Washington DC exhibited a few of his works. This exhibition was the first major solo exhibition of a Black artist in the United States.

In 1991, the Philadelphia Museum of Art assembled a touring exhibition of his work, sparking a new wave of interest.

Side note: The Tanner House is on 2908 W Diamond St in North Philadelphia (Strawberry Mansion). It gained recognition as a National Historic Landmark in 1976, but it fell into disrepair. They’re still trying to find a long-term non-profit steward, but the temporary local fiduciary is the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. To donate to the Tanner House Campaign, reach out to the Preservation Alliance.

I’ll be back on Monday with another illustration and story!

[thuviel]

For Fennec: Chocolate (>:)) 3, 5 Cheesecake: 1 Cupcakes: 2

For Faron: Ice cream: 5 Doughnuts: 3, 5

For Nicodemus: Candy: 1, 4 Ice cream: 3 For Dio: Lollipops: 2, 4 Doughnuts: 1

Hello I bring questions :DD no need to answer all, but would love to hear! hehe

Ohohoho a whole marathon of questions!

Fennec

Chocolate 3 What does your OC find comforting when they are distressed or anxious? Are they able to ask for this comfort from others? Or do they need to be alone?

Depends on the kind of distress and how strong it is. But generally his strongest instict is to withdraw and be alone, usually in animal form (I can finally say this omg!!). Sometimes straight up just flee the situation. What actually comforts him a lot though is kind words from others, words of affirmation, words of comfort, just gentle words that prove to him that things are not as disastrous as they might seem. He would never in a million years even consider asking for that though xD

5 Does your OC ever comfort eat when they are unhappy? If so then what food do they find most comforting and why? If not, then what might they do instead?

His appetite gets worse if he's unhappy so not much comfort eating happening. However he has discovered that he loves chocolate, thanks to Nielh so graciously sharing it, and that actually helps when he's feeling down c:

Cheesecake 1 Has your OC fully realised their own potential? If not in their own view, then perhaps in the opinions of others?

Nooooo, he's only just barely started on his journey of growth and self realisation, he has miles still to go. But his new friends are helping so so much!

Cupcakes 2 Does your OC enjoy parties and festivals? Or do they find them somewhat overwhelming? Or even pointless or frivolous?

Yes but also it's Complicated TM

Faron

Ice cream 5 At what point did your OC consider their childhood to be over? Was it a milestone in terms of age? Or did it follow a particular event? Did they feel ready for adulthood at that point?

Hmm I think if we're talking strictly childhood, then he felt like that part of his life was over once he started joining the hunting parties around 14-15. He didn't consider himself an adult though until he received his vallaslin at 17. He definitely thought he was ready for adulthood but boy did he very quickly face tough challenges he was not prepared for xD

Doughnuts 3 Does your OC take the time necessary to recover fully from exertions or strain? Or do they sometimes push themselves to get back out out into the fray (literally or figuratively) before they are truly ready?

Oh once he's with the Inquisition he constantly pushes himself out there without being ready and recovered. Sometimes because he truly has to but often just because he feels obligated to and would feel too guilty resting in his rooms when he feels "needed out there". He isn't completely unreasonable though and some stern words from the healers, Josephine or Dorian will persuade him to stay and rest more. Usually.

5 Does your OC believe that good deeds should be their own reward? Or do they prefer that appreciation be shown through generous material compensation?

Oh Faron is definitely an altruist, honestly not helping people and doing things out of kindness would eat him up inside. Who cares about rewards.

Nicodemus

Candy 1 Does your OC have any "guilty pleasures"? Are they at all secretive or embarassed about these?

Honestly what gives him most enjoyment is sitting with Sips and work on spell stuff together, or just watching Sips be brilliant and work on spells. He would definitely be super embarassed to admit that when he was younger, but as they grow old together I don't think it's a secret anymore c:

4 For what (if anything) is your OC most greedy? Perhaps fame? Sexual satisfaction? Knowledge? Power? Or something else entirely?

Knowledge, 100%. In fact he often does quite stupid/inadvisable things for the chance that he might learn a tiny bit of new knowledge. That and ink and paper for new spells xD

Ice cream 3 Does your OC have a good sense of humour? What kind of jokes do they find funny? Do they have a favourite joke themselves?

It takes a lo to make him laugh at jokes, he has to really find it funny. Usually that would be something with a really clever word play or particularly niche wizard references.

Dio

Lollipops: 2 To what degree does your OC fear failure? Are they something of a perfectionist in all things? Or can they accept a chance of failure in some situations?

Dio is a bit less of a perfectionist actually. He doesn't really fear failure too much in most circumstances, after all his entire existence has been framed as a failure from the day he was born, so he doesn't feel like he can really do that much worse than being born in the first place.

4 What does your OC see as being their greatest failure? Does the memory of this still fill them with feelings of guilt or shame? Are their feelings of failure justified?

There isn't really any one big thing Dio failed that haunts them or anything. But when they were still small they tried their hardest for years to please their parents, they thought that if they behaved really well and did perfectly in all their lessons and chores that their parents would finally love them. They were around 5 when it finally sunk in that no matter how well they did or how much they excelled in their lessons, their parents never paid any more attention to them and never looked at them with anything other than disdain. They felt like they failed to make their parents love them. This realisation definitely shattered Dio's self worth and made them feel like an unlovable ugly thing that didn't deserve to be alive, feelings that they have struggled with since.

Doughnuts 1 Is your OC someone who finds it easy to relax? Or do they tend to always be busy and in need of external stimulation?

They prefer to be moving and actively doing things, pausing too long and not having anything to occupy them easily leads to dwelling on dark thoughts and their terrible self worth. Being in the army this wasn't a problem though, there was either constant training or actual battle happening, whenever there was a small break for rest they would pass out from exhaustion and not have any time to think. Then with the tadpole gang there always was some problem to solve or travelling to be done, so that worked fine too.

[cecils-dragons]

i always wanna do those fun asks with your ocs but don't know where to start/who to ask about (you have a lot! which honestly same here haha) soo more of an open-ended question;; which of your ocs would fall for updog

Rip to Micael, hibernating for 30+ years makes you miss out on trends and jokes. Daris is also on the older end but he has multiple younger friends/family so he's up to date with the going ons. This is very funny to think about tho, lots of mischief to be had with the tea house crew.

And oh thank you so much for the thought!!! I really need to break out of my shell and talk about my characters without prompting so your guys can actually know more about them. Curses of having anxiety and many characters to juggle. But thank you for starting with this, it's very funny to think about and I love getting to draw silly little interactions ;w;

[slowpoke272]

“mrs. frisby and the rats of NIMH” by robert c. o’brien

finished: july 11, 2023

this is a childhood throwback for me, though i had only ever seen the movie previously. although it’s a short children’s novel, due to its subject matter it definitely does not feel watered down or sugarcoated. as a kid, i loved seeing the animals interact with one another and the perspective you get from seeing a field mouse provide for her family. the don bluth film was one of my core movies in rotation, i remember loving the music and jeremy the crow especially.

as an adult reading the novel for the first time, i appreciate how closely the movie follows the story, although the main difference in the story i do strongly prefer the book; i don’t think this story needs a fantasy element and i think around that part in the movie is where it would kind of lose my interest. up until that point, the story seems pretty realistic, but i guess there existed a need for some kind of theatrics. i don’t hate the movie’s ending, but i definitely appreciate the original work much more. i also deeply appreciate the topics handled in this short novel, which include some of humanity’s blindspots and shortcomings. i also like that the original novel doesn’t have jenner in it actively ever, and he’s “off screen” for the action but still a pivotal role. again, i know it’s hollywood or whatever, but the jenner vs. justin and nicodemus sabotaging feels like projecting human behavior. these rats were given a gift of intelligence, but we’re supposed to believe that jenner’s main focus in life post-NIMH is revenge? humans absolutely, but i think the point of the novel is to show that different animals and species move differently. the only thing i kind of preferred the movie over was jeremy having a bigger, more comedic role, but for the purpose of remaining realistic and believable, i understand why jeremy has his part in the beginning and then that’s just sort of it with him.

i don’t think a novel like this could be published today catered to a young audience, but i think it introduced some of humanity’s pitfalls without being too grim. this is just how the animals have come to deal with humans and vice versa. the novel isn’t saying we need to do anything specific about it or feel a certain way, it just is our natural world. i think the blatant realness presented in this book allows for the reader to gain empathy for pretty much every character in the novel. we aren’t made to hate the farmer, for instance, but we are to understand from the rodents’ perspective, they’re just trying to survive and predict the farmer’s next steps.

it’s a cute story that isn’t corny or afraid to introduce darker themes like death to children without being gratuitously graphic or obscene. i enjoyed the different perspective and think this is entirely the point of storytelling, to present others’ perspectives fully fleshed out. it has always made me think twice about considering all rodents vermin.

fun random fact about the 1982 don bluth film: the person who voiced timothy brisby (albeit a small role for this story) later came out as transgender and has successfully transitioned. way to go, ina fried!

rating: 7/10 really enjoyed but wouldn't necessarily recommend

[nathanschock]

I am a disciple of the old-fashioned doctrine as much when it is covered with disgrace and rebuke as when it shall again display its power, as it surely shall. Skeptics may seem to take the Truth of God and bind it, scourge it, crucify it and say that it is dead. And they may endeavor to bury it in scorn, but the Lord has many a Joseph and a Nicodemus who will see honor done even to the body of Truth and will wrap the despised creed in sweet spices and hide it away in their hearts.

C. H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 24: 1878, Over Against the Sepulcher (No. 1404)

[themuseumwithoutwalls]

MWW Artwork of the Day (10/5/23) Duccio di Buoninsegna (Sienese, c. 1255-1319) Maestà: The Descent to Hell (c. 1308-11) Tempera on wood, 51 x 53.5 cm. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena

The episode of the Descent into Hell is not mentioned in the canonical gospels, but recounted in the apocryphal gospel of Nicodemus. It is an iconographic theme little diffused in Western painting, shows clear traces of Byzantine art in the abundant use of gold on Jesus' robe and the unimaginative layout of the scene itself. Having burst open the gates of hell, Christ arrives in limbo to set his forefathers free: while helping Adam to rise, he treads on a hideous Satan, who lies vanquished and blind with rage.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

28th September >> Fr. Martin's Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Luke 9:7-9 for Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: ‘He was anxious to see Jesus’.

Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA) Luke 9:7-9 'John? I beheaded him; so who is this?'

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see Jesus.

Gospel (USA) Luke 9:7-9 John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

Reflections (7)

(i) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

It is said of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, at the end of today’s gospel reading that ‘he was anxious to see Jesus’. Why would a powerful ruler like Herod Antipas want to see a preacher and healer from a small village in Galilee? The gospel reading says that he was puzzled because of the various reports he was hearing about Jesus. He was asking himself, ‘Who is this?’ This is the same Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded in prison. According to Luke’s gospel from which we are reading, Herod did get to see Jesus on the eve of Jesus’ death by crucifixion. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to get his view on this troublesome prophet. According to Luke, Herod questioned him at some length but Jesus gave him no answer. So Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him, putting an elegant robe on him in mockery and sent him back to Pilate. Herod’s curiosity about Jesus did not bring him to faith in Jesus. Yet, sometimes people’s curiosity about Jesus does bring them to faith. According to the gospel of John, Nicodemus’ curiosity about Jesus brought him to faith eventually. Even people of faith can be curious about Jesus and their curiosity can help to deepen their faith. There is much to be curious about when it comes to Jesus. There is such a depth to him that there is no limit to the questions we could ask in his regard. To believe is to see dimly, as Saint Paul says, and, as people of faith, we will always be trying to see more clearly. It is good to notice the questions that our faith gives rise to, questions about God, about Jesus, about the world. Exploring those questions can lead to a deepening of our faith, to a growth in our relationship with the Lord.

And/Or

(ii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospels different people are shown as reacting to Jesus in different ways. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, was tetrarch of Galilee during the public ministry of Jesus. He ruled Galilee on behalf of Rome. In this morning’s gospel reading Luke gives us a portrayal of the way Herod Antipas reacted to Jesus. Luke says that when Herod heard about all that was being done by Jesus he was puzzled. He was asking himself the question, ‘Who is this?’ As a result, he was anxious to see Jesus. In Luke’s gospel Herod finally did get to see Jesus. In the course of the passion of Jesus Pilate sent Jesus to Herod for a second opinion but Luke tells us that although Herod questioned him at great length, in the end Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. Herod was curious about Jesus, but his curiosity did not lead to faith. Yet, there were other people in the gospels who were curious about Jesus and whose curiosity eventually led them to faith. Nathanael and Nicodemus come to mind. Even for people of faith, there is much to be curious about in regard to Jesus. The question of Herod Antipas, ‘Who is this?’ is a good question for us all. It is a question that keeps us searching for Jesus. We always need to be searchers in his regard because we can never know him fully in this life. As Saint Paul says, ‘now we see as in a mirror dimly’. We are all on a quest to know the Lord more clearly so as to love him more dearly and follow him more nearly.

And/Or

(iii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Herod Antipas who features in today’s gospel reading was tetrarch of Galilee. On one occasion in Luke’s gospel, Jesus refers to him as a ‘fox’. Pharisees had come up to Jesus and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you’, to which Jesus replied, ‘Go tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons today and tomorrow and on the third day I will finish my work’. Luke would suggest that Herod was in fact hostile to Jesus and that Jesus had very little regard for Herod. Given that Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, we would not expect him to be overly sympathetic to Jesus. When we hear in this evening’s gospel reading, therefore, that Herod was anxious to see Jesus, we suspect that he didn’t really want to see Jesus to learn from him or to be enlightened by him. It was more a case of a certain kind of curiosity about this unusual preacher and healer. Not everyone who was anxious to see Jesus wanted to see him for the right reasons. In John’s gospel, on the other hand, there is a story of certain Greeks who come to Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, and say to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’. Here indeed true searchers who really wanted to come to know Jesus more fully so as to follow him more closely. They were responding to Jesus’ invitation to ‘Come and see’. We can all identify with those Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, who wanted to know him more deeply. That is one aspect of our baptismal calling. It is true that we will never know the Lord fully in this life. As Paul says, ‘now we see as in a mirror dimly’. However, we can keep on growing in our knowledge and love of the Lord until that day when we see him face to face. The Lord knows us thoroughly, as the shepherd knows his flock, and he invites us to know him as deeply as he knows us. As he remains in us, he calls on us to remain in him.

And/Or

(iv) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Herod mentioned in this morning’s gospel reading is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great; he was tetrarch of Galilee during the time of the public ministry of Jesus. Luke portrays him as curious about Jesus. He has heard about all that is being done by Jesus and he is puzzled. He asks himself, ‘Who is this I hear such reports about?’ He is anxious to see Jesus. That kind of curiosity and puzzlement about Jesus can be the beginning of faith for some people. Yet, even those who have been people of faith all their lives, and know a great deal about Jesus, will continue to be puzzled by him, will continue to ask that fundamental question, ‘Who is this?’ and will continue to want to see him more clearly. We never exhaust the mystery of Jesus on this side of eternity. As believers, we will always be seekers in his regard. We seek to know Jesus more fully, not only with our mind but also with our heart. In the words of Saint Richard, a thirteenth century bishop of Chichester, ‘may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day’.

And/Or

(v) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The Herod mentioned in this morning’s gospel reading is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. He ruled Galilee on behalf of the Romans during the whole period of Jesus’ public ministry. He was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist. In this morning’s gospel, it is said of him that he was puzzled or perplexed by what he was hearing about Jesus of Nazareth and, as a result, he was anxious to see him. The short gospel reading we have just heard is from Luke and in Luke’s gospel Herod does get to see Jesus and to meet with him. In the course of Jesus’ passion, Pilate sends him off to Herod for questioning. Luke tells us that at the end of Herod’s interrogation he and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt, and mocked him, putting an elegant robe on him for fun, before sending him back to Pilate. It seems that Herod’s curiosity about Jesus didn’t lead to faith in Jesus. Other people’s curiosity about Jesus did lead them to faith. Nicodemus and Zacchaeus come to mind. Curiosity, puzzlement, the desire to know more about Jesus, can be a good starting point for faith. Indeed, those of us who consider ourselves to be disciples of Jesus, people of faith, will often retain that sense of curiosity and puzzlement about him, that desire to know him better. Saint Paul, who met the risen Lord, could say, ‘I want to know Christ’. As the revelation of God in human form, Jesus is infinitely fascinating. He will always puzzle us; we will always be searching for him. It is in our searching that we find him more fully; it is in our desire to see him with the eyes of our heart and mind that we will come to know more completely.

And/Or

(vi) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospels curiosity can sometimes be the first step on the path to faith. The person of Nicodemus in John’s gospel comes to mind. He came to Jesus by night, under cover of darkness, because he was curious about him. At the end of John’s gospel he is found alongside Joseph of Arimathea, arranging a dignified burial for Jesus. Curiosity and the questions that arise from it can open us up to faith or to a deeper faith if we are already people of faith. In this morning’s short gospel reading, Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee, is curious about Jesus. He is full of questions about this man Jesus on the basis of the reports he has heard about him. ‘Who is this I hear such reports about?’ Luke tells us in the gospel reading that Herod was anxious to see Jesus. It is only in Luke’s gospel that Herod does get to see Jesus. During the passion of Jesus, Pilate decided to send Jesus to Herod for an opinion, because Jesus was from Galilee, Herod’s territory. Herod got his wish to see Jesus. However, Luke tells us that Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him before sending him back to Pilate. In Herod’s case, curiosity did not lead to faith. The questions generated by our reason, on their own, do not bring us to faith. Faith is ultimately a gift from God. It is given to all but to receive this gift we need to become like little children, as Jesus said. We need to acknowledge our poverty before the Lord and entrust ourselves to the gift he is offering us, which is none other than the gift of himself. As Jesus states in the first beatitude, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’.

And/Or

(vii) Thursday, Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s gospel reading we hear that people had various views about who Jesus was. The three views that are mentioned all have one thing in common. Jesus is considered a prophet of the past come back to life, whether that be John the Baptist who had been recently executed, or Elijah or some other ancient prophet. This must have been how many people saw Jesus, as a prophet in the line of the prophets of old. It is how Muslims and, many Jews, continue to see Jesus today. He is a great prophet. Luke, from whose gospel the reading is taken, would acknowledge that there is some truth in this understanding of Jesus. Jesus stands in the tradition of those prophets who proclaimed God’s word to God’s people. Yet, for Luke and for the early church as a whole, there is more to Jesus than just one more prophet from God. The question of Herod Antipas in this morning’s gospel reading, ‘Who is this that I hear such reports about?’ is a valid question. Shortly after this gospel passage Luke gives us his account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in the course of which God says of Jesus, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen’. This had never been said of any prophet. Jesus had a more intimate relationship with God than any of the prophets before him. God was more fully and powerfully present in Jesus than in any of the previous prophets. It is because we believe that Jesus is God’s Son that we seek to listen even more attentively to his word and allow that word to shape our lives.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Sunday, April 30, 2023

april 30_april 17

Sts. Myrrh-Bearing Women, righteous Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (celebration on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha).

STS. MARY AND MARTHA, SISTERS OF ST. LAZARUS (1ST C.)

The righteous sisters Martha and Mary believed in Christ before He raised their brother Saint Lazarus (October 17) from the dead. After the murder of the holy Archdeacon Stephen, persecution against the Jerusalem Church broke out, and Righteous Lazarus was cast out of Jerusalem. The holy sisters then assisted their brother in proclaiming of the Gospel in various lands.

Saints Martha and Mary are also commemorated on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women.

ACTS 6:1-7

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and many priests were obedient to the faith.

MARK 15:43-16:8

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He rises! He is not here. Please take a look at the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you. 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.