#ps its definitely very christian

[underasettingsun]

Book 11/50

Someone on facebook recommended this as being funnier than her other books typically are, and that was definitely the case right from the get go. The heroine really reminds me of Catherine from Northanger Abbey with the taking novels a bit too seriously.

This here made me laugh:

Let the record show that I predicted the profession of the male lead in chapter 4 😉

Overall impression: I loved this book, especially how much the heroine grows as a person, and how much of her thought process the author gives us. There are many times where I would have made different choices than she does but none of her actions make her irritating or frustrating. I liked how many options she has for her life (with a suitor for each lol), even though maybe it's not the most realistic thing.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[blamemma]

Lmao sorry about that, I sent you the anon while I was at work and now that I re-read it, it does sound confusing as hell.

Anyways, I meant that if RedBull decides that Sergio isn't fit to drive this weekend and Daniel isn't there, it will be interesting to see how Liam (who has never driven in an F1 car) or Yuki (who has never been in a RedBull car) drive the RB-19.

But most importantly, it will be funny to watch the mental gymnastics that Daniel's haters will perform to try and convince everybody that Liam and Yuki are better candidates for a future RB seat than Daniel even thought he's been doing SIM work since January.

I hope I'm clearer this time🤣

Ps. I'm not being hatful towards Liam and Yuki, I'm just saying.

hahahah no worries at all i definitely know those vibes dont worry!! yeah i get what ur saying its like let someone else drive that rbr and it'll give christian and helmut even more data to compare daniel against at silverstone and for him to try and beat???

i also really dont see a lot of the daniel hater stuff, very careful with who i follow on here and i only venture onto f1 twitter by accident most of the time!! but i do love how our guy has got people stressed by seemingly doing nothing!

[chloeworships]

⚠️

I had a vision of the words

“LETHAL WEAPON”

And then I saw some kind of hand held missile launcher and a solider.

When I visited Washington DC I had the chance to hold one of these rocket launchers and 2 soldiers had to put the launcher on my shoulder. brroooooooo it was HEAVY AS… LOL 😂 I couldn’t believe it. What an experience. I was so inspired I wanted to join the Navy in the spot. I grabbed an application brought it back to Canada and when I told my parents they were like Ha. Never 😞💔😅

In the second vision, I saw at least 20+ soldiers in formation standing beside canons. A General 🎖️dashed a crossed the line and in front of me yelling orders for the troops to shoot. The soldiers were modern day but the canons were from the 1800’s

I believe the LORD is saying someone’s military equipment needs an upgrade OR that someone’s current military equipment is outdated. Can you win a war with these?

I also believe the LORD is telling us the fighting will intensify.

I saw nothing to indicate there would be successful peace talks or a ceasefire… yet.

After this I saw the Archangel Gabriel’s name so I know these visions were shown to me by him.

Third vision:

God showed me a demon then an Angel came out from the Heavens with bows and arrows and started shooting this demon. The Angel was invisible 🫥 All I could see was an outline of its body, wings etc. On the tip of its wing I saw our beautiful Canadian flag 🇨🇦 It was almost like this Angel was wearing a lapel 😂

This was Archangel Uriel. He is protecting our nation. Which I I didn’t know 👀

The Angel looked EXACTLY like this (see images below) but with wings and armour and his hair was wavy like our PM’s. His arrows moved so quickly at the speed of light babes. It was super human speed. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m not entirely sure because this part of the vision was blurry but it looked as though at the tip of the arrows was FIRE 🔥 Anywho that demon was defeated. I wanted to clap and shout with joy for having seen this victory 🏹

🤩

Maybe someone is wondering if our country will be or is safe and God is saying absolutely. AA Michael protects our nation too, under the covenant God made with Abraham as a county founded on Christian principles however this Angel was Uriel. Canada is a Promiseland 🇨🇦😃

I’m not even gonna lie babes but all of these latest visions on the military indicate to me that something is happening and preparations are being made that only a few are privy to. Something is definitely brewing because Angels only show up when it’s MAJOR.

It’s interesting because God gave me the song 🎶 Unstoppable🎶 by Sia and she talks about putting her arnour on. Then I remembered the scripture where Paul discusses putting on the armour of God. (See the post before this one).

You wouldn’t be putting on armour if you weren’t getting ready to fight yeah? OR at the very least shielding yourself from an assault.

It’s time to prepare babes ⚔️

We need to prepare for this war to escalate but please pray about this. Allow God to speak to you and to speak to the Heads of State.

About Uriel:

I had a prophetic dream almost 2 years about Uriel coming to protect me from these white supremacists who tried to attack my home in the realm. He had fire 🔥 next to him and he said to me in a slithering voice “THE FIRE OF GOD”. I spoke to all about this before.

I decided to google “what Angel has a bow and arrow” and I found this:

Recall God gave us 1 Corinthians 15:51 where Paul says “Listen, I will tell you a MYSTERY”. So what exactly is the definition of Mystery: “something that is difficult or impossible to explain” 👀

PEOPLE OF GOD!!! I am screaming!!!

Uriel is a warrior Angel babes and he was the first Angel I ever encountered. He is very special to me 😇 THIS IS BIG

Please take heed of what the LORD is saying.

PS. I’m also being told that our PM will absolutely protect our interests both domestic and foreign. I don’t even know why there is doubt about this because DUH!!! I’m just kidding, obviously there is plenty of doubt to go around but the answer is YES. We’re good. I, for one, never doubted him and his commitment to our country.

[imthepunchlord]

PS: Since we are on the subject, what would you do with the Miraculous that represent the Ying Yang (I think that's how it is written)? I remember that you also mentioned that the black cat and the ladybug did not quite fit together, especially if one takes into account that the miraculous supposedly have an Asian origin.

(Black) Cat and Ladybug worked well together when their concept was luck and they were more European oriented. Even more so that the "unlucky" black cat stems purely from Europe and the fear of witches and the rise of Christianity as witches were associated with the devil and black cats were associated with witches. This would also mean that what they would've had would have been very recent and new, as black cats became unlucky in the 17th century. And playing off this I realize that Plagg and Tikki would actually be 414 years old (with the show set in 2015 and assuming they were made in the year of 1601).

So for the Cat and Ladybug pair that they want, it works for Europe.

Now for a powerful duo tied to China and based on yin-yang, it's not so ideal.

I haven't really found anything on ladybugs in Chinese culture. The most there is to them is that ladybugs are red and that's a color of luck. But when you look up lucky animals in Chinese culture, ladybugs do not come up. What is lucky is the whole Zodiac, Carp, Crane, Elephant, Lion, Frog/Toad, Turtle, Duck, Bat, ect.. Almost everything pops up except for Ladybug.

And on Cat, cats are positively viewed in all of the east. They're known as guardians and to be watchful. They're welcomed as they keep pests under control and its believed that their gaze discourage evil spirits. As one of the pair that represents yin-yang, Cat is a little out of left field but you know what, you could tie in the Zodiac legend, the Cat lost being included but it got a higher rank.

But, they want this to be Creation and Destruction for the yin and yang pair. The best option for it would be Tiger and Dragon.

The whole thing about yin and yang is that they are opposites but are also similar. Best example to give is moon and sun. They are both sources of light, and have long been symbols of power and mythology and magic; but one comes with the day and one comes with the night.

For most ideal yin-yang pair, that is Tiger and Dragon.

They're both symbols of power and authority, beings to be respected and to admire/fear. They are equals, but they are opposites in what they are.

The Dragon represents the heavens, spirituality, order, tranquility, patience, and wisdom. It seeks for the world to be in order and to be peaceful, for things to have structure and definition.

The Tiger represents earth, matter (physical body), chaos, war, aggression, and action. The Tiger arises to bring change, to try and bring a new order to the world. This causes the Dragon to come down and face it, trying to keep the order of things. Neither can defeat the other and constantly circle each other in a battle of order and chaos, yet are unable to exist without the other. A world of nothing but order is lifeless, and a world of chaos is unlivable.

For the most ideal yin-yang pair, that's Tiger and Dragon. This is why you see the Dragon vs Tiger match up so much in anime/manga. They're that iconic of rivals. Alternatively, if you don't want Dragon to exist as a miraculous, Snake is a good option. Otherwise, it is reasonable to think of Dragon exists as a powerful miraculous and can be of the few if not only mythical creature to exist as a miraculous.

[pantrydish]

The Beauty of Christianity

I was just thinking why i would choose to believe in Christianity rather than Buddhism (which is my family's religion). I feel that although buddhism has meaning and beliefs of their own but it really doesn’t make much sense to me like why can’t eat beef? “oh its just god”, they say. Or rather they don’t have a proper reason why we shouldn’t. I don’t disrespect it but personally, it just doesn’t resonate with me. Strange enough, I was placed in a family church (with no family to go with). That’s because my family was poor, I grew up in a single parent family & churches would provide free tuition for kids who need that guidance. From there, I went to church weekly but I wasn’t very well accepted back then by other kids as I did not have a family to come with. I know, kids can be so mean sometimes. But still, my pastors told me Jesus did not have anyone but He has a Father in heaven whom is willing to accept each and everyone of us. I accepted it without fully knowing the meaning of this. It was just a very complex explanation to a kid. I learned my values from church. From loving everyone, even your enemies to being a servant leader. But sad to say, my teenage years came and I left church. I am not close to my family, I did not know the concept of love but I just wanted to be accepted and loved by someone else. I jumped from relationships to relationships out of the emptiness of my heart. Overtime, I came to realise this is such a worldly affair to have. I have been wanting to look for a church to stay but I just can’t find one. I wasn’t sure which church would fit me and how I can stay until Heart of God Church found me. Recently, Ps How sent in his daily devotions with us and here is his reflection: When faith-filled people share their dreams and visions, we either support them or stay silent. I guess one of the reasons why Ps Lia and I can build a youth church is because we always believe and support young people's crazy ideas and outlandish dreams. I am truly blessed to be in a church where pastors really believe in the young despite a lot of us coming from broken families. They empathised with us & did not want us to feel left out in any way. I think thats the beauty of Christianity—knowing that you are so broken and weak on the inside yet you are still valued and loved by God and faith-filled people.  Without church, I wonder where I’d be. I would have probably went stray from there. I would have suffered more and feel so alone. Lastly, I am still a work in progress. I am not perfect but I do want to learn from my mistakes. With that said, I definitely don’t want to be a hypocrite. I don’t force people to come to church as well. This is not a post to convert anyone but it’s just a little reflection of mine.

[buggie-hagen]

Sermon for First Sunday of Christmas (12/27/20)

Primary Text | Galatians 4:4-7

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

Dear People of God,

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children” (Gal. 4:4-5). It is important that Jesus was “born under the law.” The law is any set of rules. When people say the Bible is a book of rules I cringe. Jesus was not born so that we could replace one set of rules with another set of rules. Rather, Jesus was born “in order to redeem those who were under the law.” Any law. He was born of a woman, under the law, so that we would no longer be slaves to the law, but children. A slave does things under compulsion. But when one is made a child, an heir of God, they do things willingly and freely.

         Here is when we know we still are slaves to the law: when we zealously keep a record of wrongs and constantly point them out. This is a record we keep against ourselves and against others. One way we keep a record against ourselves is in how kind we our to ourselves. Often, many of us our not kind to ourselves. We get on ourselves examining every minute detail of conversation we had with someone afraid we said or did the wrong thing. Even if it has been weeks since we had that conversation. We get on ourselves about our looks, our weight, our work, our ability to “be busy.” That is one thing, our culture definitely wants us to feel guilty if we find ourselves with a moment of rest with nothing to do. This is a living according to the law. And the law has become our taskmaster. But keeping a record of wrongs goes far beyond ourselves and in to how kind we are to our neighbors. This rule follows: if we have made ourselves miserable then we begin to make others feel it to. I hear this frequently with how we speak of our siblings in the Spanish congregation we host. Whenever they are brought up, it is to say something bad about them. This is a great eyesore that we must drag them through the mud. If we’re keeping a record of wrongs, we are doing something wrong as Christians. That is not love of neighbor. Instead of being gracious hosts, willing to bear with faults, we take a magnifying glass to more clearly focus on every blemish. We too easily forget that we have no righteousness of our own to claim we are better than others in the first place. When we act according to these instincts, we are still slaves to the law.

Another way we go right back under the machinations of the law, is when we think we must do something to get God to save us. We might think “duh” that we are saved by grace. But, the lure of works-righteousness is attractively painted. This rears its head when we think God saves us because we’ve done all the good things within our power or someone else has done all the good things in their power. But again, this is a thought according to the law. A “good person” is very subjective thing. Like how good do you have to be to be considered good? Who gets to draw that line? What even is a good person? Thing is, God does not leave it up to us to decide if we are good people. In fact, God does not save good people. God saves sinful people. The reality is no one is good enough by their own powers. That’s because living up to the law provides us no comfort. The primary use of the law is not as a rulebook, or something that keeps a record of wrongs or rights, but as a mirror. As a mirror, it shows us we are sinners who cannot save ourselves. And so, it drives us on our knees to Christ, our Lord and Savior. He who saves his people from their sins.

         Jesus was “born of a woman, under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law.” When a person is saved, it is not because of any good works (even to the tiniest degree) they have done to earn God’s favor. But simply because God is compassionate. In Christ God takes us up and away from all the laws we set up for ourselves. For Christ, in being born under the law, has done everything required by the law (Luke 2:39) in our stead. God turns us from slaves into his children. As children of God, who “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts” (Gal. 4:6) we no longer operate under the law. Does this mean we have a license to do whatever we want? No. We still have the old creature living within us that needs to be curtailed. The Law will curb its actions. But in baptism, insofar as we are born from above, the old creature in us is drowned, and the new creature in us is raised. And this new creature has a different relationship to the Law like the Ten Commandments. It does all the Ten Commandments and more, but freely. Loving God and loving our neighbor without compulsion, and spontaneously. Without even needing to be told, our new selves have already done them and more. For as God’s newly freed people in all that we say and do we “praise the name of the LORD” (Ps. 148:13). This is because when God brings us out of the law, he does it by forgiving you your sins. Christ was born for this: to forgive you all your sins. You no longer need you keep a record of wrongs, of yours or other people. Because God in Jesus no longer keeps a record of your wrongs. And now that you have been forgiven, you freely serve and love the neighbor and God. All thanks be to God who was born of a woman under the law in order to redeem his people under the law. God has justified you by grace, through faith, for the sake of Christ, apart from works. Praise the Lord. Merry Christmas.

[andherhands]

rhetorics!! its nearly 1 o clock!!!! ok!!

merism: when you dont say what your talking about, but instead name all of its parts. its unnecessary and i love it. its words for the sake of words. wave after wave of invention filled with noun after noun signifying nothing. it do be in the rite of marriage tho.

they're like "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health" they mean always. they should say always. im sure there's a loophole in that that someone might find. what if you're mentally sick but physically healthy? do you not love your wife? is sickness definitive?? does sickness cancel out health??? answer me, christians!! damn it.

examples :)

-in the song "bless them all" they really summed it up in the first two lines and yet they use merisms to drive their point home. "bless them all, bless them all, the long and the short and the tall" all the sergants and bleeding people blah blah. of course, humanity is horrid, so the original lyrics were "fuck them all" but that is neither here nor there

-cole porter said he loved her night and day. now, to us that is sweet. aw, we croon, he loves her so much!! even at Night!! alas, at twilight the hatred begins until the sun comes back. or so we assume. people say "ladies and gentlemen" assuming that to be all. what about agender people? those who Know Better? very vague. and sad. though, if the authority during purge explains that "all ladies and gentlemen will be prosecuted if their crime is towards the government" then i think we found our premise for the purge 5.

-ive explained marriage, but what is modern marriage without the restraining order. these mirror the marriage's merisms with lines like: "prohibited from communicating, either personally or through other persons, by telephone, writing or any other means." "by any other means" is either very redundant or bait. merisms sometimes have loopholes. lawyers have it down. they're favourite phrase is "including but not limited to" (which is not a merism, more of a safe merism package) to get them out of the utterly unnecessary trouble that an utterly unnecessary merism gets them into in the first place.

do you get it? i feel like you get it. i feel like you got it well before i started the examples. in fact, i feel like you already knew what merisms were. if you're annoyed by my lack of capital letters, do not attempt to contact me personally or through other persons, by telephone, writing or any other means. thank you.

ps. a "blazon" (google it nerds) is basically a merism too far and its the bane of my existence. fuckboys really be out here describing peoples' nail beds

[ianspirations]

Querida Amazonia - A Summary

Pope Francis summarizes the discussions of the synod into 4 dreams which I think are a brilliant way of portraying the situation as well as the vision for the Amazonian region in particular and for the world in general. He says clearly that he has wilfully refrained from quoting the final document of the Synod because he desires that “everyone read it in full” (QA 3).

“The Amazon region” in the words of the Pope, “is a multinational and interconnected whole, a great biome shared by nine countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela and the territory of French Guiana” (QA 5). Although this is a directed exhortation, the Pope chooses to open it up for the whole world since “the Church’s concern for the problems of this area obliges us to discuss, however briefly, a number of other important issues that can assist other areas of our world in confronting their own challenges” (QA 5).

Here I wish to quote the first part of paragraph 6 because it is so powerful in its message, rich in meaning and clear in its instruction. The Pope writes, “Everything that the Church has to offer must become incarnate in a distinctive way in each part of the world, so that the Bride of Christ can take on a variety of faces that better manifest the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace. Preaching must become incarnate, spirituality must become incarnate, ecclesial structures must become incarnate” (QA 6)

The Four Dreams

I.                    A Social Dream: I dream of an Amazon region that fights for the rights of the poor, the original peoples and the least of our brothers and sisters, where their voices can be heard and their dignity advanced. (QA 7)

The aim of this dream is to bring about a situation wherein every person can enjoy ‘good living.’ This consists in making arduous efforts on behalf of the poor. The Amazon is facing an ‘ecological disaster’ but it is not enough to tackle the ecological issue leaving aside the extremely versatile social situation. The Pope quoting Laudato Si (LS) #49 says, “a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

The Amazonian region holds massive interest for colonizers; these are not seeking to conquer the place as the colonizers of old but desire to control the land in a new way chiefly through timber and mining industries. This wanton greed has expelled and marginalized the indigenous peoples, the river people and those of African descent who inhabited these parts. What resulted from this fiasco was enslavement, subjection, poverty, xenophobia, sexual exploitation and human trafficking (QA 10).

All those national and international business that have contributed to turning the Amazon into a living hell for the people are guilty of “injustice and crime” (QA 14). The Pope humbly exhorts, “we cannot allow globalization to become ‘a new version of colonialism’” (QA 14).

“We need to feel outrage, as Moses did (cf. Ex 11:8), as Jesus did (cf. Mk 3:5), as God does in the face of injustice (cf. Am 2:4-8; 5:7-12; Ps 106:40)” (QA 15). Colonialism has not ended; it has merely been changed, disguised and concealed (QA 16). In order to combat this grave evil we have to “overcome the colonizing mentalities and build networks of solidarity and development” (QA 17). The Pope suggests that alternatives be sought for sustainable herding and agriculture, discovering sources of energy that don’t pollute and adopting “dignified means of employment that do not entail the destruction of the natural environment and of cultures” (QA 17).

The Church has and continues to play a vital role in defending the rights of the indigenous peoples (QA 18-19). However, the members of the Church like many others, sadly “have been a part of networks of corruption, at times to the point of agreeing to keep silent in exchange for economic assistance for ecclesial works” (QA 25).

The Pope dreams that “the Amazon region…be a place of social dialogue, especially between the various original peoples, for the sake of developing forms of fellowship and joint struggle” (QA 26). “Dialogue must not only favour the preferential option on behalf of the poor, the marginalized and the excluded, but also respect them as having a leading role to play” (QA 27). The Pope insists that all ‘others,’ that is, those without a direct interest in the issue, ought to be treated as ‘others’ and the opinions and ideas also treated as such so as to avoid the possibility of any concrete decision or plan being ‘a plan drawn up by the few for the few.’

II.                  A Cultural Dream: I dream of an Amazon region that can preserve its distinctive cultural riches, where the beauty of our humanity shines forth in so many varied ways. (QA 7)

The fundamental way in which the Amazon can maintain and enhance its rich cultural heritage is through education. The very purpose of education is “to cultivate without uprooting, to foster growth without weakening identity, to be supportive without being invasive” (QA 28). Since the Amazon region is host to many peoples and nationalities, besides over 110 different kinds of indigenous peoples, the treasure trove that is their culture is at a serious risk. First and foremost, they face the threat of ‘postmodern colonization’ and secondly, the classification as ‘uncivilized savages’ who ought to be ‘civilized’ by means of Western education (QA 29).

In the pre-colonial period, the majority of people lived on the shores of the rivers and lakes. Colonizers claimed these prime lands and drove the indigenous peoples inwards to the forests. Today, the desertification of inlands has forced many people to the ‘outskirts and sidewalks of the cities.’ “There they usually lack the points of reference and the cultural roots that provided them with an identity and a sense of dignity, and they swell the ranks of the outcast. This disrupts the cultural transmission of a wisdom that had been passed down for centuries from generation to generation” (QA 30).

Every human group has its distinctive lifestyle and worldview. “Fishers are not the same as hunters, and the gatherers of the interior are not the same as those who cultivate the flood lands… In each land and its features, God manifests himself and reflects something of his inexhaustible beauty. Each distinct group, then, in a vital synthesis with its surroundings, develops its own form of wisdom.” (QA 32). The ‘consumerist vision of human beings’ steamrolls over all cultural distinctions and unique characteristics thereby blurring out and “diminishing the immense variety which is the heritage of all humanity” (QA 33 quoting Laudato Si 144). This has a particularly devastating effect on young people because it causes them to lose touch with their cultural heritage and roots. In order to prevent this problem, the Pope points out the “need to care lovingly for our roots, since they are ‘a fixed point from which we can grow and meet new challenges’” (QA 33). For all Christians, in addition to their cultural roots, there is a need to additionally take charge of one’s faith roots which includes “the history of the people of Israel and the Church up to our own day. Knowledge of them can bring joy and, above all, a hope capable of inspiring noble and courageous actions” (QA 33).

The Pope appreciates all those who have stemmed the threat of losing out on cultural heritage by “writing down their stories and describing the meaning of their customs. In this way, they themselves can explicity acknowledge that they possess something more than an ethnic identity and that they are bearers of precious personal, family and collective memories” (QA 35).

Every culture has its own set of drawbacks. Western cultures dark side of consumerism, individualism, discrimination, inequality and many others are easily noticed by all. Similarly, Amazonian cultures also have their dark side. The Pope suggests that all of us bring our cultures to “the common table, a place of conversation and of shared hopes. In this way our differences, which could seem like a banner or a wall, can become a bridge. Identity and dialogue are not enemies. Our own cultural identity is strengthened and enriched as a result of dialogue with those unlike ourselves” (QA 37). If a culture closes up on itself it becomes “inward-looking and tries to perpetuate obsolete ways of living by rejecting any exchange or debate with regard to the truth about man” (QA 37). The responsibility of protecting, encouraging and nurturing cultures like with each of us. If we are not open to the idea of diverse cultures, how do we expect the people of the interiors to be?

The Pope points out how the globalized economy surreptitiously destroys our human, social and cultural riches. The invasive nature of mass communication drastically reduces the scope for cultural expression and alienates people from their native cultural contexts by introducing them into a digital culture that cares little for authentic cultural expression. For this reason it is absolute vital that cultures and their people be respected, and that they find a definition of ‘good life’ for themselves within the ‘world of symbols and customs’ proper to them rather than following an external definition with accompanying regulations for implantation and ideas for enhancement (QA 40).

III.                Ecological Dream: I dream of an Amazon region that can jealously preserve its overwhelming natural beauty and the superabundant life teeming in its rivers and forests. (QA 7)

The Amazonian culture is so closely and intimately connected with nature that “daily existence is always cosmic” (QA 41). While liberating people from various forms of bondage that entrap them is a way of caring for the environment and defending it, what is of greater importance is “helping the human heart to be open with trust to the God who not only has created all that exists, but has also given us himself in Jesus Christ. The Lord, who is the first to care for us, teaches us to care for our brothers and sisters and the environment which he daily gives us. This is the first ecology that we need” (QA 41). An ecology of nature has to coexist with a human and/or social ecology. The two are interdependent on nearly every level. This belief stems from the conviction that ‘everything is connected.’ (QA 41)

Care for people and care for the ecosystem cannot be separated. An abuse of nature amounts to an ‘abuse of our ancestors, of our brothers and sisters, of the creation and the Creator.’ The harm we do is not limited to the here and now but puts the future in serious jeopardy. Quoting from the Instrumentum Laboris of the Synod, “the land has blood, and it is bleeding; the multinationals have cut the veins of our mother Earth” (QA 42).

The Amazon is a land of water. “The rivers and streams are like veins and water determines every form of life” (QA 43). Water does not divide people by giving them liquid boundaries but rather unites them (QA 45).

The equilibrium of the planet depends in a big way on the health of the Amazon. A huge number of living beings and various climatic elements rely on the Amazon for their existence. The Amazon is a natural filter of Carbon Dioxide, it’s rich forest cover is not only home to numerous species but also contains “resources that could prove essential for curing diseases” (QA 48); the various products like fish and fruits enable humanity to sustain themselves.

When one considers environmental damage or destruction one usually evaluates it in terms of visible extinction but this is not the  correct way of doing this. “The good functioning of ecosystems also requires fungi, algae, worms, insects, reptiles and an innumerable variety of microorganisms” (LS 34). Unfortunately, their impact as well as the damage they incur in the name of ‘development’ is often and sadly, overlooked.

The Pope appreciates the commitment of international agencies and local bureaucracies who “draw public attention to these issues and offer critical cooperation, employing legitimate means of pressure, to ensure that eac government carries out its proper and inalienable responsibility to preserve its country’s environment and natural resources, without capitulating to spurious local and international interests” (LS 38).

The economically invested parties are never satisfied with the profits they make and are constantly on the search for new and innovative means to increase their balances. The Pope suggests that the whole world come together and ensure that there are some sort of clear boundaries that are put in place to protect ecosystems and that do not allow the wanton destruction of our common home in the name of development or profit. (QA 52) Thousands of species have already had the existence cut short due to a variety of reasons but mostly due to human interference. The Pope says it beautifully, “Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right” (QA 54) The Pope concludes that the Amazon region is a “theological locus, a space where God himself reveals himself and summons his sons and daughters” (QA 57).

In order to improve the situation and prevent further destruction, education has a massive role. “A sound and sustainable ecology, one capable of bringing about change, will not develop unless people are changed, unless they are encouraged to opt for another style of life, one less greedy and more serene, more respectful and less anxious, more fraternal” (QA 58).

IV.                An Ecclesial Dream: I dream of Christian communities capable of generous commitment, incarnate in the Amazon region, and giving the Church new faces with Amazonian features. (QA 7)

The Pope is very clear in his stating that all Christian interventions ought to be focused and centred on Christ. All that we do must in some way or another be an opportunity to incarnate the Gospel (QA 64-65). He is very strong in emphasizing that even our work of social upliftment and liberation ought to involve inviting the poor and abandoned to a friendship with the Lord (QA 63).

In order to preach the Gospel effectively, the Church must take on the identity and reality of the people to whom she desires to reach out. The Church brings to the dialogue of inculturation her own rich heritage of Christian wisdom and experience that has been handed down through the centuries (QA 66). Pope Saint John Paul II put it very beautifully when he addressed the Indigenous peoples of the American Continent (12 October 1992), “a faith that does not become culture is a faith not fully accepted, not fully reflected upon, not fully lived” (as quoted in QA 67). Thus the Church must undertake the double action of giving the Gospel and incarnating it in the culture while at the same time receiving from that culture ‘new aspects of revelation’ (QA 68).

For the Church to achieve a better inculturation in the Amazon, she must “listen to its ancestral wisdom, listen once more to the voice of its elders, recognize the values present in the way of life of the original communities, and recover the rich stories of its peoples” (QA 70). For the indigenous people the ‘good life’ is expressed in “personal, familial, communal and cosmic harmony…in a communitarian approach to existence, the ability to find joy and fulfilment in an austere and simple life, and a responsible care of nature that preserves resources for future generations” (QA 71). The Pope wants the Church assist the people in the process of ‘cultural retrieval,’ educate them, especially the urban population, against the dangers of consumerism and isolation and help urban communities to be missionary not only to those among them but to all the poor, marginalized and migrants (QA 72). For the Pope, these are all forms of inculturation and they elevate and fulfil ((QA 72-73).

Indigenous mysticism stresses “the interconnection and interdependence of the whole of creation;” it is a “mysticism of gratuitousness that loves life as a gift;” it is ultimately a “mysticism of a sacred wonder before nature and all its forms of life” (QA 73). For us Christians, it is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who connects all things and is present in and through them (QA 74).

Poverty is one of the defining features of the Amazon region. The Gospel shows a clear connection between evangelization and human advancement. Hence, all Christian communities ought to work for the justice of God’s kingdom that can be achieved through work for the advancement of those who are on the peripheries. The Church’s pastors have to be trained in this regard (QA 75). “In this way, we will reveal the true beauty of the Gospel, which fully humanizes, integrally dignifies persons and peoples, and brings fulfilment to every heart and the whole of life” (QA 76).

When this occurs we can look forward to “witnesses of holiness with an Amazonian face, not imitations of models imported from other places” (QA 77). The holiness of the Amazon will be “born of encounter and engagement, contemplation and service, receptive solitude and life in community, cheerful sobriety and the struggle for justice” (QA 77). This process has been initiated many years ago and the people can be considered to be ‘initially evangelized’ (QA 78).

The Pope opines that there is a possibility of adopting an indigenous symbol without it being considered idolatry. Local myths need not be discarded but possess the ability of appealing to people’s minds and becoming carriers of Christian truth. “A missionary of souls will try to discover the legitimate needs and concerns that seek an outlet in at times imperfect, partial or mistaken religious expressions, and will attempt to respond to them with an inculturated spirituality” (QA 79).

The process of inculturation can be initiated in a very powerful way through the sacraments, “since they unite the divine and the cosmic, grace and creation” (QA 81). The sacraments are unique in as much as they take up creation to God in the same instance as they bring out the Divine manifested in creation. The Sacraments communicate the mercy and healing of God and consequently ought never to be held from anyone who desires to receive them (QA 84). The Church needs to find ways and means of making the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist frequent and easily accessible even in the remotest and most isolated communities (QA 86). The role and concept of the priest requires to be revised in keeping with the situation of the place. The Pope defines a priest not as one who possesses power either of the material or spiritual kind but as one who is tasked with incarnating Christ in and through the celebration of the Eucharist and absolving people of their sins (QA 87-88).

The Pope envisions that Christian communities be full of life. This fullness of life can come about only if the community is first united. The Eucharist is a sacrament that “signifies and realizes the Church’s unity” (QA 91). Priests must foster communion in their Churches and not simply aim at achieving unity. Communion can be achieved when the diversity and variety of gifts and charisms that the Spirit pours out on the faithful is properly channelized and expressed. Priests alone, though they have a vital role, are not the only ones responsible and capable of this enormous task; permanent deacons, religious women and lay persons have their unique contributions to make. The Church has to develop an “ecclesial culture that is distinctly lay” (QA 94).

The Pope concludes this dream by mentioning the unforgettable and irreplaceable contribution made by women in the Amazon region. For decades the faith has been kept alive even without a priest thanks to women who “undoubtedly called and prompted by the Holy Spirit, baptized, catechized, prayed and acted as missionaries” (QA 99). The Pope warns the faithful against a reductionist mentality which believes that women can truly be granted a greater status and participation in the Church only if they are ordained priests. He warns that such thinking will serve no other purpose except to “clericalize women, diminish the great value of what they have already accomplished, and subtly make their indispensable contribution less effective” (QA 100). God in His infinite wisdom sought to reveal His power and love through two human faces: “the face of his divine Son made man and the face of a creature, a woman, Mary. Women make their contribution to the Church in a way that is properly theirs, by making present the tender strength of Mary, the Mother” (QA 101). Leaving aside the functional aspect of both genders, the Pope stresses the indispensability of women by stating that without them and their contribution “the Church breaks down” (QA 101). The history of many Amazonian communities is testament to this fact.  

[spiritualdirections]

St. John Paul II: Hell is the State of Those who Reject God

At the General Audience of Wednesday, 28 July 1999, Pope St. John Paul II reflected on hell as the definitive rejection of God. In his catechesis, the Pope said that care should be taken to interpret correctly the images of hell in Sacred Scripture, and explained that “hell is the ultimate consequence of sin itself... Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy”.

God is the infinitely good and merciful Father. But man, called to respond to him freely, can unfortunately choose to reject his love and forgiveness once and for all, thus separating himself for ever from joyful communion with him. It is precisely this tragic situation that Christian doctrine explains when it speaks of eternal damnation or hell. It is not a punishment imposed externally by God, but a development of premises already set by people in this life. The very dimension of unhappiness which this obscure condition brings can in a certain way be sensed in the light of some of the terrible experiences we have suffered which, as is commonly said, make life “hell”. In a theological sense however, hell is something else: it is the ultimate consequence of sin itself, which turns against the person who committed it. It is the state of those who definitively reject the Father's mercy, even at the last moment of their life.

Hell is a state of eternal damnation 

In the Old Testament the condition of the dead had not yet been fully disclosed by Revelation. Moreover it was thought that the dead were amassed in Sheol, a land of darkness (cf. Ez. 28:8; 31:14; Jb. 10:21f.; 38:17; Ps 30:10; 88:7, 13), a pit from which one cannot re-ascend (cf. Jb. 7:9), a place in which it is impossible to praise God (cf. Is 38:18; Ps 6:6).

  The New Testament sheds new light on the condition of the dead, proclaiming above all that Christ by his Resurrection conquered death and extended his liberating power to the kingdom of the dead. Redemption nevertheless remains an offer of salvation which it is up to people to accept freely. This is why they will all be judged “by what they have done” (Rv 20:13). Using images, the New Testament presents the place destined for evildoers as a fiery furnace, where people will “weep and gnash their teeth” (Mt 13:42; cf. 25:30, 41), or like Gehenna with its “unquenchable fire” (Mk 9:43). All this is narrated in the parable of the rich man, which explains that hell is a place of eternal suffering, with no possibility of return, nor of the alleviation of pain (cf. Lk. 16:19-31). The Book of Revelation also figuratively portrays in a “pool of fire” those who exclude themselves from the book of life, thus meeting with a “second death” (Rv. 20:13f.). Whoever continues to be closed to the Gospel is therefore preparing for 'eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Th 1:9).

  The images of hell that Sacred Scripture presents to us must be correctly interpreted. They show the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God. Rather* than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life andjoy. This is how the Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the truths of faith on this subject: “To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him forever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called 'hell'“ (n. 1033). “Eternal damnation”, therefore, is not attributed to God's initiative, because in his merciful love he can only desire the salvation of the beings he created. In reality, it is the creature who closes himself to his love. Damnation consists precisely in definitive separation from God, freely chosen by the human person and confirmed with death that seals his choice for ever. God's judgement ratifies this state.

We are saved from going to hell by Jesus who conquered Satan

Christian faith teaches that in taking the risk of saying “yes” or “no”, which marks the human creature's freedom, some have already said no. They are the spiritual creatures that rebelled against God's love and are called demons. What happened to them is a warning to us: it is a continuous call to avoid the tragedy which leads to sin and to conform our life to that of Jesus who lived his life with a “yes” to God.

   Eternal damnation remains a real possibility, but we are not granted, without special divine revelation, the knowledge of whether or which human beings are effectively involved in it. The thought of hell — and even less the improper use of biblical images — must not create anxiety or despair, but is a necessary and healthy reminder of freedom within the proclamation that the risen Jesus has conquered Satan, giving us the, Spirit of God who makes us cry “Abba, Father!” (Rm. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). This prospect, rich in hope, prevails in Christian proclamation. It is effectively reflected in the liturgical tradition of the Church, as the words of the Roman Canon attest: “Father, accept this offering from your whole family ... save us from final damnation, and count us among those you have chosen”.

[firethatgrewsolow]

Swiss Time - Chapter Twenty-One

**Thanks for reading and hope you like it! The clock is closing in ... <3 PS - expect fluff :-)**

We’re off, Nattie. I suppose it’s a good thing that you didn’t want to come, considering you were near comatose when I came downstairs to say goodbye. There’s water and aspirin on your nightstand and orange juice in the refrigerator, courtesy of Christian. I would have let you suffer.

Natalie shook her head at the evil smiley face her aunt had drawn. Christ, she was definitely suffering and pretty certain that at some point her head was going to explode. She crawled out of bed and snatched up the aspirin, knocking them back with the lukewarm water. Grimacing, she returned to her nest, pulling up the covers around her as she continued to read.

We likely won’t be back for close to a week, so please take care of Duchess. Change her water every day, and make sure to wash the bowl. Her food is in the pantry, along with her brush and some of her toys. Her favorite is the little pink mouse. Make sure it’s filled with catnip at all times. And don’t forget her music. She enjoys classical, but only in the morning. In the evening, she prefers jazz.

Nat rolled her eyes. The cat got better treatment than she and Christian did. Her annoyance faded away as she heard a faint mewl next to her, and she bent over, smiling as Duchess sprang onto the bed. Running her fingers through the kitten’s soft gray fur, she turned her attention back to the note.

You should be set in terms of groceries as I had extra delivered before the party, but feel free to order more or dine at the hotel. Just charge it to Christian.

Natalie’s stomach grumbled. A good sign in the midst of the worst hangover she’d ever had. At least she could still eat. The aspirin was beginning to work, as well. Maybe she’d actually live through the day.

Okay, that covers it. You have our hotel information should you need to contact us. Have a wonderful, relaxing week, darling. Oh, and one more thing. Apparently, you spoke to Robert on the phone last night. It was a rather animated conversation. At least, what I caught of it, which unfortunately was only about half.

Nat stilled. She’d spoken to Robert? Oh, shit. She replayed the evening, what she could remember of it, racking her brain for a clue about the conversation. Did I call him? Or did he call me? Surely she’d not given in and phoned him. Oh, God. She breathed a sigh of relief as she read the next line.

In case you’re wondering, he called you. Anyway, after a rather interesting exchange, you told him to ring you at 3:00 sharp. Today. Given your state last night, I thought I’d remind you. Love to you, sweet. See you when we return.

Natalie’s eyes darted to the clock, her heart pounding. 2:58 … 2:59 … 3:00 She warily shifted her gaze to the phone on her bedside table, its silence a blaring warning of yet another broken promise. Still, she waited, hopeful. One minute ticked by, then a second, and then a third. By the fourth, the familiar pang of disappointment washed over her. By the fifth, she gave up, her eyes welling. What did you expect? He never comes through. She stood, squaring her shoulders as Duchess scampered under the bed. Fuck him. Get on with the day.

She was due to meet a group of friends at the Christmas market later that evening, but her desire to go had been vanquished. She padded to the french doors that led to the patio and pushed them open, taking in the glorious view. Even with a chill in the air, it never failed to uplift her, the sublime beauty of the nature around her like a tonic that could cure all ails. Except today. Stretching, she determined she needed another tonic - hair of the dog and a soak in the hot tub.

Natalie headed to the bathroom, shedding her clothes along the way. She brushed her teeth and pulled up her hair, splashing cold water on her face to wash away the night. Satisfied with what peered back at her, she grabbed a towel and made her way toward the porch, freezing mid-stride. She glanced toward the ceiling, certain that she’d heard something upstairs. Or someone. Wrapping the towel tightly around her, she tiptoed to the landing, tilting her head. She waited a beat, and then another. Silence. Finally convinced all was well, she whirled around, slamming into what felt like a wall. She shrieked as she realized it was human.

“Whoa! It’s just me ...” Robert trailed off as her towel hit the floor, his eyes sailing up and down her completely naked form. He barely registered her scowl and the swift smack of his shoulder as she scrambled for the wrap.

“Jesus Christ! You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing here?”

“Well, hello to you, too, Nat.”

“How the hell did you get in?”

Robert gestured to the french doors that were wide open. “Nobody answered upstairs so I came around back. It was … open.” His eyes traced her frame as his mouth curled up. “Do you always traipse around so scantily clad? Aren’t you worried about your neighbors?”

“Apparently, I need to be more worried about random English miscreants. And I was about to get into the hot tub.”  Nat cocked her head. “You didn’t answer my question, by the way. What are you doing here?”

Robert chuckled. “What do you mean, what am I doing here? I told you I was coming. You didn’t really think a simple phone call would do, did you? Not after the conversation we had.” Natalie opened her mouth, only to close it, and Robert narrowed his eyes. “Wait. You do remember last night, right? Our conversation? The things you were saying?” His voice cracked on the last syllable.

“It’s, um, kind of hazy.”

“Are you bloody serious? Fucking hell, woman.”

Her eyes widened. “What all did I say?”

Robert barked a laugh, running a hand through his hair. “You likely wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”

“Was it bad?”

He expelled a breath. “No, I’d say it was rather good.” Robert nibbled his lip as she stared at him, bewildered. “Nevermind. Christ. Anyway, it seems that I’m here, I suppose unexpectedly. I can’t stomach another two hours on the train, and I’m bloody well starving so I’ll have to sort it out tomorrow. If that’s alright with you.”

The adrenaline from her initial fear had given way to that of elation. He’d come to see her. He was there in the flesh, just for her. But what was it she’d said to make him drop everything and come running? Flashes of the previous night flickered through her head as if his physical presence was jarring them, conjuring them. There had been the phone call, that she could recollect … she’d chastised him for not knowing about the fire … then she’d teased him about the article, losing her virginity, she’d joked, and then … Oh, my God. It all flooded back at once, a dam breaking in her mind. Jesus Christ. What had she been thinking talking like that? No wonder he got his ass on a plane. She fought the crimson burn that crept across her cheeks. It was true, though, every single word.

“Are you alright? I can, ah, make arrangements at the hotel if you-”

“No, no, you can stay here. Susan and Christian are in Vienna for a week. It would be nice to have company.” Nat adjusted the towel, the cool air from the porch a blessing for her tingling skin. “Maybe we could go into town for the Christmas market later.”

“I did see a big ferris wheel on the way up here.”

“It’s really pretty at night with all the colored lights. And there’s ice skating and games. It’ll be fun.”

“I’d like that.” Robert closed the gap between them, tucking a loose tendril behind her ear. “I am so happy to see you. I’ve missed you.”

Her breathing hitched as he cupped her chin. And just like that, she was lost. It was as if no time had passed. His touch riveted her, cloaking her in his magic spell. “I’ve missed you, too.”

Robert grazed her cheek with his thumb. “You’re not upset that I came, are you?”

“I hoped you would,” Nat replied, a devilish smile blooming on her face. “Why do you think I said all those things?”

His mouth fell open. “You little ... tart.” She squealed as he pounced, throwing her over his shoulder and swatting her backside. “You’re a dirty little girl. And do you know what happens to dirty little girls?”

Natalie giggled as he tossed her onto the bed, dropping over her. “Bad things?”

Robert shook his head, his eyes gliding along the line of her throat. “No. Very bad things.” He nipped her chin. “Extremely bad, as a matter of fact.” He slid his lips across hers, bound for her ear. “But not until I have a bit of snap and a look at the fair. We English take Christmas very seriously.”

*          *          *

A sea of hats and heavy wool coats littered the ice, swirling around them with wild abandon. As Robert gently tugged her through the throng, Nat’s knees buckled, and she reached for his shoulders, her grin matching his as he caught her.

“Christ, Natalie, you’re a resident of Switzerland, and you can’t ice skate?”

Nat wrinkled her nose. “You’ve got candy apple in your teeth.”

“So do you,” the singer shot back, his brow lifting.

“At least I have all mine.”

“Ouch.” Robert snickered. “I suppose one can’t be perfect. But I’m not far off.” Natalie yelped, gripping him tighter as he took a wide stride backwards, parting the pool of revelers behind him. “You need a proper lesson.”

Nat snuggled into the warmth of his chest, so solid and strong. She knew very well how to maneuver on the ice. In fact, she was a crack skater and loved it. But she loved his arms wrapped around her even more. “Just keep holding me, and I’ll skate along with you.”

“Is this a ploy to keep me close to you?” Robert asked, narrowing his eyes.

She batted her lashes. “Whyever would you think that?”

“Because you’re very tricky. My tricky little-”

“I know. Minx.” She pecked his dimpled cheek. “I like being your minx.”

Robert slowed to a stop. “And my muse?”

“Your muse? I’ve never been a muse before.”

“Not even your good friend David’s?”

She studied the tip of her boot. “He’s never mentioned it.”

Robert skimmed his fingers under her chin, reclaiming her gaze. “He’s a fool, then.” He could feel her swallow through the thin leather of his glove as he drew closer, his eyes dropping to her lips. “An absolute f-”

“Attention! Attention!”

The boy’s warning rang out too late, and Natalie clung to Robert as the child careened into them, depositing them into a twisted pile on the ice. He sprang up as fast as he’d gone down, muttering an apology before sliding away to wreak havoc elsewhere. She smiled as Robert stood, offering her his hand. “At least I’m not the worst one out here.”

“Something tells me you’re far from the worst.” He looped his arm through hers, guiding her to the side of the rink. “Let’s try an activity a hair less hazardous.”

While Natalie returned their skates, Robert was dispatched to procure tickets for the ferris wheel. A light snow filled the air as the last thread of dusk faded, and the market came alive. Strolling carolers roamed the network of booths, and bawdy laughter emanated from tents and too many helpings of spiked apple cider. The scents of pine and baked delicacies wafted endlessly around the twinkling tinsel-draped trees scattered about. It was one of her favorite things, a wonderful mix of spectacle and domesticity, convivial, but community, too.

“You ready?”

She nodded. “I’ve got to warn you. I don’t love heights.”

He gave her a squeeze. “I’ll protect you, my lady.”

“That doesn’t inspire much confidence.”

With more than a whisper of trepidation, Natalie boarded the car, which creaked mightily as the wheel began to turn. She instinctively grabbed Robert’s hand, her mouth curving as their fingers entwined. “This thing sure looked better from a distance.”

“It does seem to have seen finer days.”

The clamor from the festivities below them receded as they soared higher and higher, until they reached the apex of the circle. The cabin rocked back and forth as the motion suddenly ceased, and Nat’s smile disappeared. “Why did we stop? What’s going on?” She glanced to Robert, unimpressed with his mischievous smirk. “Wait. Did you tell them to? The other riders are not going to be …” The words were lost as she inspected the cars below them, all empty. “You bought all the tickets.”

“That and a healthy, ah, contribution should allow us a bit of privacy.” Robert guided her hand to his lips, caressing the back of it. “And a big view.”

A big view it was. Lights from the villages surrounding them danced in the distance. A bright full moon had peeked out from the clouds, sending silver shimmers across Lake Geneva and illuminating the snow covered peaks that abounded. “My God, I can see forever. It’s so beautiful.”

“Ah, but you put it to shame, Natalia.” Robert slid off her glove, kissing each of her fingers one by one.

He hadn’t used her nickname since his last visit to Montreux, and Natalie savored the intimacy of the moment. He was a hopeless romantic, and by default, had temporarily made her one, too. It was easy to get lost in him, his subtle smile and gentle gaze impossible to resist. So handsome, but there was far more to it than that. He had an aura, an air, a way that connected with her like no one else. She knew better than to let it happen, but that was just it. She’d no control. None whatsoever.

Robert skimmed his lips across her wrist. “You okay?”

Nat blinked, nodding. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“What are you thinking about?”

She took a breath, hesitating. That I’m in love with you. And I’m scared to death. “Nothing much.”

Robert’s brow wrinkled. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

The car lurched forward, hurdling them back against the seat. And her senses back to her. She cleared her throat, summoning a smile. “I, um, thought I saw my house, that’s all.”

“Where? Point to it.”

“I was wrong. Wrong direction.” She shrugged, slipping her glove back on. “We should probably get back. I don’t want to leave Duchess alone too long.”

“Who’s Duchess?”

“Our new kitten. I would have introduced you to her, but she gets nervous around people she doesn’t know. She’s probably still under one of the beds.”

“I bet I can coax her out. I’ve a way with the ladies, you know,” Robert added with a wink.

Natalie snorted. “Highly doubtful.”

“Shall we make a formal wager?”

Her gaze snapped to his. “What are the stakes?”

Robert pursed his lips. “If I win, I get to kiss you.”

“That’s it? No conditions?”

“Just one.” A wicked grin creased Robert’s face. “I get to do it anywhere I want.”

Natalie’s heart skipped a beat as sultry heat exploded in her tummy, slowly drifting lower. The things he could do to her with only words, the need he could summon with a simple phrase. It was nearly debilitating. She finally found her voice. “And if you lose?”

His dimple deepened. “Oh, darlin’, I’m not going to lose.”

[kabane52]

The Kingdom of the Keys

The theology of Revelation 20:4-6 is very rich. The angel who descends with the key is the flipside and reverse of the star fallen from heaven who unlocks the pit in Revelation 9. The star fallen from heaven is clearly the devil, just cast out of the heavenly council because of the work of Jesus. The text echoes Isaiah 14 which is about the ruler of spiritual Babylon (that it is a symbol is clear from its contrast with messianic Zion and the chiastic reversal of Isaiah 53- the one who exalts himself above the stars and is cast down to Sheol vs the one who willingly embraced Sheol to be highly exalted and lifted up) and comes from Genesis 3. The serpent- nachash, bright-one (thus Son of the Dawn- Leviathan has “eyes like the dawn”) is told that he will eat dust. This isn’t about snakes not having legs. Dust=death. Adam will return to dust. Ps. 82 addressing the divine council actually echoes the false promise of the devil. “You shall not die, but will be as gods knowing good and evil” is turned back on the heads of the rebels on the council- “I said, you are gods, every one of you, nevertheless as Adam you shall die and fall as any prince.”

So the opener of the pit and the release of the devils in Revelation 9 is the backdrop to Revelation 20. The pit is Sheol/Hades. This is key, because the language- key, bound, loosed- comes from Matthew 16, which echoes Isaiah 22 (the key of David which shuts so that none shall open) which is of course there in Revelation 3 where Jesus has the key of David. And then in Revelation 21 the twelve angels are stationed at the twelve gates which are opened so that none shall shut. The twelve angels are the guardians with the key- linking them with the Apostles and thus with the commission of Matthew 16 and 18. The guardians are identified as angels because of the theology of the book wherein the heavenly council is reconstituted to include human lords being crowned to replace the archangelic lords who were keeping the seats warm. The ministers of the Church are particular instantiations of this exalted status in the heavenly council as we can see in the Jerusalem Council and the early Synodality of the Churches. The letters of Jesus are addressed to the angels of the seven churches signified by lampstands. The lampstand is the symbolic root for the use of the term “overseer” or “bishop”, as it overlooks the people of Israel and manifests the divine light to them.

So the “angel” with the great chain who binds the devil for the millennium signifies the Church to whom are given the keys of the Kingdom. The Lord says concerning the church int he context of giving these keys: “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Thus the presence of the “pit” which is Hades into which the Devil is cast by the Church through the key(s) makes sense in view of its rootedness in Matthew 16. The seed of the woman crushes the serpent into the dust, from the divine council to the prison of Hades, as we read in Isaiah 14 when the son of the Dawn descends unwillingly into Sheol where the Rephaim-giants rise up to greet him. Jesus accomplishes this work in the crucifixion and resurrection and it is implemented in the reign of the Holy Spirit through the Church as well. Jesus has the key of David and the key of death and Hades, as is said in Revelation 2-3. Through Jesus this key is given to the Church.

“Gates” are a defensive structure. How is the devil bound? By the war of the church in righteousness and prayer. We know this through the four horsemen- all of them, following Zechariah 1 and 6, are Christ riding the Church according to different aspects. The tribal colors identify the tribe with which each horseman is identified and this is verified strikingly in the fact that in Revelation 7, the list of the twelve tribes, divided into four sets of three, finds the four tribes independently identified by the aforementioned method in the middle of each set of three. The four horsemen are the people of God. In Zechariah they are identified with the “four winds of heaven” which are also a symbol of the people of God- the Spirit-Wind of the Divine Presence has gone to dwell with the exiles as Ezekiel 8-10 says and they are spread out as witnesses to the Gentiles.

The four horsemen are the 144,000 who are the Church. As often in Revelation, John first “hears” a voice and then turns his eyes to “see” what the voice described. John “hears” the sealing of the 144,000, but then “sees” the great multitude from all nations. The 144,000 are the firstfruits Apostolic Church which grows into the church of all nations eschatologically. The first movement of conquest takes place in 30-70. Jerusalem’s Fall in AD 70 after a forty year interlude between the exodus of the resurrection matches the fall of Jericho- both after seven trumpet blasts. But we see the White Horse riding out in Revelation 19 followed by the army of the Saints because the invasion continues. And so this helps illuminate the subtleties of Revelation 20. In the broadest sense, the millennium refers to the entirety of the Church Age after AD 70 to the final cataclysm. The people of God are present and animated by the Spirit the entire time. They are riding outwards in one way or another. The war is a liturgical war. The “key” is to the divine palace. The word for temple and palace in Hebrew are identical, and the Temple of God and the Palace of the Son of David are meant to correspond to each other. Jesus is the incarnate Word with the blood of David’s family, uniting the two. The key of the house of David in Isaiah 22 given to Eliakim and referred to in the Apocalypse is innately liturgical for that reason. Chronicles also refers to the keys to the Holy Temple.

The four horsemen in Zechariah 6 ride from between two bronze mountains to set the Spirit at sabbatical rest in the north- where Babylon is. The two bronze mountains signify Jachin and Boaz, the bronze pillars at the door of the Temple, and the horsemen thus signify the ten water-stands symbolizing the river of life flowing from the Temple- compare Ezekiel 47. Hence Zechariah 14 gives us the same picture from a different perspective. A great battle- and then the river of life flowing out from the Temple-City and converting all nations. The chain which binds Satan in Hades is held by the Church which possesses the keys of the priesthood exercised in proper worship and devotion to God. The assault on the gates of Hades is the war of the gospel to baptize all nations, thus being placed in the pit blocks satan from “deceiving the nations.” But there are times of faithfulness and falling away in the history of the Church, ordered towards the coming to pass of a great triumph of Christianity. In the broadest sense, the millennium is the whole Church Age. In more specific senses, it refers to periods of local or universal faithfulness among the people of God who utilize the key of binding the devil through worship and piety. And in a definite sense it refers to that latter day glory of the church, that era of peace where the reign of Christ in the Holy Spirit prevails, where man’s purpose as image of God is the central story of history, developing and maturing the creation, bringing it to life in taking its material into the living world, coming to understand it and beautify it in art, technology, culture, philosophy, the sciences, and so on. According to Fr. Dumitru Staniloae, it is when this triumph is at its greatest possible point that the purpose of history will be successfully brought to pass and the final chapter leading to the consummation begun.

[chrysaliseuro2019]

Monopoli 2

Next day we started off the day with Alessandro again as we had extended for one more night and had to pay him. He is a very pleasant guy. Still at uni, very smart, laid back, great English and a handsome boy. Obviously also appreciates the finer things in life given his restaurant recommendations which he was pretty passionate about.

Our plan for the day was to head to Polignano a Mare. Post breakfast Liz was feeling tired so wanted to grab another hour’s sleep. Good opportunity for me to check out the cathedral which she had seen the previous night. I also tried on the shoes we had seen the previous day, this time with my orthotics but wrong size. Shame because they were on sale and very reasonably priced. And looked good😥.

The cathedral was very interesting and pretty stunning if you like your grandiose marble columns. And I do. There were also very good paintings and a number of different chapels each of which had a story which was well described in English in the short, paper guide.

The site has been continuously occupied for at least 4000 years with huts built on it in the Bronze Age. A pagan temple was located on the site and in 256AD a Christian church was built in its place so changing religious approach accommodated.

Construction commenced on the original church on this site in 1107 but they did not have wood for roof beams. In 1117 a raft arrived in the harbour carrying a Byzantine icon of the Madonna with child (which really stands out as you wander around the church it is really lovely). Beams from the raft were used to construct the roof of the church. Some of these beams are preserved and can be seen in the appropriately named “Chapel of the Beams”. Wiki describes the events of 1117 as a miracle. Unsure if that is in the biblical or fortuitous sense. Apparently the church also took over 300 years to build. Funds must have been tight. In 1742 the old Romanesque church which was unsafe was demolished and the current baroque church built.

It was now midday and the church was closing with just a few visitors left. I managed to hang on for another 7/8 minutes and was the last to leave. Pretty soon after, Liz called and we headed for Polignano.

Polignano had been recommended both by the Maitre de we liked in Vieste and Alessandro so we were determined to go there. It might even be a loose possibility to spend a night at it if it scrubs up really well. We certainly wondered if we should have headed there and spent one less night in Monopoli. Alessandro said we must visit the Pescaria restaurant which serves various varieties of seafood, in rolls etc. He said it was so successful that they had opened up a second one in Milan. His advice was -just look for the crowds lined up outside and you will know you are there.

Just a short 20 minute drive or so to Polignano. We parked up close to town. Took our bathers as mid thirties but felt like 40 and town right by the sea. Walked past the Roman ruins to get into town and immediately saw a small cove which was the town beach. It was very crowded and really a mousetrap with say 250-300 people on it and many in the water surrounded by cliffs. We weren’t tempted to go in. We did do a “Where’s (the) Wally” photo with me trying to blend into the throng.

We just stood and watched this hubbub for a while. Young macho guys and girls jumping and diving into the water from the surrounding rocks and generally everyone trying to tone up their tans. Noise was pretty loud too. A fun place.

We retreated into town looking for the Pescaria and it was easy to find. A queue outside and in. We had to have lunch and could not go past this place given its local fame. The wait was probably 50 minutes+. Thirty mins to get into the place and order and another 20 to collect it. There were tables and chairs inside and out but it was mayhem and we had seen some benches under trees on the main drag and took our lunch to there. I had a prawn roll which Liz also shared a bit of and she had a slider with prawns. Both excellent and it would be great to be able to get that in Melbourne. The whole experience of queuing, anticipating and the general boisterousness of the place was worth seeing and food good too.

PS - we were amused that waiters came out with trays of food yelling out the number of each order. This right amidst the bedlam of people eating and waiting to be served and conversing (as Italians do - loudly) the old electronic approach where they give you a token which then beeps when food is ready would have been better.

Off for a walk around the old town and as ever in this part of the world a number of narrow streets and picturesque buildings. We dropped into a few shops along the way though no acquisions. Our general feeling - good place to visit for a short while but we pulled the right string with Monopoli. Damned a little with faint praise and definitely worth a visit but wouldn’t stay there.

Now around 4.30 and we headed for home but looking out for a beach. Still very hot. We found one just outside Monopoli again a small, perhaps tiny, cove. We both soon had a swim to cool off. Liz throwing in a relaxed and lazy 200 metres or so of enviably stylish and relaxed freestyle and general floating. Stepping out of the water loose as a goose.

Me, 20 metres of a tad more frenetic doggie paddling after which it was time for a stroll around the nearby cliffs. These were a bit more like those volcanic areas of Victoria by the beach with very sharp rocks which were the result of volcanoes 14 billion years ago.

Any way after 20 minutes or so I returned to find Liz chortling away. An Italian mother with two twins aged about 2 was trying to control these two little tikes who it would be fair to say did not want to be controlled and at age 2 in true Italian style had attitude. Curly black locks they were gorgeous with full moon round faces. Mama was struggling to cope. She was determined to let them stick their toes in the water but not much more as she clearly thought they might drown. This meant she stood in their way if they tried to get too far in ie more than a metre from the sand which was about 6 inches in depth. This though meant that they needed other mischief to create. They would run up and throw sand on their towels which also set mum off. Of course if she ran up and admonished whoever did it the other one would head for the water which meant she had to belt down and guard them and the whole scene repeated itself endlessly with the only constant a frazzled mum and mischievous kids.

It was hilarious and the central culprit of the twins was “Angelo”. We never discovered the other one’s name as mum never used it so he became Angelo 2. All we heard was “Oh Angelo, Angelo”. As a little cameo couple of hours we could not have had much better value. Lovely little beach, great temperature, sandy cove, Angelo and brother in top mischievous form and their behaviour contrasting totally with the little Asian boy who was with Grandma. He was as tranquil as could be and was allowed to go in the water close to the rocks and play and then stood up very calmly on a rock in the sea as grandma changed him ready to leave. Great fun and a minor study in different behaviours plus the gorgeous Angelo twins. Time for us to head home.

Post showers the evening started again at the city square for a quiet drink and people watch and then we looked around for a restaurant in one of the back streets away from the crowd. We had seen a couple on our lost wandering of town. Of course weren’t really sure where they were and could not find one that suited. Either too boisterous or cafe rather than restaurant.

Back we went to the centre of town and then headed in the general direction of one of Alessandro’s recommended pizza places. The one we could not get into a couple of nights earlier (Chine). In truth we didn’t expect to be successful this time either. Well we were lucky. A table outside was free with about a 10 minute wait. No prob. I ducked back to the car which was parked nearby to collect something and by the time I returned Liz was seated. We ordered Napoletana style pizza with olives, anchovies, capers, mozz and some spicy salami. No prob but we then had at least a 45 minute wait. When it rolled up it was worth the wait. Fantastic ingredients, really tasty crunchy crust and something I have never had before - Anchovies served in a tin which we added ourselves to the pizza.

We both agreed that it was arguably the best pizza we had ever eaten. Well done Alessandro again.

It had been yet again a big and varied day.

[pamphletstoinspire]

The meaning of doves in the Bible

Of all the ancient Mediterranean symbols the Christian church adopted, the dove was probably the most frequently repeated in liturgical art, ritual vessels, lamps, catacomb walls, tombs, sarcophagi, and buildings, from the very early days of Christianity. But why?

Almost all Christian artists chose the dove to represent the Holy Spirit. Of course, there are clear, straightforward biblical reasons for this, found both in the Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to the Gospels. For instance, Talmudic commentaries on the book of Genesis, as well as some of the Dead Sea scrolls, affirm the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters (Gen 1:2) “like a dove which hovers over her young without touching [them],” introducing the dove motif at the very beginning of all biblical narrative. Also, virtually everyone is familiar with the part played by the dove in the story of the Flood: a dove brought Noah an olive branch, announcing the abating of the waters and of God’s anger. This narrative led both Jews and Christians to an understanding of the olive branch as a symbol of peace, and of the dove as its herald. In Christian representations of the Noahic cycle, the ark naturally became the symbol of the Church, Noah that of the Christian soul to whom the Christ-Dove brings peace, and the flood a prefiguration of Christian baptism.

Also, one finds doves in the Psalms (Ps. 74) and in Solomon’s Song of Songs. In the latter, the groom compares his bride to a dove (“O, my dove in the clefts of the rock […] let me see your face, let me hear your voice”). Ancient peoples in the Mediterranean already knew doves are monogamous, and form strong bonds as lifelong pairs. In fact, some ancient texts would even claim (inaccurately) that doves put to death any of their kind who commit adultery. The dove, then, would be not only the symbol of peace, but also of purity and fidelity. Some other ancient Mediterranean sources (Cretan, mainly) insisted the dove had no gall bladder, and consequently knew no malice. The souls of the departed in the pre-Hellenic Greek archipelago would sometimes be pictured as doves with human heads.

However, it is in the evangelical accounts of the baptism of Jesus where we find the definitive Christian association of the symbol of the dove and the Holy Spirit. All four Gospels refer to the baptism of Jesus by John at the Jordan River, but whereas Matthew, Mark, and John would say the Spirit descended from Heaven “like a dove” (a formulation very much open to interpretation), Luke would rather say the Spirit “descended on him in bodily form, like a dove” (Lk. 3:22), seemingly taking the “dove metaphor” one step further. Once accepted as the evangelical emblem of the Holy Spirit, the dove would then be placed above Mary’s head, also descending from Heaven, in the moment of the Annunciation in art (and sometimes would even allegorically take the place of the Virgin herself, because of the connections that the Song of Songs makes between the dove and the bride chosen over all other women), as well as in some representations of Pentecost.

By: Daniel Esparza

From: www.pamphletstoinspire.com

[screamscenepodcast]

HAPPY HALLOWE’EN 2018: THE TOP TEN

Another year gone by, Creatures of the Night! So much has changed! But it’s All Hallow’s Eve, and we know that means you’re still looking for the best in spooky movies to chill your bones and entertain your live-in ghosts! And so it is that we are pleased to bring you what our infallible reasoning has determined to be the top ten best horror movies covered so far on the show (1895-1941)! Here’s the write-up: what their deal is, pros and cons, and where to find them! We hope it helps your evening’s entertainment! PS. Keep your eyes peeled: not only is our eighty-third episode going up today, but there’s new music and fiction over on our Patreon!

#10 - Dracula (1931)

While the first true horror film to be made in the United States may seem a bit sedate to viewers used to later renditions of its story, Tod Browning’s classic adaptation still manages to chill with its atmospheric visuals courtesy of cinematographer Karl Freund and set designer Charles Hall. But it’s strongest asset is its cast, with unforgettably evocative performances from Bela Lugosi, Dwight Frye, and Edward van Sloan. If you get the version with music by Phillip Glass, it only enhances the magnetic pull this film can have over you - if you let it. Rental options at $3.99 are the Cineplex and PlayStation video stores, and in HD for $4.99 on iTunes. 1h 25min.

#9 - Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Taking some incidents and ideas from the original novel left out of the first film, and combining them with a unique mix of goth, camp, queer, and horror ideas and themes, James Whale’s sequel to the original 1931 Frankenstein stands as an over-the-top bombastic testament to the horror of being forced to be “normal”. With wonderful performances from Colin Clive, Ernest Thesiger, Boris Karloff, and Elsa Lanchester, the only flaw is perhaps that the titular Bride just isn’t in the movie enough. Rent it for $3.99 on the Cineplex video store, for $4.99 on YouTube and Google Play, and in HD for $4.99 on iTunes. 1h 15min.

#8 - Frankenstein (1931)

The second of Universal Studios’ one-two punch of 1931, James Whale’s classic film manages to outdo Dracula primarily in pathos and theme. While the earlier film was content to merely thrill its audience, the tragedy of Colin Clive’s Dr Frankenstein and his creation looks at the cycle of abuse and confronts viewers with the way society treats its outsiders and outcasts and asks them to question their biases. Boris Karloff’s iconic performance as the Monster echoes through the ages. Available for rent at $3.99 on the PlayStation video store, and in HD for $4.99 on iTunes. 1h 11min.

#7 - Son of Frankenstein (1939)

We might be in the minority for thinking this, but for our money the third Universal Frankenstein movie is the best of the bunch. Set in a suddenly absurdly Expressionist Castle Frankenstein, Basil Rathbone descends into a quivering neurotic madness as the son of the legendary doctor, Lionel Atwell is unforgettable as the one-armed Inspector Kemp, while Bela Lugosi gives perhaps a career best performance as the not-quite-dead hunchback Ygor. It’s the movie that brought horror back from the abyss, and is way more gruesome than its predecessors, especially as it drops the campy tone. Library members who subscribe to Hoopla can stream the film, and it’s available to rent for $3.99 on the PlayStation video store and in HD for $4.99 on iTunes. 1h39min.

#6 - The Invisible Man (1933)

Mark Hamill said it himself - his much acclaimed interpretation of the Joker comes from Claude Rains’ performance as the tragically insane Griffin in this adaptation of the HG Wells novel. The movie shows off James Whale’s great skill at mixing humour and horror, even if some of the British-isms get a bit broad at times, but the true power of The Invisible Man is how it’s gotten more relevant with time - in 2018, the idea that anonymity might lead to immorality is no longer a hypothetical notion. Find it on the PlayStation video store to rent for $3.99, and on iTunes in HD for $4.99. 1h11min.

#5 - The Black Cat (1934)

What do you even say about a movie like Edgar G. Ulmer’s The Black Cat? A metaphor for Austrian/Hungarian relations after World War I, a dip into the world of Satanic cults, a revenge story with elements as unsavoury as Oldboy, and a chance to see Karloff and Lugosi really go at it as adversaries on roughly equal footing at a time when both men’s careers were on about the same level. This movie will draw you in with its gorgeous cinematography, hypnotic editing, and modernist set design, that by the time it’s over, you’ll hardly notice that the story seems to have quite a few holes in it... This underappreciated classic is waiting for you on Google Play and YouTube in HD for $4.99. 1h5min.

#4 - Island of Lost Souls (1932)

Watching this movie is like willingly stepping into a nightmare. The HG Wells’ novel might have somehow wanted to portray Dr Moreau “sympathetically” (fucking Victorians) but this adaptation understands he’s an utter monster and Charles Laughton delivers a bravura performance that underscores the character’s pure insanity. Combine this with the film’s dark and gritty look, the subtle make-up design of the hybrids (including a heavily obscured Bela Lugosi), and the unforgettable chant of The Law, and you have a film that will burn itself into your memory. Unfortunately, Island of Lost Souls has no current streaming options available, but you can find it on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection. 1h11min.

#3 - Körkarlen (1921)

The Phantom Carriage is perhaps the… least “fun” entry here in the top ten. Victor Sjöström’s haunting exploration of the horrors of alcoholism, domestic abuse, poverty, and tuberculosis is a critique of Christian naivete while simultaneously an encouragement of spiritual moral values. It has the tone and pace of a dirge, as it seeks to imprint its message on your very soul. All wrapped up in a chilling story of New Year’s Eve and the spectre of Death! This public domain film can be found on The Scream Scene Playlist on YouTube for free. 1h 47min.

#2 - The Old Dark House (1932)

James Whale’s definitive take on the traditional mystery thriller formula is a movie that will have you laughing right until the moment it has you screaming. In some ways, it’s a movie of clichés, with the protagonists seeking shelter in an old mansion during a rainstorm in the night and having to deal with the reclusive family they find within. But the dark, brooding cinematography, and truly shocking twists that rivet up the intensity over the running time, all contribute to make this a harrowing watch. It’s one part Rocky Horror Picture Show, one part The Addams Family, and one part The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I’m not kidding. The Old Dark House is currently streaming on Shudder. 1h12min.

#1 - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

Early on in the first Hollywood horror craze, Paramount Pictures managed to outdo their main competitor Universal with this masterpiece from director Rouben Mamoulian. With a use of sound, visuals, effects, script, and performance far beyond what most films were doing at the time, this adaptation reigns supreme among other versions of the same story. Fredric March utterly inhabits the dual title role, but it’s Miriam Hopkins’ performance that will stick with you in this superb examination of domestic abuse, alcoholism, and the beast that dwells within us. Currently for rent on YouTube, Google Play, and the PlayStation video store for $4.99. 1h 38min. Hope you find something in our top ten that tingles your spine, and until next year – Happy Hallowe’en!

[bb-92]

THE MEANING OF TRIXIE AND THE CORRELETION BETWEEN REYLO AND DANTE/BEATRICE

The news of yesterday the title of the work on episode IX has been changed to "Trixie", has shocked everyone and leaving the fans perplexed about its possible meaning. Some have noticed that "trixie" is a diminutive of the name Beatrix / Beatrice, and the link and reference to the inspiring woman of the poet Dante Alighieri, was immediate.

This theory did not leave me indifferent, on the contrary, it hit me immediately and I liked it very much. I am an impassioned of Dante and for my graduation I did a thesis about the divine poet and his works. So I could not write a "reylo meta" on the points in common between Dante's love for Beatrice, and the relationship between Kylo Ren and Rey.

So let's start with the name that I know well what it means, because it's my name.

.TRIXIE / BEATRIX / BEATRICE = carrier of bleatitude

Usually it is said that "Beatrice" means "the one who brings happiness", but it is not an entirely correct explanation because the term "beatitude" refers to something much deeper and more complex.

Beatitude is a condition of a very high spiritual level that only the greatest mystics have managed to achieve: it consists in a feeling of infinite peace  for the vision and union with God.

There is no god in the world of Star Wars. The only superior and spiritual entity is the Force who can access only people that, since birth, have a predisposition in using it. Given  "trixie", so Beatrice, like the momentary title of episode IX, one might think that someone (Rey? Kylo Ren and Rey together?), will be able to open the doors of the Force to the whole universe, so that everyone, humans and aliens, can discover it and learn how to use it. It would not be a completely wrong assumption since, as we saw in the TLJ finale, there are many Force-sensitive subjects and as Luke says it is not a Jedi-only prerogative. Or maybe the true power of the Force balacing, will be show to all the universe

.DANTE ALIGHIERI AND HIS LOVE FOR BEATRICE

It will not be enough a small post to talk about the platonic love between Dante and Beatrice and its complex allegorical meaning, so I will limit myself to highlight the essential points that we will need then to talk about Rey and Kylo Ren.

The "Vita Nova" (New Life) is the work in which Dante  tell how was born and developed his love for Beatrice. The title is not given by chance: Dante explains, at the beginning of the book, that he decided to entitle the book like this, because his first meeting with Beatrice was a turning point in his life. From that lucky and beautiful encounter, he began to change to be more and more worthy of being able to be in the presence of this angel woman and to support her powerful and mystical love.

Beatrice was not an ordinary woman. His human features enclosed his true angelic essence and since he was an angel, Dante informs us that he had come to earth with the mission of purifying the hearts of people to elevate them to God. Struck by the real and inner beauty of the woman, Dante is more and more in love with her but the love for her is also painful since he has a cathartic power: he must change, overcome his vices and his human mentality if he wants to continue to love and understand Beatrice.

The two most terrible events for Dante and dangerous for his love for the angel woman are two: when Beatrice decides to take away the greeting and, especially, her death. It is in fact this last event that will bring Dante to perdition, to the loss of the right path that is his spiritual journey towards the good (God) aroused by the presence of Beatrice.

From this state of loss and for the desire to continue to see and love Beatrice, Dante conceives the Divine Comedy, which is the story of his journey through the three kingdoms of the underworld in which, through the discovery of places and meetings with souls, he will begin a new interior journey to purify his soul and be so again worthy of meeting Beatrice, who awaits him to lead him to Heaven, the kingdom of light and of the higher spirits. So Dante Alighieri passes trough a state of darkness from a state of light.

In the Divine Comedy also Dante completes the meaning of the name "Beatrice", because his work ends with the vision of God defined by the great poet as "the Love that moves the sun and the other stars" (so the entire galaxy).

.KYLO REN AND HIS LOVE FOR REY

As for Dante the meeting with Beatrice marked and changed his life, the same happened to Kylo Ren when, in the Takodana forest, he saw Rey for the first time. This meeting and the mental contact with the girl during the interrogation, is certainly a turning point in the life of Kylo Ren who, from that moment, begins to doubt about his condition of obscurity.

Rey, in fact, like Beatrice, is not an ordinary woman but a very powerful girl in the Force who fully embodying the Light, the benevolent side of the Force and, for this reason, has the task of bringing hope and joy into the universe to counteract and balance the darkness represented by Kylo Ren.

Kylo Ren is attracted to Rey and to what she represents: in her presence his attitude changes completely, he feels respect and compassion for the girl so much, so that he expresses moments stronger in the Light. Rey is his source of Light and good, as was Beatrice for Dante. It is therefore clear that Kylo is in love with Rey in fact, he loves her so much that he proposes to join him to dominate the universe. However his gesture, though is sincere, is full of pride and obscurity and Rey can not accept it, because she represents the Light. She can not give in to obscurity and accept an impure love ( Do you remember Paolo and Francesca in the Inferno? Their passion represents a bad kind of love, and we can say it's the same with Kylo Ren and Rey in the TLJ. They need to find another way more pure to love eachother: love eachother in the Force?).

The moment of the refusal of Beatrice's greeting and death, could be compared to the moment when Rey closes the doors of the Millennium Falcon in the face of Kylo Ren to signify her removal and refusal.

Kylo Ren has lost his source of light, the one who was driving him in the "right way" and the scene where the dice disappear from his hand, expresses all the pain and remorse for the consuences of his actions. However this pain and this momentary state of loss, will be precisely those that will push Kylo Ren to a definitive change. Like Dante for the love of Beatrice, he found the courage to face Hell and his inner condition of sin, so even Kylo Ren, for the love of Rey, will defeat and destroy the evil that resides in him with her help. And, in the end, through union with Rey, create the balance in the Force.

PS: Dante's love for Beatrice was secret, to avoid scandal because Beatrice was married. Even the Force bonds  is the secret of Kylo Ren and Rey, just to avoid scandal among people. But Dante wrote the Divine Commedy to let people know about his love, so the love between Kylo and Ray will be show to all in the last episode?

.THE NUMBER 9 AND THE NUMBER 3

The number 3 is the perfect number. Since it represents perfection and in Christianity the Trinity, it has been used by Dante to structure the Divine Comedy: 3 are the Kingdoms and canticles (Hell, Purgatory and Paradise), and the canticles  contain 33 songs.

We can say that the same structure is in the Star Wars saga: 3 are the series (prequel, original and sequel) made up of 3 films each.

The number 9 was very dear to Dante and it possessed a meaningful meaning for the poet because, as he tells in "Vita Nova" (New Life), every event linked to Beatrice took place on dates in which that number appeared. So for Dante it became a symbol of Beatrice and of love for her.

And what is the last episode number? Is the 9! That which also in the term "trIXie". So: if TRIXIE stands for Beatrice and this title has been chosen also in reference to the muse of Dante Alighieri, there are many hopes that the whole expresses the happy ending of love between Kylo Ren and Rey.

Sorry for my bad english but I come from Italy and wasn't easy for me to write about Dante in another language. So I hope you like this meta and... JJ makes the Reylo come true!