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blaiddllodi · 4 months ago

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TOA Anniversary Munday

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing!

Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

(Previous answers here on Raven's blog. Thanks for putting this together Neffi!)

Name: tches!

Pronouns: she/they

Birthday (no year): 22 Dec

Where are you from? What is your time zone? From Germany, but I live in Colorado

How long is your roleplay experience? A few years in 2005, and now my tenure here

How were you introduced to roleplaying as a whole? Uhhhhh probably Yahoo chatrooms if I'm honest, but I spent most of my time in Livejournal communities

How were you introduced to TOA? I found it scrolling the Raven tag and I saw mirae's drop. Didn't join at this time. Then Elf advertised in a mutual server and I was like Hm. Maybe I will.

Do you have any pets? The server knows my beloved Coriander my baby my light my heart. I also live with two GSDs, Ursa and Solo.

What is your favorite time of year and why? (Season, holiday, general period) I love you winter, I love you snow, I love you December, I love you.

What is your IRL occupation? Handwaves IT. I'm helpdesk at my current place, but I've begun learning network infrastructure stuff recently.

Some interests and things you like/enjoy? I like languages and history, esp Meiji Japan and Mughal India. I used to be a lot more active, and I still generally enjoy yoga and rock climbing, but I've accrued some injuries which prevent me from doing this as much as I'd like. Sadge.

What non-Fire Emblem games do you play? Final Fantasy, Pokemon, Ace Attorney, Assassin's Creed, Dragon Age, Bloodborne, Witcher, Kingdom Hearts.

Favorite Pokemon type & Pokemon: Ice or Dragon I think; and Gyarados my beloved my friend my partner (although Delibird is a very close second I love that little dude)

Tell us some funfacts and trivia about yourself! (Optional bonus challenge: if you filled this out last year, try not to repeat what you said back then!) One time a drunk driver scraped my ex-husband's car pulling out of the bar and while he was so flabbergasted that it had happened, me and a friend who had just gotten out of the Navy broke into a sprint to chase the girl down for three blocks before she left the neighborhood.

How did you get into Fire Emblem? My father and I were in the PX and I grabbed Blazing because it had just come to the States and it looked interesting.

What Fire Emblem games have you played? All but Archanea and Tellius. I started Path of Radiance, and put it down at chapter 15 when I got busy. I'll pick it back up again I promise :sob:

First & Favorite Fire Emblem games: First is Blazing and favorite is...probably Blazing still. Elibe is just home to me. I really really like Three Houses and Shadows of Valentia though.

List your 5 favorite Fire Emblem characters across the series! Oh gosh. Raven number one forever, and Dima and Berkut are up there. I'll list five who aren't my roster, in no particular order: Hubert, Hector, Lyon, Priscilla, Lachesis.

Who was the first character ever to make you go “ooh I like this one in particular” and why? Can be any context and reason! Wil. Wil was my first favorite, followed by Matthew. I genuinely loved them so so much my first playthrough I gave them everything.

Any Fire Emblem crushes? 😳 Jeralt can still get it.

If you’ve played (or are familiar with) the following games, who was your first S support? Who would you S support nowadays?- Awakening: Another accidental Chrom victim - probably Lonk or Freddie Fates: I genuinely don't remember if it was Kaze or Jakob - Probably still Kaze Three Houses: Claude - Hubert is my favorite S support he's really good Engage: I literally hard swerved from Diamant the moment Pandreo came on screen I don't think anyone's taking his crown.

Favorite Fire Emblem class? I just really like the Merc-Hero line 🙈But I also love wyverns

If you were a Fire Emblem character, what would be your class and stats? Would you be playable? Infantry sword. I hate to say I'd be a Navarre archetype but I honestly probably would be. Middling strength and con but workable with attention, decent speed, absolutely ridiculous crit stat. Surprisingly high resistance. I'd be a good candidate for Dancer or Mortal Savant.

If you were a Three Houses character, what would be your affiliation? Unaffiliated civilian, but can be swayed to join a cause after some effort. I tend to keep myself a bit at arms length, and it can be difficult sometimes to get my genuine loyalty.

If you were an Officers Academy student, what would be your boons, banes and potential budding talent? Boons: Sword, Bow Bane: Flying Budding Talent: Heavy Armor

If you were an Engage character, which nation would you originate from? No lie, probably Brodia. My family is full of soldiers on all sides

How do you pronounce TOA? 🤔(separate letters, to-ah, other?) Depends on the flow of the sentence. Sometimes toe-ah, sometimes T-O-A

Current TOA muses: Raven, Dimitri, Berkut

Past TOA muses? Sigurd, Igrene, Saber, Petra, Beowolf, Lyn

Who was your first TOA muse? If you no longer have them, can you see yourself picking them up again? Raven my heart my forever. If he hasn't been pried from my grasp for the last twenty years, I can't imagine what might.

Do you believe you have a type of character you gravitate towards writing? I like it when grief and love carve someone into a weapon. I love rage and deep, boundless sorrow. And I occasionally like when they get a little slutty, I'm not a monster.

Do you have characters or types of characters you don’t think you can handle writing, but wish you could? 🤔Hard to say. I like to think my range is pretty good. I've been writing for long enough that I don't really wish - I just do it. I think anyone could write anyone if they genuinely put their heart into it.

What kind of scenes, situations etc do you believe you enjoy writing the most? I like when the narrator is a little unreliable. I like when there's so much emotion that everything becomes just a little bit fuzzy an indistinct, like they're suddenly underwater and haven't realized they're drowning. I like when the narrative is circular and I can call back five posts, or when I can bookend things - dramatic irony my beloved. I love miscommunication, especially when one person takes something and runs with it (RIP Sigurd you were the king of this and your never-shuts-up).

Do you have any scenario in mind for your muse(s) that gets you thinking “man I hope I get to write this one day”? I've been in an AU mood lately. I want more AUs - coffeeshop AU, horror movie tropes AU, cross-fiction AU. There was an idea that I had that I'd like to build up a bit more that I may drop a call for 🙊

Favorite TOA-related memories? All of Raven's threads with elysia's Priscilla and kanoesa's Lucius 🤲I hold them like this. And unrelated to my muses I to this day can't get over And Now All Of TOA Knows You Tried To Kill Ryoma.

Present or past tense? Past. I use present tense pretty sparingly, and almost exclusively for one-off asks. Feels weird though.

Normal size text, small text, no preference? No preference. I use normal size out of laziness. The most formatting you'll get from me is italics for emphasis or for thought patterns.

Got any potential muse delusions to share? 😉 One day I will app Sommie and everyone will have a heart attack. You think I'm joking? You think this is a game?

#out of character #dash games #toa anniversary munday

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 year ago

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7th August >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

Saint Cajetan, Priest.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Numbers 11:4-15 The sons of Israel complain in the desert.

The sons of Israel began to wail, ‘Who will give us meat to eat?’ they said. ‘Think of the fish we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic! Here we are wasting away, stripped of everything; there is nothing but manna for us to look at!’ The manna was like coriander seed, and had the appearance of bdellium. The people went round gathering it, and ground it in a mill or crushed it with a pestle; it was then cooked in a pot and made into pancakes. It tasted like cake made with oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night-time, the manna fell with it.

Moses heard the people wailing, every family at the door of its tent. The anger of the Lord flared out, and Moses greatly worried over this. And he spoke to the Lord:

‘Why do you treat your servant so badly? Why have I not found favour with you, so that you load on me the weight of all this nation? Was it I who conceived all this people, was it I who gave them birth, that you should say to me, “Carry them in your bosom, like a nurse with a baby at the breast, to the land that I swore to give their fathers”? Where am I to find meat to give to all this people, when they come worrying me so tearfully and say, “Give us meat to eat”? I am not able to carry this nation by myself alone; the weight is too much for me. If this is how you want to deal with me, I would rather you killed me! If only I had found favour in your eyes, and not lived to see such misery as this!’

The Word of the Lord R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 80(81):12-17

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

My people did not heed my voice and Israel would not obey, so I left them in their stubbornness of heart to follow their own designs.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

O that my people would heed me, that Israel would walk in my ways! At once I would subdue their foes, turn my hand against their enemies.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet and their subjection would last for ever. But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and fill them with honey from the rock.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

Gospel Acclamation John 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!

Or: Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 The feeding of the five thousand.

When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.

When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

(Liturgical Colour: Red; A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God.

The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 125(126):1-6

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.

R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Gospel Acclamation James 1:12

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the man who stands firm, for he has proved himself, and will win the crown of life. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 10:28-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.

Jesus said to his apostles: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Cajetan, Priest

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 2:7-13 You who fear the Lord, trust the Lord.

You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside in case you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be baulked of your reward. You who fear the Lord hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy. Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken? Or who ever called out to him, and was ignored? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 111(112):1-9

R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia!

Happy the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all his commands. His sons will be powerful on earth; the children of the upright are blessed.

R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia!

Riches and wealth are in his house; his justice stands firm for ever. He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just.

R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia!

The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.

R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia!

He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. With a steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see the downfall of his foes.

R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia!

Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory.

R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia! How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 12:32-34 It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

‘Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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theincuhusbands · 4 years ago

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Getaway - (Damien x Reader)

Summary - On the run up the holidays, life has been tense for Y/N and Damien. After having their first huge fight the two decide to go on a weekend getaway to spend some time together.

Warnings - Long, strong language, kissing, cheesy, family-issues, fighting

Word Count - 1160

I look out the Jeep's door window at our new home for the weekend. There was a wooden cabin built out of logs and covered in thick layers of snow. It looked like it came straight out a holiday movie! Icicles hung from the eves delicately, like icing dripping from a cake, frozen in time. The small berry trees covered in tiny red berries and sprinkled in a light layer of snow with small robins jumping around the branches.

It had taken just over a day to get here, although a large portion of that was just trying to find the cabin since it was in the middle of a clearing in a snowy forest, surrounded by mountains but it's just perfect! Just what we were looking for.

My boyfriend Damien and I had been tense recently; I had been worried about my parents since my Dad was still angry I gave the company up to James and I knew that he was waiting to blow up at me since every conversation we’d had since, he’d been two seconds away from screaming before I luckily found an excuse to hang up the phone or leave and Damien had been tense since his publishing company had been working him to the bone trying to release as many children’s books as possible for the quick Christmas money grab.

Recently we'd had our first huge fight when he had to back out of a family dinner with my parents due to him coming home late. Sufficed to say I was tired, angry and embarrassed and the resulting fight caused most of the boys leaving the house for the night; staying at friends-with-benefits houses, hotels or colleagues. I’ve felt awful about it since but this is our chance, to clean the air.

I get out the jeep jumping down and hearing the satisfying thump of my boots crushing the snow. I breathe in the cold air, letting it fill up my lungs. I turn to the back of the car to see Damien already unloading the boot. I smile to myself slightly leaning against the car, biting my lip. Damn the boy is cute. He looks up me and smirks before looking back down to the luggage. I come to my senses quickly rushing to grab some bags and try carrying them in. I pick up 3 bags and a suitcase before I’m stopped by Damien laughing and rushing to myside placing a hang on my bag.

“hm you’re going to hurt yourself doing that! Here let me help”

He smiles sweetly as he takes my suitcase off me and we trudge through the snow to the porch. We kick the snow off our boots as I jingle the ring of keys the owner had left us and unlock the door. The inside of the cabin was basic with only a few bits of furniture; a brown leather seat with wooden end tables, a small table lamp, red tartan curtains framing the windows and there was a huge stone fireplace stretching up the side of the wall that looks older than my grand father was. The inside of the cabin was so cold I could see mine and Damien’s breath. I smile dumping the bags on the floor.

“I’ll go put the heating on.” Damien smiled gently at me before turning around and going back out to the car.

-------

I lifted up the pot and poured the potatoes into the coriander, draining all the water out and then place them finally onto Damien and I’s homemade cooked meal. It might not be James and Matthew level of cooking but the smell seemed to have attracted a very hungry Damien. “hmm is it almost finished? It smells delicious!”

I turn around smiling to face him. The look of pure happiness in his eyes makes my knees go weak. Yes, this is exactly what we need. I toss him a couple napkins as he catches them surprised “I’ll be through in a minute.”

Damien leaves and walks through to the living room as I put the final things onto our plates. I carry them through and sit next to Damien on the sofa as we dig in. Damien turns on the small TV and the first thing that comes on is a cheesy Christmas movie. We settle on watching that.

Over the course of the next hour, we finish our meals and the slight distance between us becomes shorter and shorter until we’re snuggling on the seat with my head on his shoulder. We watch as the man runs to the airport to stop his one true love from flying to London. “If that were me getting on the plane would you try and stop me? Or would you let me go?”

He pauses for a second and turns to face me a puzzled look on his face. “If I thought it was what you really wanted… but it’d-“ He cut himself off going quiet for a minute. I sit up, quirking an eye-brow and gently reach a hand to touch his hair. He leans into it closing his eyes and sighing long and hard. “It’d kill me to watch you go.”

My heart melts at his very words as I start to blush furiously; only now do I realise how tangled up we are. “Damien I’m… I’m sorry about-“ He shakes his head as he gently kisses my cheek. “Life’s been hard recently, for both of us. That’s not our fault and one silly fight isn’t going to change how much I love you.”

I smile to myself, letting out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding in. I lean forward slightly pinning myself above Damien as I climb onto his lap, gently cradling his face with my hands. I lean in slowly and kiss him feeling warmth and love flow through my body. The kiss is long and passionate and feels like everything we’ve been missing. I can feel Damien’s hands glide along my back, tender and loving but with a firmness that made my stomach warm. I missed you baby.

I feel Damien laugh against my lips as his arms made their way to my ass, making me smirk. Damien stood up smiling, holding me up with a firm grip on my ass and my legs wrapped around his waist. I’d worry he’d drop me however I seem as light as a feather to him. I pull apart from him panting lightly, resting my forehead on his. “Merry Christmas Izroul.” My heart skips a beat when I hear his husky voice respond. “Merry Christmas Y/N…”

His voice was enough but when he said my name something in me snapped. I smirk looking at him and watch as he reads my dirty mind, a devilish twinkle forming in his eyes. “You know Christmas is actually around the corner…” I lean into his ear gently smirking “I think I’m on the naughty list…”

#Seduce me #seduce me the otome #seducemetheotome #SeduceMeOtome #seduce me the demon war #seducemethedemonwar #Damien #Damien Anderson #Mika #Mika anderson #Mika x Damien #Izroul #Izroul x Mika #Izroul x reader #x reader

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thecrookedgavel · 4 years ago

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The Crooked Gavel - Ep 5 Transcript

Here is the transcript for Episode 5 of the queer audio drama - The Crooked Gavel.

Audio of the episodes can be found here

Credits Voice: You are listening to episode 5 of The Crooked Gavel: A 1920’s tale of court drama and lesbian romance, produced by Crooked Gavel Productions. This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, please look after yourself while listening.

*light knocking*

Alice: Good Morning, Matthew. How are you doing since I saw you yesterday?

Matthew: Hello, Alice. I’m fine, personally. You’ve caught me in the middle of some rather boring paperwork. At least, it’s not as interesting as the work I submitted on your behalf. How are you feeling?

Alice: I do admit, I’m feeling rather nervous. Though it does help considerably that we went over everything extensively last night.

Matthew: It’s alright to feel nervous. I always do before prosecuting a trial. If you stick to the questions we rehearsed and remember your closing statement, you’ll do fine.

Alice: I did practice again before I went to bed. I’m sure I have it all memorized

Matthew: Good, good. Shall we start walking? It’s almost time.

Alice: Yes, let’s ankle.

*Door Closing*

any last minute advice beforehand?

Matthew: Let’s see… Try and be conservative with your objections. They can easily backfire for you when you’re… new at this. Unless Max mistreats the witness or says something completely out of line, I would let things slide in your position.

Alice: Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.

Matthew: And remember to say your closing statement directly to the jury. Creating a connection with them is extremely important.

Alice: Yes, that’s right. *Pause* Thank you again for getting me this opportunity.

Matthew: Well, I got to say, it wasn’t easy. But I should be the one thanking you. Here I am squirreling away a second time while you go and do all the hard work.

Alice: I don’t see it that way at all, anymore. There’s no shame in being afraid of Cayenne.

Matthew: I suppose you’re right. I hope that today we expose him for the criminal that he is

Bailiff: All rise for the honorable Marshall Coriander.

Matthew: *hushed tone* That’s your cue, Alice. Hurry on to the front. Me and Aunt Lillian will be watching. We’ll be cheering you on.

---

*Gavel bang*

Marshall: I was hoping it was a mistake on my paper here, but it looks like Alice Cinnamon is at the prosecutor’s table. I had a feeling it may come to this.

Max: Wait, Alice is the mystery prosecutor? There’s no way! Your honor, this is ridiculous. Can someone please explain this to me?

Marshall: After what your client has allegedly done concerning the prosecutors, and how your wife was caught fraudulently making her way into this trial, frankly, this is the least ridiculous part of this whole debacle.

Max: But… But your honor, there’s no precedent for this sort of thing

Marshall: Exactly. There’s no precedent for a case of this type, of this profile. And I certainly hope there’s no precedent for this type of alleged corruption either. That means it’s up to us to decide how to proceed.

Max: That still doesn’t explain what a non-lawyer, let alone a woman, has any business prosecuting this case.

Marshall: Can’t you see that if the evidence is to be believed that this is her only shot at a fair trial? Besides the ones under heavy investigation, there isn’t a lawyer in town that’ll touch this case. With Margaret out of the picture, she’s left without anyone she can trust. There’s no one left besides herself. The system has failed her. We have failed her. The least we can do is let her speak for herself. Now, the paperwork from Paprika does check out, though it’s clear he is using more than a couple legal loopholes, so we will be starting the proceedings.

Max: Of course, your honor. It’s no skin off my nose if the prosecutor doesn’t know a subpoena from a hole in the ground.

Marshall: I don’t suppose you have any surprise witnesses today, Cumin.

Max: Actually, the defense rests.

Marshall: Do you have any rebuttal witnesses prepared, Miss Alice?

Alice: Yes, I do. The prosecution calls Harry Tarragon to the stand.

Bailiff: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Harry: I do

Alice: Please state your name and occupation for the record.

Harry: My name is Harry Tarragon, and I own and manage a coffee joint called the Crooked Gavel.

Alice: Have you and I met before?

Harry: Yes, I used to employ you, until you quit on the 16th of last month.

Alice: Can you tell us a bit about the events leading up to my departure?

Harry: I was cleaning up some dishes when all of a sudden, I heard a loud crash. Came from the table that you were serving John Cayenne and Frank Saffron.

Alice: Would that have been John Cayenne, the defendant of this trial.

Harry: One and the same.

Alice: What happened afterwards?

Harry: There was a huge mess on the ground, broken mugs and plates, espresso everywhere. I called you over, treating you as if you were the source of the mess. That’s when you told me that John Cayenne had assaulted you, grabbed you from behind. You wanted my support in trying him in court. I told you I wouldn’t give it to you, that hadn’t seen anything.

Alice: What did you see, exactly.

Harry: I saw it all! I saw him knock the drinks out of your hands, I saw him molest you, I saw him smiling while he did it. I know what I said before, and I’m sorry I wasn’t honest initially. But I was afraid.

*Crowd Murmurs*

Alice: No further questions

---

Marshall: Cumin, your cross-examination?

Max: You say you were afraid. Of what, exactly?

Harry: I was afraid of losing my business. That John Cayenne would call for a boycott against my establishment, if I spoke up against him.

Max: But you’re suddenly not afraid anymore?

Harry: To be honest, I’m still very much afraid for my career. I’m just not letting it stop me from doing what’s right anymore.

Max: So you saw him touch her then? You’re sure?

Harry: Positively!

Max: So then, you also saw that no harm had come to her?

Harry: ‘scuse me?

Max: No bruises, cuts or scrapes? Just a gentle grab, nothing more?

Alice: Objection! Your honor, Mr Cumin is outright admitting it happened. Can’t we close this whole case up right now?

Marshall: Sustained, Cumin, what do you think you’re doing?

Max: The defense still holds that the defendant did nothing of the sort, your honor, but at this point, with three witnesses claiming otherwise, it’s simply easier to show that the claims against him are moot. We can assume at this point, that he did touch her. But I will say it again, “so what?” What is the crime here exactly? If there is one, it’s certainly not assault in the second degree, and that’s all that need to be shown.

Marshall: Have it your way Cumin. Please continue.

Max: Was Miss Cinnamon injured in any way?

Harry: No, she was not.

Max: And you personally saw how uninjured she was directly after her confrontation with Cayenne

Harry: Yes, I did.

Max: And how does one commit second degree assault without seriously injuring a person, do you know?

Harry: No, I don’t.

Max: Good. No further questions

Marshall: You may call your next witness, if you have one

Alice: The prosecution rests, your honor.

---

Marshall: We will now have your closing statement, Miss Alice.

Alice: Members of the Jury, now that the trial has come to pass, I’m going to ask you to do what you were originally tasked to do: Find the truth. By now, it should be clear to you. In the evidence in the form of testimony that you’ve now heard, three separate witnesses have claimed the defendant is guilty of assault, and the only witness saying otherwise is the defendant himself. Even the defense has all but admitted that it has happened. I understand how big of a loss it would be to convict a previously esteemed member of the community, but it would be far worse for our community to let a guilty man roam free within it. Do your duty, and give a verdict of guilty of assault in the second degree.

Marshall: And now your closing statement, Cumin?

Max: Again, the defense maintains that John Cayenne didn’t lay a finger on the girl, but since there is this obvious conspiracy against him, it will be more useful for you to think of how ridiculous a guilty verdict would be. And remember, that you are to ignore all of this bribery business. It has no bearing on this case, and I have no doubt that it will be cleared up soon, as a simple misunderstanding. As the witness Officer Nutmeg clearly said, no violent crime took place on the 16th of September, the day in question. Cayenne didn’t take anything from her, he did her no harm, the question I ask again is: So what? Is a little rudeness really considered a crime? This is a man who is indispensable to Brooklyn. Think of his career, think of the community. Don’t let one moment of indiscretion ruin either. Don’t let John down. Don’t let Brooklyn down. Give a verdict of not guilty.

Marshall: Now, if that’s all, we will dismiss the jury and-

Alice: I would like to speak again… your honor

Marshall: Very well, you are allowed to do so under the proceedings.

Alice: Gentlemen of the jury, you were just asked by the defense to ignore some of the evidence of the trial, when in fact, it couldn’t be more relevant to this case. The way money was handed out by Cayenne shows the man has no interest in a fair trial. There’s nothing that screams guilty more than bribing prosecutors before charges were laid. And this whole “so what?” business is a load of bull. He did hurt me. Inside. Such a base violation hurt more than I ever thought it would. I bear no cuts or bruises, but it hurt all the same. And he did take from me on that day, he took my sense of self, my confidence, the spring in my step. He took away a week of my life, spent mourning what I lost. John Cayenne set out to do serious harm on that day, and take my power away, and because of that I believe a violent crime did take place. I said before what a loss to the community a conviction would be, but the true loss has already happened. The Cayenne you knew is long gone. It’s possible he never existed to begin with. Please, do what’s right. Give a verdict of guilty and help set a precedent of jail time for violent crimes against women.

Marshall: Thank you, Miss Alice. The jury will now leave to discuss the outcome of this case.

*Gavel Bang*

---

Alice: It’s been more than an hour, does it usually take this long for a jury to decide?

Marshall: Usually it takes less, but sometimes it can go past dinner. Ah, here they come now. Court is now in session.

*Gavel bang*

Marshall: All rise. Has the jury reached their verdict?

Jury member: We have, your honor.

Marshall: Will the defendant please rise and face the jury?

Jury member: We find the defendant, guilty as charged

Marshall: Well then, as this case has no precedent, I must be the one to decide the sentence. This is not a decision I take lightly, as it will influence all future trials of this nature. Due to the very special nature of the assault, and that the victim was especially unharmed, I am sentencing John Cayenne to 1 year in prison.

*Gavel bang*

Alice: That’s it? Only a year? Why he’ll be out in no time at all! You’ll have to do better than that.

*Gavel bang*

Marshall: Miss Alice, please don’t argue with me. If you tell me again what I should do, I’ll hold you in contempt of court. I’ve had plenty of time to think this over, and I believe the punishment fits the crime. Court dismissed

*Gavel bang*

---

Alice: I need one cup of joe with sugar for me, please, and a hot chocolate for Margaret

Harry: Of course, right away. I’m afraid I’m still used to you taking orders, not giving them. I must say, I really missed having you around the Gavel these past few weeks.

Alice: That’s awfully sweet of you to say. Speaking of being sweet, thanks again for hosting this gay little get-together after hours for us.

Harry: Oh, no problem. I feel it’s the least I can do after taking so long to come forward with the truth.

Alice: But you did come forward in the end, and it’s appreciated. I never got to ask you, what will become of the Crooked Gavel now that you’ve publicly gone against Cayenne?

Harry: Well it certainly helps that he was convicted, but I imagine some people will stop coming here all the same. However, that doesn’t matter to me anymore. It’s always best to stick up for what's really important. You showed me that, Alice.

Alice: I’m just glad I showed you before the trial was over, or else who knows what would have happened. Your testimony was vital in putting away that sap... even if it was only for a year.

Harry: I agree that it should have been for longer. I saw what it did to you. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. For not listening to you when you said he made you uncomfortable, for not being a true friend directly after the fact. I think it’s important to listen to women when they have something to say about a fella. Cayenne’s a prime example of someone who acts differently around men than he does around women, and he’s sure as hell not the only one out there.

Alice: That’s very wise of you, Harry. I accept your apology. At least it’ll be awhile before that two-faced windsucker gets to try anything again.

Harry: Here, these two are on the house.

Alice: Well ain’t that the darndest thing. Thank you.

---

Alice: Here’s your hot chocolate, Margaret. Careful, they’re served quite hot here, as the name would imply.

Margaret: Thank you, I’ll be sure to let it cool a tick before drinking it. As I was saying before, I’m still upset about my preliminary hearing. What kind of crime does a girl have to do before she’s taken seriously?

Alice: The way the judge laughed at you when he heard what you did, I wanted to strangle him for you.

Margaret: No strangling necessary, but the sentiment is appreciated. At the very least, Matthew says I’m pretty likely to not see any jail time for this, but I feel it’s because I’m female. What harm could a well-meaning bunny have done, after all? So much for equal rights.

Alice: Though I am very glad to hear that you will likely stay out of jail, I agree with you. Not being taken seriously as women is what got us into this mess in the first place.

Margaret: That’s right! I had been so busy talking about me, that I completely forgot to say, you were amazing out there, Alice! What you said in your rebuttal was incredibly moving, and I think the jury agreed.

Alice: That’s very kind of you, but I thought you were in jail when the trial occurred.

Margaret: I was, but Matthew lent me his copy of the transcript to read. You did one hell of a job! I felt like I was right there.

---

Matthew: Did I hear my name just now?

Margaret: I was just saying how you lent me the transcript, and how amazing Alice was in court!

Matthew: Ah, yes. You really pulled it off out there. I was sweating bullets the whole time. In a good way.

Lillian: Alice, my dear, you were just wonderful! I was just telling Matthew how I think you would make a fine lawyer of your own. Have you given any thought to taking up the profession?

Alice: Oh, gosh, no. I don’t think I have the gumption to that every day. Besides, I have another career path in mind.

Lillian: Really now? Do tell!

Alice: I will, once everyone gets here. I don’t want to spoil the surprise before then.

Matthew: I can’t wait! Another thing we were talking about, guess who’s going to be a witness in the fraud trial against Cayenne? It’s me! Here’s hoping we add a few more years to his measly sentence.

Margaret: Oh yeah? What made you feel safe from his wrath all of a sudden?

Matthew: It was you and Alice, really. You two never wavered, and worked together so closely to win the day! It inspired me to do better.

Alice: *laughs* You make us sound like heros! You know, you were a vital part of the team. We couldn’t have done it without your support, and your paperwork skills.

Matthew: Thank you, but I still feel rather bad about hiding in the shadows the whole time. That’s part of why I’m representing Margaret for free. I want to make things right between all of us.

Lillian: Oh, listen to yourself. You need to stop talking yourself down. These two lovely ladies have already forgiven you. Remember, confidence starts with -

Matthew: -with me, yes Aunt Lillian. I think I finally know what that means now.

---

*Door with bell opens*

Frank: Sorry I’m late, I had to put the little one to bed. Alice, Margaret, come over here a second, I have something for you.

Margaret: Excuse us, you two

Frank: Now, before I give this to you, I wanted to say a little something. I wanted to thank both of you for including me in this party. I really didn’t think I had done enough good to be considered a friend. I’ve done a lot of rotten deeds in the past, and some of them were at your expense. It actually means a whole lot to me, so again, thank you.

Margaret: I think you’ve done plenty good, myself! Plus, you’ve officially quit working under Cayenne. That alone speaks volumes

Alice: Not to mention you gave us the financial records that we so desperately needed. We’d have no precedent if it weren’t for that. Even though we only got a year....

Frank: Actually, I have good news on that front! I’ve heard of three women already pressing charges against Cayenne! More trials means more jail time, and every trial has a small chance that a stronger sentence might take place, setting a new precedent. Looks like you’ve inspired these women to be brave!

Alice: That’s good news indeed! But that’s not entirely true, they already had that bravery to begin with, they were just picking their battles. I only gave them a better battle to pick. The same can be said of you, Frank. That’s why I don’t blame you for not speaking up until now.

Frank: Hmm, I think I understand why I was invited after all. Now, go on, take this, it’s a card Sofia made for the two of you.

Margaret: Look, Alice, that’s us on the front! *reading* To Alice and Margaret…

Alice: *reading* Thank you for making the world a safer place for me to be myself. *normal* Well ain’t that the most precious thing?

Frank: She wrote that herself, can you believe it? Such a swell kid. She’s not the only one singing your praises either. I’ve heard several big names in the community talking you up, saying how important it was that you spoke up, Alice. It’s true that the people of Brooklyn love an underdog...

Alice: If they all love an underdog, where was the community when I needed them? They were too busy sending me those hateful letters to actually help me along the way. No, Brooklyn loves an underdog story, but not an underdog. Once everything’s said and done, people are happy to hop on the bandwagon, but not a moment beforehand.

Frank: And how! Well said. Shall we join the rest of the party now?

Margaret: Sure thing.

---

Alice: Can I have your attention everybody? Now that everyone’s here, I have some things to say. First of all, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Each and every one of you made a conviction possible, and as the hours go by, I feel better and better about the precedent we set. But these few weeks have taught me something, that these crimes against women will never stop unless good people put forth the effort to stop them. That is why I am going to dedicate the rest of my life to helping the cause, not as a lawyer, but as a police woman. I’m going to be joining the women’s bureau and fighting crime, right here in Brooklyn.

*Scattered congratulations*

Margaret: I got some things to say too. First off, I want to echo Alice and say, thank you. What you’ve all done to help the two of us has meant the world to me. I may not have been honest with you about who I really was, and I’m sorry for it. But, part of the issue is, it didn’t feel much like lying at all. I really think that being a lawyer is who I really am. That’s why I’m going to use the money I’m getting in my declaration of independence from Max to go to law school. Then I’ll pass the bar in New York and become a real lawyer, under my maiden name: Margaret Turmeric!

*Scattered congratulations*

Harry: WIth all this amazing news, I think it’s time we bring out the cake! It’s chocolate!

Alice: Oh Harry, I had no idea. That’s wonderful.

Margaret: Oh, Harry, Before we dig in, I have some more to say, but this time it’s just for Alice’s ears only.

Harry; Not a problem, I’ll finish cutting the cake in the meantime

Margaret: Alice, would you mind joining me outside for a spell?

Alice: Certainly, I don’t mind at all

Harry: You two run along now.

---

Alice: What’s all this about? Margaret: Don’t worry, I just wanted to get personal for a moment, and I feel these moments are better shared alone. Here, take my hands. I know I’ve technically already done it, but I just wanted to thank you personally. You’ve done so much for me over these past couple of weeks. You believed in me, when no one else did, not even my husband. You showed me what it meant to be treated right. Knowing you is what gave me the power to be my own person, and I gotta say… thank you.

Alice: That's an incredibly gracious thing to say, but I feel it’s me who should be thanking you. You’ve taught me so much since I’ve had the pleasure of knowing you, you’ve challenged what I thought being a strong woman could mean, and have been a role model this whole time. You believed me and you cared enough to take my case, even though it was dangerous for you, and you did it all for nothing in return.

Margaret: I did it all for no money, but I wouldn’t say I got nothing in return. I got kindness, and companionship, and my own fighting spirit. Alice, you’re the reason I was able to break it off with Max. For more reasons than one

Alice: What do you mean by that exactly?

Margaret: I told you before that you showed me how it felt to be treated right. I meant that. But not as just a friend, but as something… more. Alice, won’t you kiss me?

Alice: Oh Margaret, I… I thought you’d never ask!

*kissing*

Alice: *Giggle* Your lips are as warm as your personality.

Margaret: Oh, Stop, you. *Giggle*

Alice: As I’m sure you’re well aware, this kind of relationship is simply not allowed. But I don’t think we should let that stop us.

Margaret: I agree. We’ll just have to keep it a secret until the rest of the world catches up with us. Another last bit of intrigue to close this chapter of our lives… And start a new one - together.

Alice: Shall we go back inside and enjoy the rest of the party?

Margaret: Of course. After you, bearcat.

*Door with bell closes*

Credits Voice: Thank you for listening to episode 5 of The Crooked Gavel! Follow us on Twitter @thecrookedgavel for updates and discussions of this and other queer projects. This episode’s cast in order of appearance:

Katte Noel as Alice Cinnamon

Michael Matarese as Mathew Paprika

Ben Jeatran as Marshall Coriander

An Capuano as Max Cumin

Nicholas Alain as Harry Tarragon

Ashleigh Aishwarya as Margaret Cumin

Kaidan Cormier as Lillian Paprika

An Capuano as Frank Saffron

Also with:

An Capuano as Bailiff

Hugh Verheylewegen as Juror

Crowd Sounds Performed by :

Katte Noel, Kaidan Cormier, Michael Hope, Michael Matarese, Ashleigh Aishwarya, and Eric Normand

And An Capuano as the Credits Voice

Directed by - An Capuano

Produced by - An Capuano

Written by - An Capuano

Copy Editing by - Sharon van Wyngaarden

Casting by - An Capuano

Sound Design by - An Capuano and BA Nemo

Logo Artist - McKenna Pipher

Audio Editing by - An Capuano

Audio Mastering by - An Capuano

Music by - Kevin MacLeod

Music used in this episode is attributed in the description.

#1920's #audio drama #Audio #Lesbian

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bloomingbedminster · 5 years ago

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Blooming Bedminster Garden Diaries #2

Wednesday 25 March

Welcome to our latest diary entry with news from gardens across greater Bedminster. We'd love to hear and share updates on what's happening in your garden during the Coronavirus ‘lockdown’. Please send a photo or two and a short description to [email protected] - and please feel free to share the Blooming Bedminster Garden Diaries

Hen - Stackpool Road

These are the best tulips I have ever managed to grow, they all have decent flowerhead and are upright! I bought the 15 tulip bulbs from the Riverside Garden Centre. The tulip is called ‘Royal Virgin’ it should flower in April/May but is clearly early. It is a patio bulb. I am really impressed. In the middle I have planted 5 Allium Purple Sensation bulbs which will be much taller and will flower later. The other photo shows a mini spring table that I can see from my kitchen window. It’s past it’s best now.

Carmel - Langton Park

Here is my cheerful window box which was sprung into life in the Spring sunshine!

Constance - Ashton Gate Terrace

Ramshackle sweet pea basket. Still a few flowers left in the Magnolia #myfrontgarden #blooming #Bs3 #sunny

The robin just came in and flew around the sitting room, inspecting house plants. My aldi lemon tree I splurged on (£15!) is flowering away, helping me realise I still have a good sense of smell.

I was lucky enough to get in 4 bags of compost and 2 x 50cm pots so the aldi wisterias I bought a few years ago have new homes, with a few old bulbs and honey lilies and new aldi violas to make the pots look a bit more lived in. I dont have wires to put up the walls for the wisterias so making do with bamboo for now. Oh and put a couple of sweet peas in each pot you, will definitely have to feed them!

Thinking about what useful plants i have, Today I planted some coriander seed.

If the gingko keeps budding i can make dementia tea ;) so I hope it likes its new pot recently vacated by a wisteria. The other wisteria pot now houses a b&q lilac from their reduced table a couple years ago.

Only useful plants at the moment are thyme, chives, rosemary, lavender. And an ancient fig that needs a new pot and new location where it won't get knocked by bikes coming in the back gate.

I have so many zantedeschia aethiopica I potted up for the open garden. All come from botanic garden seed about 25years ago!

I could ramble on. Garden not progressing as fast as it would've if I had that june deadline. Too much soil to take away but dont feel dump runs count as necessity, and no railway sleepers to hand to edge the bed. The Robin's back, better go talk to it!

Matthew - Howard Road Planter

Took my daily exercise today in the form of an early morning run with the dog (two birds with one stone!). While the dog had a good sniff, I took this pic of the daffodils and cardoon plant on the corner of Howard Road. I love the combination of the silver leaves of the exotic looking cardoon and bright yellow of the daffodils. I think it’s made all the better because the cardoon was planted by the nice man who lives next to the street planter and the bulbs were planted by the community gardening group - giving something for us all to enjoy. Hopefully there’ll be lots more ‘giving’ to help each other over the coming weeks.

Liz - Exeter Road

Just a couple of photos from my back garden in the sunshine.

Liz and Tony - Cotswold Road

Being in our small garden is exhilarating today. Warm sun - smell of wallflowers and chives and neighbour's fresh washing!

The chives have travelled with us over the years from my parent’s garden near Pangbourne, via Mapledurham, Sonning Common and Kintbury.

Our rosemary, snowdrops and biggest hostas have made the same journey.

Moving big containers to Bristol in Feb 2005 was the hardest, as they were frozen into the ground!

Our little container pond appears stagnant and lifeless. Think we’ll empty and refill, and hope - perhaps last year’s frog will return. We had a toad then too, in a neglected pile of dead leaves.

Walking (carefully) in Victoria Park recently, I collected a few windfall twigs: 4 different species I think, from the bark.

Now in a vase on a sunny windowsill, the buds are slowly producing leaves - so I look forward to identifying them.

Another thing I’m trying is remembering/looking up French names for a few of the things I see. So far my favourite is ‘bourdon’ = bumble bee. By now you will have guessed we are self-isolating over 70s!

We’d love to hear what’s happening in your garden - send a photo or two and a short description to [email protected] - and please feel free to share the Blooming Bedminster Garden Diaries

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wewerenotthefirst · 8 years ago

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gercan (bakery au/accidental demon summoning au) -- but i know what’s in my heart

Matthew showed up after his rec league practice with a cooler of sandwiches, slipping in through the back door into the pantry where Ludwig’s cataloguing their remaining ingredients and what exactly they can make in the next two days, maybe three if their shipment is delayed anymore.

“We should be fine. But I want to buy extra flour on the way home,” Ludwig said when Matthew came to sit next to him, legs crossed, cooler in his lap. “I’m going to test a recipe tonight.”

“What is it?” Matthew held a sandwich out, and Ludwig really would rather not eat on the floor but he still needed to finish doing inventory, so he took the sandwich and settled against a container of sugar. Ludwig gave Matthew a faint, lingering smile and Matthew’s face lit up. “Ludwig, are you going to finally make tarte au sucre?“

“Yes. And I hope you have a good recipe.”

“I have the perfect one. This mother from Gatineau gave it to me in exchange for—“

Ludwig sighed, “Matthew…”

“Ludwig, I told you when we met. Middle-aged women are an overlooked niche when it comes to contracts. One of them gave me her timeshare in Boca Raton just so she could be at the top of a phone tree.”

Matthew shooed him out of the bakery, handing off his hockey gear to Ludwig as well, around 11 pm, offering to clean and prep and even start the baking schedule for the following week. Ludwig had a suspicion that cupcakes and stollen would feature predominately. Possibly hefekranz, too, because Gilbert’s been making noises about more items with less frosting and sugar, but that are still “cool.”

Ludwig’s apartment isn’t close to the bakery at all. It’s actually a 25-minute bus ride away. If he hadn’t sold his car (and Ludwig tries not to think too hard about the smart little coupe he used to drive) it might be faster, but that coupe was a remnant of a life Ludwig didn’t want to live anymore. Couldn’t live anymore.

(Matthew made it clear that he could bring back Ludwig’s coupe, the fancy downtown apartment and even a little extra—with no charge, Matthew insisted—but Ludwig couldn’t find it anywhere in him to agree. Matthew didn’t push.)

The night route was quiet, and Ludwig opened his phone to find a text from Matthew. It’s a sample menu—with cupcakes every day (vanilla, a chocolate variant, and something with fruit), stollen and hefekranz on Wednesday and Friday, and bundt cakes on Tuesday.

It’s something Ludwig would put together, and he texted Matthew, thanks.

Ludwig graduated at the top of his class, with a job offer that included a corner office thanks to an excellent internship and impeccable work ethic.

Four years later (three as lead counsel) and enough clients who saw less jail time than they should have, and Ludwig found himself stress-baking recipes from his childhood at 3 am. Flour dusted his thighs and tracked down his black dress pants. He hadn’t even changed after he got in, just hung his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves and pulled out every baking pan in his apartment.

When he stopped, taking his first breath in what felt like hours, Ludwig bent over the mixing bowl, hands flat on the sleek countertop. His tie trailed through the mess of flour and sugar and vanilla. He had three trays of shortbread cookies in a row, apple cake in the oven, and the beginnings of cherry cake in the bowl.

“My client murdered two prostitutes and then his wife. He liked it. He became aroused while the medical examiner spoke.” Ludwig breathed out. “I threw my jacket over his lap so no one could see he was aroused.”

He repeated this until he left for work at 7 am. He quit at 7:20.

Gilbert told him to teach and almost—almost—cried when Ludwig told him he was going to open a bakery.

“They have a guest lecturer position available!” Gilbert shouted, gesturing with a tiny apple tart. Ludwig sliced the apple thinly and spread it, fan-like, across the surface, and he’s sure Gilbert didn’t appreciate it now as much as he did when Ludwig showed up with a platter full. “You can turn that into a permanent position, Ludwig! You can do anything!”

“So I can open a bakery,” Ludwig said, mildly. He’s been taller than Gilbert since he was 16, but he feels very small now, in front of his brother’s furious confusion.

Gilbert just stared at him. He scrubbed at his eyes, and then his shoulders just fell. He sighed, “Yeah. You can open a bakery.”

Ludwig never told Gilbert why a bakery, and he never will. Gilbert already teased him enough about Matthew. He would never let Ludwig live down the fact that Matthew was the one to convince him.

“You could sell these,” Matthew had told him, two slices of lemon bundt cake in hand. They’re frosted, speckled with little bits of candied lemon that Ludwig painstakingly chopped until each piece was a sliver. The effect was lovely.

Matthew ate the frosted parts first. There’s still a circle of scorched tile around his feet and Ludwig’s entire apartment smelled like ash and sulfur.

“Have you considered that? You could a success. You could have the best reviews on Yelp.”

Ludwig just stared at him, pressed against his dining table, while Matthew stared back.

“You don’t have to give me your soul, if that’s your concern. You could just give me the recipe for this,” Matthew said with a smile, holding up the cake in his hands. “I love recipes. In fact, the recipes in that,” He nodded at the cooking book Gilbert had, in a very well meaning moment, gifted him after finding it at a used bookstore. Ludwig honestly didn’t expected a faded red book with pie recipes that still required suet to summon a demon, and yet—“are all mine. I wrote it. I wonder how it got here. The last time I was summoned was in Calgary.”

“How can a cookbook summon you?”

“It’s actually quite simple. It’s the recipe,” Matthew replied, pushing himself onto the counter. Ludwig grimaced and moved to tell him off, but Matthew was already talking again and oblivious to Ludwig’s distress, “Not everyone decides to make clafoutis. If you tried to make lemon meringue or black forest cake, I’d show up, too. Actually, any pie recipe would summon me. On your third reading, I show up.” The demon gave him a bright smile. “The baker is usually at their wit’s end, would do anything to get the recipe just right.”

The demon’s smile faded. “It’s actually worrying how many middle-aged women give me their souls just to show up Brenda or Karen at a bake sale. Or fair. It’s really an overlooked niche.”

“You take advantage of them.”

“I’m a demon,” Matthew explained. “Also, I don’t ask for their soul. People just offer it. Immediately. I haven’t asked for a soul since the 1500s.”

“I’m not giving you my soul. In fact, I don’t want,” Ludwig paused, wondering how to politely send away the demon, “Please just go.”

Matthew said nothing. But slowly his face began to color, cheeks blotching red, and his eyes widened. They shone.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Matthew said then, looking away. His hair hid his expression, and Ludwig suddenly felt terrible.

Before Matthew left, however, he said, “But I meant it. You should open a bakery.”

The next week, after Ludwig talked to Gilbert, he opened the cookbook to the first pie recipe and started.

An hour later, Matthew appeared. He was wearing a thick wool sweater, expression wary. It turned curious when Ludwig spoke.

“I’m going to open a bakery,” Ludwig told him. “I don’t want any contract. I just wanted you to know.”

That’s how Ludwig went into business with a demon. And gained a roommate.

“Is your head a field of flowers?!” Alfred had howled when he first met Ludwig, four months after their bakery’s grand opening. Rounding on his brother, the other demon took Matthew’s face in his hands. “You went into business with a human without getting his soul?”

Ludwig, still holding a frosting pipe, wanted to get back to the chocolate truffle cupcakes he was icing but Matthew’s face was distressed and furious and Ludwig was worried for him. And his floor and walls.

The marks from Matthew’s first visits were the reason why Ludwig never got his deposit back from his old apartment.

“Arthur said we need to expand our portfolios! To be creative!”

“He meant stop resorting to natural disasters at the end of each quarter to fill quotas! Not get a human boyfriend and start a bakery!”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Matthew snapped, cheeks pink, slapping Alfred’s hands away. “Besides, even if you collected one soul everyday for the next century, you still wouldn’t come near my records so stop ruining this like you ruin everything!”

“Do you even know the probability of this bakery staying in business? The cupcake bubble has burst!”

“I know! I remember you crying about that op-ed in the New York Times!”

Ludwig watched helplessly at the two demons standing toe-to-toe and yelling, each response a little crueler than the last. Both were also tearful.

He never expected agents of hell to be so emotional. He sighed, and just brought the cupcakes to the front counter to decorate.

They hired one human employee and, later, one demon. Both were competent bakers. Both had flawless customer service skills. Neither had a taste for human flesh.

(“Most demons don’t eat humans anymore,” Matthew explained. “I think it’s the increased radiation.” At Ludwig’s look of horror, he added, “I never ate humans. Alfred has, so don’t believe him if he says otherwise.”)

In short, Ludwig would trust his employees to run the bakery while he and Matthew worked on new creations in the kitchen.

“Mango coriander pound cake cupcakes,” Matthew suggested, legs swinging, chin propped up in his hands. “Gingerbread orange. Caramel pear. Almond fig. Lavender—“

“Matthew, we can’t just have cupcakes.” Ludwig couldn’t help but smile. Matthew sighed, tucked a curling strand of hair behind his ear and just looked at Ludwig for a moment.

His eyes were soft, fond and impenetrably violet in the bright kitchen lights. Ludwig’s heart stuttered, and Matthew ducked his head.

He continued, after a moment, “Lime bars. Coconut cashew chocolate oatmeal bars. Tarte au sucre?”

“This is my…my Arthur,” Matthew had said, smile shy and small, as he introduced Arthur. His Arthur, the demon who raised him.

Matthew’s Arthur looked nothing like the Arthur Matthew introduced earlier.

“So you’re his Ludwig.” Arthur’s tone was flat and he looked Ludwig up and down. He was still wearing the trousers and sweater from earlier, but instead of looking fatherly and polite, he looked borderline contemptuous. He circled Ludwig. “In my experience, only one sort of human enters into business with a demon. And they’re usually worse than the demon.”

Matthew never discussed what he did as a demon or even what he did when he wasn’t at the bakery or apartment or hockey practice. Ludwig would never ask Matthew to give up his privacy, especially when Matthew never pushed him for anything.

“You must understand why I’m curious.” Arthur’s gaze was narrow and assessing. “But I’ll wait.”

The next day Ludwig made earl grey cupcakes with lavender frosting, mince pies (using suet), and devil’s food cake cupcakes along with the hefekranz and lemon bundt cake that was a daily offering.

Matthew looked equal parts delighted and nervous when Arthur approached the counter and quirked a brow at the offerings. He ended up trying one of each, including each flavor of madeleine when Matthew excitedly mentioned that he helped make them.

“I hope you only poured the batter, my boy. Your baking is as bad as my cooking,” Arthur sighed, a small but affectionate smile appearing for a moment when Matthew led him, by arm, to a table in the corner.

Ludwig watched Matthew’s head tilt toward Arthur’s, laughing, clear and sweet, at something Arthur probably said. He watched for a moment longer.

When Ludwig baked at home, Matthew was usually at his elbow or perched on the counter top, heels against the cupboard. Ludwig could never really tell him to get down, so he ended up having Matthew hold the cookbook or read him parts of the recipe.

“I picked up some raspberries,” Matthew said when Ludwig stopped the mixer. “We can do small raspberry pound cakes. Heart-shaped sugar cookies and short bread.”

“For Valentine’s?” Ludwig asked. Matthew nodded. “The third cupcake should be a red velvet.

His new kitchen was smaller, cozier, crowded with two stand mixers and the biggest stretch of countertop between them. Matthew’s spot was by the stove and Ludwig’s usually no more than an arm’s reach away. As a result, the two of them are more or less in each other’s space and when Ludwig would look up, he could see the sweep of Matthew’s eyelashes and the freckles on his nose.

Matthew met his gaze and flushed. He pushed his glasses further up his nose and Ludwig busied himself with the mixer again.

“He used to bake with our cousin, Roderich. A real prissy bastard. But he could make a deadly sachertorte. Ludwig’s amazing, but that’s one recipe he hasn’t gotten yet.”

Gilbert stopped by the bakery once a week on his way from work. In fact, it was thanks to Gilbert that the bakery saw a surge in business after a few slow, early months. He would stop by in the morning and take an assortment of breads and muffins to work and leave them in lounges around campus with a pile of business cards for the bakery.

Matthew looked forward to each of Gilbert’s visits. As for Gilbert, Ludwig bet that the allure of having an eager, attentive audience in Matthew was just as good as the pretzels Ludwig finally added.

The bakery is finally quiet, half an hour before close. The after-work rush ended 11 minutes ago, and Ludwig has Manon and John decide who starts the dishes and who does the week’s inventory while he counts down the register. Usually Matthew would, but entertaining Gilbert is more difficult than anything else so Ludwig leaves him.

Now the pair has moved on to pictures, of Ludwig, of Gilbert, of their childhood. Matthew has seen them before, but each time Gilbert offered to bring them out (because they’re on his phone, of course), Matthew agreed.

“Ludwig was a cute kid. Really serious. I used to beg him to break a few things, get some dirt on his shirt. But even after baking with Roderich, he’d be immaculate while the rest of the kitchen was a wreck.” Gilbert grinned and Matthew inched closer, wordlessly asking for the phone.

Gilbert, of course, handed it over and let Matthew flip through the photos. With one arm over the back of his chair, Gilbert said, “You have any photos to share? I bet you were a cute kid, too.”

Matthew froze, and Ludwig stopped counting the change in the register to look at Matthew.

“My mother died when I was young,” Matthew began slowly, “My father worked. I was on my own a lot.”

Gilbert nodded, eyes flicking over Ludwig’s. But he just said, “It’s alright. Like I said, you were definitely a cute kid.”

Ludwig was testing an improved recipe for white chocolate cream cheese frosting at home when Matthew said, “My mother promised my soul to another demon. But, then there was, uh, a minor civil war in hell and Arthur received me in the treaty. He visited me and asked if I wanted to have my soul back or if he could keep it in exchange for something else. He thought it was unfair that my mother signed me away.”

Matthew looked almost abashed when he continued, “I said he could keep my soul, so long as he didn’t lose it like Francis did.”

“Why would you let him…” Ludwig trailed off, putting down the spatula he was using to fold in extra powdered sugar.

“I was alone, Ludwig. And Arthur gave me a choice. I always had a choice.”

Ludwig had nothing to say to that. But he touched Matthew’s wrist, fingers brushing against the paper-thin skin over his veins. And Matthew smiled.

Arthur repaid Matthew’s loyalty, support, and affection with loyalty, support, and affection. He was given his preferred regions to collect souls. He tolerated Matthew’s periods of inactivity, periods where Matthew decided to travel and go to school and start a bakery with a human. He passed an edict, promising to personally uphold Matthew’s demands that no one use the bakery to form contracts or target its workers. Customers were fair game outside the bakery, but not within that part of the city.

“Matthew sided with Arthur in every major conflict, including the one where I left to rule my own part of Hell,” Alfred explained, helping himself to leftover candied bacon. “It looks like no one’s home, you know, when he smiles or just looks at you, but Matthew’s a real bastard on the battlefield. He’s vicious. Scorched earth and shit.”

Flatly, Ludwig said, “I can’t imagine that.”

Alfred grinned at him, popping another piece of bacon into his mouth. “You’ve never seen him play hockey, huh?”

Matthew tried very hard to deter Ludwig from coming to his next game. He glowered at Alfred, who looked entirely too excited and unrepentant, and was even snappish toward Ludwig, who brought mini cupcakes for the entire team.

“This is embarrassing,” Matthew hissed before going to join his team.

Ten minutes in to the game, Matthew was sent to the penalty box for cross checking someone in the stomach.

“Oh,” Ludwig murmured, box of cupcakes on his lap, and Alfred whooping next to him. “I can imagine it.”

“He once did that once with a saber, but to someone’s face,” the demon shouted.

“Wait, Matthew lives with you? Where does he sleep?” Gilbert asked, looking up from his meatloaf at Ludwig and then Matthew.

Ludwig went completely rigid. Matthew responded by taking a huge bite of meatloaf and broccoli and let Ludwig flounder for an answer.

“Don’t make it inappropriate!” Ludwig knew, before he was even finished speaking, that he chose the wrong response.

Gilbert’s smirk was terrifying.

(“Why didn’t you tell him I sleep on the couch?” “Why didn’t you?!”)

Their bakery didn’t have the highest rating on Yelp, but they’re on the Top Ten list and have dozens of rave reviews. Tourists visit their hole-in-the-wall bakery, take pictures of themselves with the exposed brick walls in the background the their tables cluttered with plates of treats.

Matthew insisted he had no hand in their success, but Ludwig corrected him.

“The bakery wouldn’t be here without you.”

The demon blushed, bright red across his face and down his neck and up his ears, and Ludwig, not for the first time, wanted to kiss him.

The morning of Valentine’s Day Ludwig and Matthew decorated the sugar cookies, side-by-side. Ludwig alternated between red and pink frosting while Matthew sprinkled pastel pink sanding sugar on a batch of sugar cookies with white frosting.

It took a few times, and Ludwig’s heart was thudding in his chest, but he finally got the words out. He’d been practicing them all morning. “Matthew. We sleep in the same bed. We’re talking about getting a dog. I never took tarte au sucre off the menu. We’re up to four cupcakes instead of three. We fought over the Christmas menu and you left but you showed up before Arthur killed me—“

“Ludwig, you’re rambling.” Matthew looked worried. He still had a pinch of pink sanding sugar between his fingers and Ludwig still has to cut the clafoutis and check on the raspberry pound cake but Matthew is reaching up to touch his forehead, with his sugared hand. Ludwig could feel the streak of sugar against his temple as Matthew peered into his eyes. “I told you to go to bed early. Manon and John are great, but they’re not ready to do the bulk of the baking. Although, we could use another baker. Maybe in a month or so—“

“Now who’s rambling?” Ludwig closed his eyes. Matthew’s fingertips were still by his hairline and he could feel Matthew’s eyes on his face.

“Ludwig?”

“May I kiss you Matthew?”

Matthew didn’t respond. He just kissed Ludwig.

#gercan #gercanada #ludwig acidentally summons a demon and then opens a bakery with him #aph: germany #aph: canada #aph: america #aph: prussia #aph: england #the reason why ludwig left law is definitely ripped straight from law & order #dun dun

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dailybiblelessons · 4 years ago

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Wednesday: Reflection on the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Revised Common Lectionary Proper 13 Roman Catholic Proper 18

Complementary Hebrew Scripture Torah Lesson: Exodus 16:2-15, 31-35

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

The house of Israel called it manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.” As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant, for safekeeping. The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.¹

¹One reading of Acts 13:18 is “For about forty years God cared for them in the wilderness.”

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Latter Prophets: Isaiah 43:1-7

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth—¹ everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

¹Paul refers to this verse indirectly in 2 Corinthians 6 where he urges believers not to be matched with unbelievers.

Semi-continuous Psalm 78:1-8, 17-29

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old.¹ things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Even though he struck the rock so that water gushed out and torrents overflowed, can he also give bread, or provide meat for his people?”

Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of rage; a fire was kindled against Jacob, his anger mounted against Israel, because they had no faith in God, and did not trust his saving power. Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven. Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance. He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; he rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; he let them fall within their camp, all around their dwellings. And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.

¹Jesus quotes this passage in Matthew 13:35, a chapter in which he tells a series of parables.

Semi-continuous Psalm 17:1-7, 15

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.

If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Matthew 15:32-39

There is a parallel passage at Mark 8:1-10.

Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

Year A Ordinary 18, RCL Proper 13, Catholic Proper 18 Wednesday

Bible verses from The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All right reserved. Selections from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright 1985 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Image Credit: The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes by James Tissot via Wikimedia Commons. This is a public domain image.

#A Ordinary 18 Wednesday #quail #manna #feeding the multitude #feeding four thousand #redeemed #called by name #miracles by Jesus

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berkshirehhomes · 7 years ago

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10 Great Places To Grab A Drink In Jacksonville

http://ift.tt/1QKV1On

There are so many great bars and restaurants in the city of Jacksonville to get a beer, wine, cocktails, and to meet new people and make new friends. Whether you’re looking to check out a new watering hole or you’re visiting from out of town and need to know where to go, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten great places to grab a drink in Jacksonville. Cheers!

10. MOJO no.4 Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar

A post shared by 904 Happy Hour (@904happyhour) on May 31, 2017 at 12:01pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js MOJO no. 4 Urban BBQ Whiskey Bar is a Southern barbeque joint that doubles as a fun cocktail bar. Their signature drinks include a pineapple sour, a huckleberry mojito, and a margarita made with agave nectar and smoked salt. It’s also only three dollars for a shot of whiskey and their menu is endless.

9. Matthew’s Restaurant

A post shared by Bourbonr.com (@bourbonr) on Apr 25, 2017 at 5:24pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js The wine cellar at upscale hotspot Matthew’s Restaurant is temperature controlled and houses approximately two thousand bottles. The extensive wine list is hand-selected by their sommelier and the staff is trained to recommend the right wine to pair with your food and to complement your tastes.

8. Aardwolf Brewing Company

A post shared by Aardwolf Brewing (@aardwolf_brew) on Oct 11, 2017 at 12:44pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js The Aardwolf Brewing Company knows their stuff when it comes to beer. Their beer list is as wide-ranging as is it delicious. “Beards To The Bar” is a milkshake IPA with raspberries, peaches, and vanilla. “Bees?!” is made with honey, hibiscus, and orange peel. And the “El Mariachi” is a spiced imperial stout with cacao nibs, cinnamon, and ancho chilies.

7. Intuition Ale Works

A post shared by intuition_ale_works (@intuition_ale_works) on Oct 19, 2017 at 1:47pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js The brews at Intuition Ale Works are a cut above the rest. The “All Night Diner” is a BBQ breakfast stout brewed with smoked and roasted malts, oats, local Bold Bean Coffee, and maple syrup. The “No Schmoes Gose” is a traditional German-style wheat ale with sea salt and coriander.

6. Bistro Aix

A post shared by Bistro AIX (@bistroaix) on Aug 25, 2017 at 10:59am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js Don’t miss out on happy hour at Bistro Aix. Their handcrafted cocktails include the “Lefty Special” made with Pabst Blue Ribbon with a shot of Four Roses Yellow Label or Fernet Branca. The “Aixoise Martini” is comprised of vodka, olive juice, and blue cheese. Not to mention numerous wines, beers, and food options like pizza and prime hand-ground beef burgers!

5. Topgolf

A post shared by Topgolf (@topgolf) on Oct 14, 2017 at 9:39am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js You can drink and play at Topgolf – making it a great place to bring a date or to get your friends together. Their “Washington Apple Cocktail” is made with apple whiskey, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Their “Pineapple Punch” is served in a signature take-home mug. And they have three different margaritas on the menu, including one made with fresh strawberries and jalapeño vodka.

4. The Candy Apple Café & Cocktails

A post shared by The Candy Apple Cafe (@candyapplecafe) on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:40pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js Named one of Jacksonville’s best new restaurants, The Candy Apple Café & Cocktails boasts good food and great drinks. “Sweet Pete’s Watermelon Sour” is comprised of rum, watermelon puree, watermelon pucker, lime juice, and a sour watermelon gummy. “The Golden Ticket” contains black coconut rum, orange liqueur, house-made sour mix, and pineapple juice.

3. Whiskey Jax

A post shared by Whiskey Jax (@whiskeyjaxfl) on Jul 18, 2017 at 6:51pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js With great drink deals throughout the week, you know you’re bound to have a good time at Whiskey Jax. This gastropub specializes in whiskey and craft beer. Happy hour is from 4 pm to 7 pm throughout the week and 2 pm to 7 pm on Friday, when they do a dollar off of craft drafts and domestic drafts are three dollars, cocktails range between four to five dollars and appetizers are only five bucks!

2. Black Sheep Restaurant

A post shared by ketchuponeverything (@ketchuponeverything561) on Nov 4, 2017 at 3:29pm PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js The bartenders at Black Sheep Restaurant can make a mean cocktail. The “Exit Sage Left” is a bourbon-based drink with sage syrup and blackstrap bitters. The “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” tastes like orange and chocolate. And the “Faux Croix” contains vodka, grapefruit, hibiscus syrup, lime, and tropical bitters.

1. b b ’s

A post shared by bb’s restaurant and bar (@bbsrestaurant) on Oct 30, 2017 at 11:39am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js “A groovy place to b” – b b ‘s does wine and handcrafted cocktails like no other. Their drink menu includes a long list of by-the-glass wine selections, and their cocktails are made with top quality liquor and fresh ingredients. Like the “Cozy Nights” done with vanilla vodka, cinnamon rum cream, and served with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Sources:

http://ift.tt/2i2agrA

http://ift.tt/2AurTa5

http://ift.tt/1fEO8HN

from 10 Great Places To Grab A Drink In Jacksonville

#10 Great Places To Grab A Drink In Jacksonville

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tpanan · 7 years ago

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My Monday Daily Blessings

August 7, 2017

Be still quiet your heart and mind, the LORD is here, loving you talking to you...........

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Roman Rite Calendar)

Lectionary 407

First Reading: Nm 11:4b-15

The children of Israel lamented, "Would that we had meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna." Manna was like coriander seed and had the color of resin. When they had gone about and gathered it up, the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar, then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves, which tasted like cakes made with oil. At night, when the dew fell upon the camp, the manna also fell.

When Moses heard the people, family after family, crying at the entrance of their tents, so that the LORD became very angry, he was grieved. "Why do you treat your servant so badly?" Moses asked the LORD. "Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with all this people? Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers? Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, 'Give us meat for our food.' I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress."

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 81: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17

"Sing with joy to GOD our help."

Verse before the Gospel: Matthew 4:4

Alelluia, Alelluia

"One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."

Alelluia, Alelluia

Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:13-21

Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

**Meditation:

What can truly satisfy our deepest hunger and longing? Wherever Jesus went multitudes of people gathered to meet him - people from every part of society - rich and poor, professionals and laborers, even social outcasts and pagans. What drew them to Jesus? Were they simply curious or looking for a healing? Many were drawn to Jesus because they were hungry for God. Jesus' message of God's kingdom and the signs and wonders he performed stirred fresh hope and expectation that God was acting in a new and powerful way to set people free from sin and oppression and to bring them the blessings of his kingdom.

God never rests in caring for our needs Jesus never disappointed those who earnestly sought him out. We see a marvelous example of this when Jesus and his twelve disciples got into the boat to seek out a lonely place for some rest along the lake of Galilee, only to discover a crowd of a few thousand people had already gathered in anticipation of their arrival! Did Jesus' disciples resent this intrusion on their plan to rest awhile? Jesus certainly didn't - he welcomed them with open-arms. His compassion showed the depths of God's love and care for his people. Jesus spoke the word of God to strengthen them in faith and he healed many who were sick.

God multiplies the little we have to bring great blessing to others As evening approached the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away. Jesus, instead, commanded his disciples to feed the whole crowd. Why did Jesus expect his disciples to do what seemed impossible - to feed such a large and hungry crowd when there was no adequate provision in sight? Jesus very likely wanted to test their faith and to give them a sign of God's divine intervention and favor for his people. Jesus took the little they had - five loaves and two fish - and giving thanks to his heavenly Father, distributed to all until they were satisfied of their hunger. Twelves baskets full of fish and loaves that were leftover show the overflowing generosity of God's gifts to us - gifts that bring blessing, healing, strength, and refreshment.

Bread from heaven to sustain us on our journey Jesus' feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospel accounts (Luke 9:10-17, Mark 6:34-44, John 6:51-58, Matthew 14:13-21). What is the significance of this miracle? The miraculous feeding of such a great multitude recalled the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness under Moses' leadership and intercession for his people (Exodus 16). The daily provision of food for the people of Israel during their forty years of journeying in the barren wilderness foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would pass on to his disciples at his last supper meal on the eve of his sacrifice on the cross.

Jesus makes a claim which only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience (John 6:32-35). The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, when Jesus said the blessing, broke and distributed the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, is a sign that prefigures the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper which sustains us on our journey to the kingdom of heaven.

God multiplies the little we have so we can bring his blessing to others The feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of God and his great kindness towards us. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may have something to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the good of others. Do you trust in God's provision for you and do you share freely with others, especially those who lack?

**Prayer:

"Lord Jesus Christ, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and you feed us with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). Fill me with gratitude for your blessings and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others what you have given to me."

Sources:

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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araitsume · 8 years ago

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Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 291-302: Chapter (26) From the Red Sea to Sinai

This chapter is based on Exodus 15:22-27; 16 to 18.

From the Red Sea the hosts of Israel again set forth on their journey, under the guidance of the pillar of cloud. The scene around them was most dreary—bare, desolate-looking mountains, barren plains, and the sea stretching far away, its shores strewn with the bodies of their enemies; yet they were full of joy in the consciousness of freedom, and every thought of discontent was hushed.

But for three days, as they journeyed, they could find no water. The supply which they had taken with them was exhausted. There was nothing to quench their burning thirst as they dragged wearily over the sun-burnt plains. Moses, who was familiar with this region, knew what the others did not, that at Marah, the nearest station where springs were to be found, the water was unfit for use. With intense anxiety he watched the guiding cloud. With a sinking heart he heard the glad shout. “Water! water!” echoed along the line. Men, women, and children in joyous haste crowded to the fountain, when, lo, a cry of anguish burst forth from the host—the water was bitter.

In their horror and despair they reproached Moses for having led them in such a way, not remembering that the divine presence in that mysterious cloud had been leading him as well as them. In his grief at their distress Moses did what they had forgotten to do; he cried earnestly to God for help. “And the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” Here the promise was given to Israel through Moses, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”

From Marah the people journeyed to Elim, where they found “twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees.” Here they remained several days before entering the wilderness of Sin. When they had been a month absent from Egypt, they made their first encampment in the wilderness. Their store of provisions had now begun to fail. There was scanty herbage in the wilderness, and their flocks were diminishing. How was food to be supplied for these vast multitudes? Doubts filled their hearts, and again they murmured. Even the rulers and elders of the people joined in complaining against the leaders of God's appointment: “Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

They had not as yet suffered from hunger; their present wants were supplied, but they feared for the future. They could not understand how these vast multitudes were to subsist in their travels through the wilderness, and in imagination they saw their children famishing. The Lord permitted difficulties to surround them, and their supply of food to be cut short, that their hearts might turn to Him who had hitherto been their Deliverer. If in their want they would call upon Him, He would still grant them manifest tokens of His love and care. He had promised that if they would obey His commandments, no disease should come upon them, and it was sinful unbelief on their part to anticipate that they or their children might die for hunger.

God had promised to be their God, to take them to Himself as a people, and to lead them to a large and good land; but they were ready to faint at every obstacle encountered in the way to that land. In a marvelous manner He had brought them out from their bondage in Egypt, that He might elevate and ennoble them and make them a praise in the earth. But it was necessary for them to encounter difficulties and to endure privations. God was bringing them from a state of degradation and fitting them to occupy an honorable place among the nations and to receive important and sacred trusts. Had they possessed faith in Him, in view of all that He had wrought for them, they would cheerfully have borne inconvenience, privation, and even real suffering; but they were unwilling to trust the Lord any further than they could witness the continual evidences of His power. They forgot their bitter service in Egypt. They forgot the goodness and power of God displayed in their behalf in their deliverance from bondage. They forgot how their children had been spared when the destroying angel slew all the first-born of Egypt. They forgot the grand exhibition of divine power at the Red Sea. They forgot that while they had crossed safely in the path that had been opened for them, the armies of their enemies, attempting to follow them, had been overwhelmed by the waters of the sea. They saw and felt only their present inconveniences and trials; and instead of saying, “God has done great things for us; whereas we were slaves, He is making of us a great nation,” they talked of the hardness of the way, and wondered when their weary pilgrimage would end.

The history of the wilderness life of Israel was chronicled for the benefit of the Israel of God to the close of time. The record of God's dealings with the wanderers of the desert in all their marchings to and fro, in their exposure to hunger, thirst, and weariness, and in the striking manifestations of His power for their relief, is fraught with warning and instruction for His people in all ages. The varied experience of the Hebrews was a school of preparation for their promised home in Canaan. God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan.

Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining.

Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things. It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care. But our Lord does not tell us that there are no dangers in our path. He does not propose to take His people out of the world of sin and evil, but He points us to a never-failing refuge. He invites the weary and care-laden, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Lay off the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and “take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29. We may find rest and peace in God, casting all our care upon Him; for He careth for us. See 1 Peter 5:7.

Says the apostle Paul, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”Hebrews 3:12. In view of all that God has wrought for us, our faith should be strong, active, and enduring. Instead of murmuring and complaining, the language of our hearts should be, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:1, 2.

God was not unmindful of the wants of Israel. He said to their leader, “I will rain bread from heaven for you.” And directions were given that the people gather a daily supply, with a double amount on the sixth day, that the sacred observance of the Sabbath might be maintained.

Moses assured the congregation that their wants were to be supplied: “The Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full.” And he added, “What are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.” He further bade Aaron say to them, “Come near before the Lord: for He hath heard your murmurings.” While Aaron was speaking, “they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” A splendor such as they had never witnessed symbolized the divine Presence. Through manifestations addressed to their senses, they were to obtain a knowledge of God. They must be taught that the Most High, and not merely the man Moses, was their leader, that they might fear His name and obey His voice.

At nightfall the camp was surrounded by vast flocks of quails, enough to supply the entire company. In the morning there lay upon the surface of the ground “a small round thing, as small as the hoarfrost.” “It was like coriander seed, white.” The people called it “manna.” Moses said, “This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.” The people gathered the manna, and found that there was an abundant supply for all. They “ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it.” Numbers 11:8. “And the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” They were directed to gather daily an omer for every person; and they were not to leave of it until the morning. Some attempted to keep a supply until the next day, but it was then found to be unfit for food. The provision for the day must be gathered in the morning; for all that remained upon the ground was melted by the sun.

In the gathering of the manna it was found that some obtained more and some less than the stipulated amount; but “when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack.” An explanation of this scripture, as well as a practical lesson from it, is given by the apostle Paul in his second epistle to the Corinthians. He says, “I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15.

On the sixth day the people gathered two omers for every person. The rulers hastened to acquaint Moses with what had been done. His answer was, “This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” They did so, and found that it remained unchanged. “And Moses said, Eat that today; for today is a Sabbath unto the Lord: today ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.”

God requires that His holy day be as sacredly observed now as in the time of Israel. The command given to the Hebrews should be regarded by all Christians as an injunction from Jehovah to them. The day before the Sabbath should be made a day of preparation, that everything may be in readiness for its sacred hours. In no case should our own business be allowed to encroach upon holy time. God has directed that the sick and suffering be cared for; the labor required to make them comfortable is a work of mercy, and no violation of the Sabbath; but all unnecessary work should be avoided. Many carelessly put off till the beginning of the Sabbath little things that might have been done on the day of preparation. This should not be. Work that is neglected until the beginning of the Sabbath should remain undone until it is past. This course might help the memory of these thoughtless ones, and make them careful to do their own work on the six working days.

Every week during their long sojourn in the wilderness the Israelites witnessed a threefold miracle, designed to impress their minds with the sacredness of the Sabbath: a double quantity of manna fell on the sixth day, none on the seventh, and the portion needed for the Sabbath was preserved sweet and pure, when if any were kept over at any other time it became unfit for use.

In the circumstances connected with the giving of the manna, we have conclusive evidence that the Sabbath was not instituted, as many claim, when the law was given at Sinai. Before the Israelites came to Sinai they understood the Sabbath to be obligatory upon them. In being obliged to gather every Friday a double portion of manna in preparation for the Sabbath, when none would fall, the sacred nature of the day of rest was continually impressed upon them. And when some of the people went out on the Sabbath to gather manna, the Lord asked, “How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?”

“The children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited: they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.” For forty years they were daily reminded by this miraculous provision, of God's unfailing care and tender love. In the words of the psalmist, God gave them “of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels’ food” (Psalm 78:24, 25)—that is, food provided for them by the angels. Sustained by “the corn of heaven,” they were daily taught that, having God's promise, they were as secure from want as if surrounded by fields of waving grain on the fertile plains of Canaan.

The manna, falling from heaven for the sustenance of Israel, was a type of Him who came from God to give life to the world. Said Jesus, “I am that Bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven.... If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:48-51. And among the promises of blessing to God's people in the future life it is written, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.” Revelation 2:17.

After leaving the wilderness of Sin, the Israelites encamped in Rephidim. Here there was no water, and again they distrusted the providence of God. In their blindness and presumption the people came to Moses with the demand, “Give us water that we may drink.” But his patience failed not. “Why chide ye with me?” he said; “wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?” They cried in anger, “Wherefore is this, that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” When they had been so abundantly supplied with food, they remembered with shame their unbelief and murmurings, and promised to trust the Lord in the future; but they soon forgot their promise, and failed at the first trial of their faith. The pillar of cloud that was leading them seemed to veil a fearful mystery. And Moses—who was he? they questioned, and what could be his object in bringing them from Egypt? Suspicion and distrust filled their hearts, and they boldly accused him of designing to kill them and their children by privations and hardships that he might enrich himself with their possessions. In the tumult of rage and indignation they were about to stone him.

In distress Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do unto this people?” He was directed to take the elders of Israel and the rod wherewith he had wrought wonders in Egypt, and to go on before the people. And the Lord said unto him, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.” He obeyed, and the waters burst forth in a living stream that abundantly supplied the encampment. Instead of commanding Moses to lift up his rod and call down some terrible plague, like those on Egypt, upon the leaders in this wicked murmuring, the Lord in His great mercy made the rod His instrument to work their deliverance.

“He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.” Psalm 78:15, 16. Moses smote the rock, but it was the Son of God who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, stood beside Moses, and caused the life-giving water to flow. Not only Moses and the elders, but all the congregation who stood at a distance, beheld the glory of the Lord; but had the cloud been removed, they would have been slain by the terrible brightness of Him who abode therein.

In their thirst the people had tempted God, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”—“If God has brought us here, why does He not give us water as well as bread?” The unbelief thus manifested was criminal, and Moses feared that the judgments of God would rest upon them. And he called the name of the place Massah, “temptation,” and Meribah, “chiding,” as a memorial of their sin.

A new danger now threatened them. Because of their murmuring against Him, the Lord suffered them to be attacked by their enemies. The Amalekites, a fierce, warlike tribe inhabiting that region, came out against them and smote those who, faint and weary, had fallen into the rear. Moses, knowing that the masses of the people were unprepared for battle, directed Joshua to choose from the different tribes a body of soldiers, and lead them on the morrow against the enemy, while he himself would stand on an eminence near by with the rod of God in his hand. Accordingly the next day Joshua and his company attacked the foe, while Moses and Aaron and Hur were stationed on a hill overlooking the battlefield. With arms outstretched toward heaven, and holding the rod of God in his right hand, Moses prayed for the success of the armies of Israel. As the battle progressed, it was observed that so long as his hands were reaching upward, Israel prevailed, but when they were lowered, the enemy was victorious. As Moses became weary, Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands until the going down of the sun, when the enemy was put to flight.

As Aaron and Hur supported the hands of Moses, they showed the people their duty to sustain him in his arduous work while he should receive the word from God to speak to them. And the act of Moses also was significant, showing that God held their destiny in His hands; while they made Him their trust, He would fight for them and subdue their enemies; but when they should let go their hold upon Him, and trust in their own power, they would be even weaker than those who had not the knowledge of God, and their foes would prevail against them.

As the Hebrews triumphed when Moses was reaching his hands toward heaven and interceding in their behalf, so the Israel of God prevail when they by faith take hold upon the strength of their mighty Helper. Yet divine strength is to be combined with human effort. Moses did not believe that God would overcome their foes while Israel remained inactive. While the great leader was pleading with the Lord, Joshua and his brave followers were putting forth their utmost efforts to repulse the enemies of Israel and of God.

After the defeat of the Amalekites, God directed Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” Just before his death the great leader delivered to his people the solemn charge: “Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.... Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.” Deuteronomy 25:17-19. Concerning this wicked people the Lord declared, “The hand of Amalek is against the throne of Jehovah.” Exodus 17:16, margin.

The Amalekites were not ignorant of God's character or of His sovereignty, but instead of fearing before Him, they had set themselves to defy His power. The wonders wrought by Moses before the Egyptians were made a subject of mockery by the people of Amalek, and the fears of surrounding nations were ridiculed. They had taken oath by their gods that they would destroy the Hebrews, so that not one should escape, and they boasted that Israel's God would be powerless to resist them. They had not been injured or threatened by the Israelites. Their assault was wholly unprovoked. It was to manifest their hatred and defiance of God that they sought to destroy His people. The Amalekites had long been high-handed sinners, and their crimes had cried to God for vengeance, yet His mercy had still called them to repentance; but when the men of Amalek fell upon the wearied and defenseless ranks of Israel, they sealed their nation's doom. The care of God is over the weakest of His children. No act of cruelty or oppression toward them is unmarked by Heaven. Over all who love and fear Him, His hand extends as a shield; let men beware that they smite not that hand; for it wields the sword of justice.

Not far distant from where the Israelites were now encamped was the home of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. Jethro had heard of the deliverance of the Hebrews, and he now set out to visit them, and restore to Moses his wife and two sons. The great leader was informed by messengers of their approach, and he went out with joy to meet them, and, the first greetings over, conducted them to his tent. He had sent back his family when on his way to the perils of leading Israel from Egypt, but now he could again enjoy the relief and comfort of their society. To Jethro he recounted the wonderful dealings of God with Israel, and the patriarch rejoiced and blessed the Lord, and with Moses and the elders he united in offering sacrifice and holding a solemn feast in commemoration of God's mercy.

As Jethro remained in the camp, he soon saw how heavy were the burdens that rested upon Moses. To maintain order and discipline among that vast, ignorant, and untrained multitude was indeed a stupendous task. Moses was their recognized leader and magistrate, and not only the general interests and duties of the people, but the controversies that arose among them, were referred to him. He had permitted this, for it gave him an opportunity to instruct them; as he said, “I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.” But Jethro remonstrated against this, saying, “This thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.” “Thou wilt surely wear away,” and he counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands, and others as rulers of hundreds, and others of tens. They should be “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” These were to judge in all matters of minor consequence, while the most difficult and important cases should still be brought before Moses, who was to be to the people, said Jethro, “to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.” This counsel was accepted, and it not only brought relief to Moses, but resulted in establishing more perfect order among the people.

The Lord had greatly honored Moses, and had wrought wonders by his hand; but the fact that he had been chosen to instruct others did not lead him to conclude that he himself needed no instruction. The chosen leader of Israel listened gladly to the suggestions of the godly priest of Midian, and adopted his plan as a wise arrangement.

From Rephidim the people continued their journey, following the movement of the cloudy pillar. Their route had led across barren plains, over steep ascents, and through rocky defiles. Often as they had traversed the sandy wastes, they had seen before them rugged mountains, like huge bulwarks, piled up directly across their course, and seeming to forbid all further progress. But as they approached, openings here and there appeared in the mountain wall, and beyond, another plain opened to view. Through one of the deep, gravelly passes they were now led. It was a grand and impressive scene. Between the rocky cliffs rising hundreds of feet on either side, flowed in a living tide, far as the eye could reach, the hosts of Israel with their flocks and herds. And now before them in solemn majesty Mount Sinai lifted its massive front. The cloudy pillar rested upon its summit, and the people spread their tents upon the plain beneath. Here was to be their home for nearly a year. At night the pillar of fire assured them of the divine protection, and while they were locked in slumber, the bread of heaven fell gently upon the encampment.

The dawn gilded the dark ridges of the mountains, and the sun's golden rays pierced the deep gorges, seeming to these weary travelers like beams of mercy from the throne of God. On every hand vast, rugged heights seemed in their solitary grandeur to speak of eternal endurance and majesty. Here the mind was impressed with solemnity and awe. Man was made to feel his ignorance and weakness in the presence of Him who “weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance.” Isaiah 40:12. Here Israel was to receive the most wonderful revelation ever made by God to men. Here the Lord had gathered His people that He might impress upon them the sacredness of His requirements by declaring with His own voice His holy law. Great and radical changes were to be wrought in them; for the degrading influences of servitude and a long-continued association with idolatry had left their mark upon habits and character. God was working to lift them to a higher moral level by giving them a knowledge of Himself.

#egw #Ellen G. White #Christianity #God #Jesus Christ #Moses #the exodus #faith #sanctification #God's providence #patriarchs and prophets #conflict of the ages

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 1 year ago

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7th August >> Mass Readings (USA)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

Saint Cajetan, Priest.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Numbers 11:4b-15 I cannot carry all this people by myself.

The children of Israel lamented, “Would that we had meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna.” Manna was like coriander seed and had the color of resin. When they had gone about and gathered it up, the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar, then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves, which tasted like cakes made with oil. At night, when the dew fell upon the camp, the manna also fell.

When Moses heard the people, family after family, crying at the entrance of their tents, so that the LORD became very angry, he was grieved. “Why do you treat your servant so badly?” Moses asked the LORD. “Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with all this people? Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers? Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, ‘Give us meat for our food.’ I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“My people heard not my voice, and Israel obeyed me not; So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts; they walked according to their own counsels.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, Quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn my hand.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“Those who hated the LORD would seek to flatter me, but their fate would endure forever, While Israel I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia. One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading Wisdom 3:1-9 As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

R/ Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Gospel Acclamation James 1:12

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 10:28-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Cajetan, Priest

(Liturgical Colour: White: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading Sirach 2:7-11 You who fear the Lord, believe in him, hope in him, love him.

You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. You who fear the Lord, love him and your hearts will be enlightened. Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken? Has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed? Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

An evil report he shall not fear. His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor, his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 12:32-34 Your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

0 notes

roman-catholic-mass-readings · 3 years ago

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2nd August >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop

Saint Peter Julian Eymard.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Numbers 11:4-15

The sons of Israel complain in the desert.

The manna was like coriander seed, and had the appearance of bdellium. The people went round gathering it, and ground it in a mill or crushed it with a pestle; it was then cooked in a pot and made into pancakes. It tasted like cake made with oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night-time, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people wailing, every family at the door of its tent. The anger of the Lord flared out, and Moses greatly worried over this. And he spoke to the Lord:

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 80(81):12-17

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

My people did not heed my voice and Israel would not obey, so I left them in their stubbornness of heart to follow their own designs.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

O that my people would heed me, that Israel would walk in my ways! At once I would subdue their foes, turn my hand against their enemies.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet and their subjection would last for ever. But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and fill them with honey from the rock.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

Gospel Acclamation

John 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!

Or:

Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 14:13-21

The feeding of the five thousand.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading

1 John 5:1-5

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has already overcome the world.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God; and whoever loves the Father that begot him loves the child whom he begets. We can be sure that we love God’s children if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us; this is what loving God is – keeping his commandments; and his commandments are not difficult, because anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world; this is the victory over the world – our faith.

Who can overcome the world? Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.”’

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia! How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12

How happy are the poor in spirit.

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven: this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Peter Julian Eymard

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul.

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33(34):2-11

R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.

R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.

R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.

R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.

The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Revere the Lord, you his saints. They lack nothing, those who revere him. Strong lions suffer want and go hungry but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

R/ Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Gospel Acclamation

John 15:4,5

Alleluia, alleluia! Make your home in me, as I make mine in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty. Alleluia!

Gospel

John 15:1-8

I am the vine, you are the branches.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you. Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit, and then you will be my disciples.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

5 notes · View notes

roman-catholic-mass-readings · 3 years ago

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2nd August >> Mass Readings (USA)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop

Saint Peter Julian Eymard.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Numbers 11:4b-15

I cannot carry all this people by myself.

Manna was like coriander seed and had the color of resin. When they had gone about and gathered it up, the people would grind it between millstones or pound it in a mortar, then cook it in a pot and make it into loaves, which tasted like cakes made with oil. At night, when the dew fell upon the camp, the manna also fell.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“My people heard not my voice, and Israel obeyed me not; So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts; they walked according to their own counsels.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, Quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn my hand.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“Those who hated the LORD would seek to flatter me, but their fate would endure forever, While Israel I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia. One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 14:13-21

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading

1 John 5:1-5

The victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 21-22, 25 and 27

R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.”

R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.”

R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted. He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’”

R/ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12a

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Peter Julian Eymard

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35

The community of believers was of one heart and mind.

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R/ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear and be glad.

R/ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

R/ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

R/ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

R/ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear him. The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.

R/ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

John 15:4a, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

John 15:1-8

Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 5 years ago

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5th August >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Numbers 11:4-15

The sons of Israel complain in the desert

Moses heard the people wailing, every family at the door of its tent. The anger of the Lord flared out, and Moses greatly worried over this. And he spoke to the Lord:

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 80(81):12-17

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

My people did not heed my voice

and Israel would not obey,

so I left them in their stubbornness of heart

to follow their own designs.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

O that my people would heed me,

that Israel would walk in my ways!

At once I would subdue their foes,

turn my hand against their enemies.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet

and their subjection would last for ever.

But Israel I would feed with finest wheat

and fill them with honey from the rock.

R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength.

Gospel Acclamation

John 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

No one can come to the Father except through me.

Alleluia!

Or:

Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia!

Man does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 14:13-21

The feeding of the five thousand

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

——————————

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial

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

First Reading

Apocalypse 21:1-5

A vision of the heavenly Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.’

Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: ‘Now I am making the whole of creation new.’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Judith 13:18a-19

R/ You are the highest honour of our race!

May you be blessed, my daughter, by God Most High,

beyond all women on earth;

and may the Lord God be blessed,

the Creator of heaven and earth.

R/ You are the highest honour of our race!

The trust you have shown

shall not pass from the memories of men,

but shall ever remind them

of the power of God.

R/ You are the highest honour of our race!

Gospel Acclamation

Luke 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy are those

who hear the word of God

and keep it.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 11:27-28

'Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!'

As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 5 years ago

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5th August >> Mass Readings (USA)

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Monday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Numbers 11:4b-15

I cannot carry all this people by myself.

When Moses heard the people, family after family, crying at the entrance of their tents, so that the Lord became very angry, he was grieved. “Why do you treat your servant so badly?” Moses asked the Lord. “Why are you so displeased with me that you burden me with all this people? Was it I who conceived all this people? Or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my bosom, like a foster father carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers? Where can I get meat to give to all this people? For they are crying to me, ‘Give us meat for our food.’ I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“My people heard not my voice,

and Israel obeyed me not;

So I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts;

they walked according to their own counsels.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“If only my people would hear me,

and Israel walk in my ways,

Quickly would I humble their enemies;

against their foes I would turn my hand.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

“Those who hated the Lord would seek to flatter me,

but their fate would endure forever,

While Israel I would feed with the best of wheat,

and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”

R/ Sing with joy to God our help.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia.

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 14:13-21

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

———————————

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial

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

First Reading

Revelation 21:1-5a

I saw a new Jerusalem, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”

The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Judith 13:18bcde, 19

R/ You are the highest honor of our race.

Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,

above all the women on earth;

and blessed be the Lord God,

the creator of heaven and earth.

R/ You are the highest honor of our race.

Your deed of hope will never be forgotten

by those who tell of the might of God.

R/ You are the highest honor of our race.

Gospel Acclamation

Luke 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God

and observe it.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 11:27-28

Blessed is the womb that carried you.

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

2 notes · View notes

roman-catholic-mass-readings · 7 years ago

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7th August >> Mass Readings (Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada & Southern Africa)

for

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

Saint Cajetan, Priest.

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green) First Reading Numbers 11:4-15 The sons of Israel began to wail, ‘Who will give us meat to eat?’ they said. ‘Think of the fish we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic! Here we are wasting away, stripped of everything; there is nothing but manna for us to look at!’ The manna was like coriander seed, and had the appearance of bdellium. The people went round gathering it, and ground it in a mill or crushed it with a pestle; it was then cooked in a pot and made into pancakes. It tasted like cake made with oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night-time, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people wailing, every family at the door of its tent. The anger of the Lord flared out, and Moses greatly worried over this. And he spoke to the Lord: ‘Why do you treat your servant so badly? Why have I not found favour with you, so that you load on me the weight of all this nation? Was it I who conceived all this people, was it I who gave them birth, that you should say to me, “Carry them in your bosom, like a nurse with a baby at the breast, to the land that I swore to give their fathers”? Where am I to find meat to give to all this people, when they come worrying me so tearfully and say, “Give us meat to eat”? I am not able to carry this nation by myself alone; the weight is too much for me. If this is how you want to deal with me, I would rather you killed me! If only I had found favour in your eyes, and not lived to see such misery as this!’ The Word of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 80(81):12-17 R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength. My people did not heed my voice and Israel would not obey, so I left them in their stubbornness of heart to follow their own designs. R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength. O that my people would heed me, that Israel would walk in my ways! At once I would subdue their foes, turn my hand against their enemies. R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength. The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet and their subjection would last for ever. But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and fill them with honey from the rock. R/ Ring out your joy to God our strength. Gospel Acclamation John 14:6 Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia! Or Matthew 4:4 Alleluia, alleluia! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia! Gospel Matthew 14:13-21 When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children. The Gospel of the Lord. R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. -----------

Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

(Liturgical Colour: Red) First Reading Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen. The Word of the Lord R/ Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 125(126):1-6 R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves. R/ Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. Gospel Acclamation James 1:12 Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the man who stands firm, for he has proved himself, and will win the crown of life. Alleluia! Gospel Matthew 10:28-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body Jesus said to his apostles: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’ The Gospel of the Lord. R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. -----------

Saint Cajetan, Priest

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 2:7-13 You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside in case you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be baulked of your reward. You who fear the Lord hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy. Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken? Or who ever called out to him, and was ignored? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress. The Word of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 111(112):1-9 R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia! Happy the man who fears the Lord, who takes delight in all his commands. His sons will be powerful on earth; the children of the upright are blessed. R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia! Riches and wealth are in his house; his justice stands firm for ever. He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just. R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia! The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever. R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia! He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. With a steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see the downfall of his foes. R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia! Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory. R/ Happy the man who fears the Lord. or R/ Alleluia! Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3 Alleluia, alleluia! How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia! Gospel Luke 12:32-34 Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. ‘Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ The Gospel of the Lord.

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

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