AGAPAS ME

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” — Mt 7:13-14

I love Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy Stories” (which is based on a lecture given). It can be found in The Tolkien Reader (I highly recommend the book). It’s in here, that one of my favorite quotes intersects with the Gospel:

Children are meant to grow up, and not to become Peter Pans. Not to lose innocence and wonder, but to proceed on the appointed journey: that journey upon which it is certainly not better to travel hopefully than to arrive, though we must travel hopefully if we are to arrive. But it is one of the lessons of fairy-stories (if we can speak of the lessons of things that do not lecture) that on callow, lumpish, and selfish youth peril, sorrow, and the shadow of death can bestow dignity, and even sometimes wisdom.

It is the life of prayer, life lived through prayer, and living life as prayer where the journey becomes a fairy story. If faerie is a supernatural land, then we are well suited as natural and supernatural beings. The travels are full of peril and wonder. And it is sacramental, where the natural points to the supernatural mysteries. Peril and wonder, the wide and narrow road, the choices that we make are all part of growing up, the life lived. We have a journey toward heaven, not an easy road to find or follow, but a road made easier by the Shepherd, a guide in our fairy tale and hoped for happy ending.

Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Abortion is the Ring of Power, the One Ring. The nine rings of torture kneel to it. The seven rings of incontinent sex bow down to it. The three rings of science are enslaved to it.

Destroy the Ring of Power.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
   One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
   One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Destroy the Ring of Power.

“(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” — Mt 6:1

It’s hard not to crave the notice of your peers. I guess that betrays a certain lack of trust or faith.

But it requires a lot more trust and faith to believe transubstantiation has occurred during the consecration at Mass. We have to trust the Magisterium of our day and Tradition of ages long ago and a reading of Scripture that says that which our eyes perceive and which our tongues taste is truly the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s faith! And it should teach us something. “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” Jn 6:68-69

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“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” — Mt 6:8

We can pray, and through prayer we can establish a personal relationship with God. And so Jesus taught us how to pray, “This is how you are to pray: Our Father…” (Mt 6:9)

See…
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1c1a2.htm
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2.htm

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” — Mt 5:4

During the Presentation of baby Jesus at the temple, our blessed mother, Mary, is told by Simeon: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Lk 2:33-34

From Mary’s Fiat (i.e. “May it be done to me according to your word” Lk 1:38), we know that Mary accepted the sword that pierced her soul, the crucifixion of her Son, Jesus Christ.

How different this is from Simon Peter’s story. He denies Christ three times. And then he is given a chance to state his love of Christ three times. But I sense that our impetuous and impatient (Mt 16:13-23, Lk 9:33, Jn 13:36-38) Peter is not ready to accept his fate. So the Risen Christ tells him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” (Jn 21:18-19)

Today I went to Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Cathedral for Liturgy (i.e. the Eastern Catholic way of saying “going to Mass”). It is during the Annunciation that Mary proclaims her Fiat.

Later this day, I was emcee for Birthright of Hudson-Marlboro’s 30th anniversary celebration. People were kind enough to say that I did a good job, but I realize that I need to work on my impatience, that nervous need to get off the stage NOW. I know that once I accepted the moment, and desired that it last as long as it need last, the nervous stage fright left me. Perhaps, next year, if Birthright “hires” me, I will do a better job.

It seems that things are going according to the Lord’s plan. Pax vobiscum.