Theology on a communion rail

communion rail section. p. 1918. Saint Colman, Cleveland, O.
Saint Colman church in Cleveland did not suffer remodeling after Vatican II. It is a magnificent place for a mass. The irish, who had made it off the boat, were expanding in resources and settling in; some had grandchildren born in the new country. In the middle of Cleveland's westside they built a new church for a parish, during the years of the great war, the european war, the war to end all wars.

In the midst of the first generation of the new century, the building went up fast. The parish priest wanted baroque Rome built by irish hands for america. So much excellence of material and detail converged on this particular church. It was going to be more magnificent than the older, of the then, two surviving, westside, irish parishes. It was going to be grander than the yankee, and other protestant neighbors' opinions of the irish would expect, and in this, it followed much catholic building projects throughout the country.

The communion rail is white italian marble, carved in Dublin. There are 30 panels that run from wall to wall. There are twelve bas-relief episodes in vertical oblong, and eighteen carved stone filigree in horizontal oblong twice size, interrupted by colored columns, spanning in front of the sanctuary altars. There is more theology in that stone span of frieze than in some graduate level theology courses. A stunningly, spectacular, artistic craftsmanship of sacred beauty. As central to catholic worship, and of great importance, the liturgy of the Eucharist deserved, in the sentiments of fervid believers, an appropriate locale and atmosphere for Its celebration and reception. To many, nothing was too good for Its regard. This is the main reason for the necessary requirement of beauty to many believers.

Weaved and cut, illustrated, biblical passages that presage the passion, and sacrifice of Christ, and His Sacrament, and his monograms, and continuing Presence in the physical forms of communion are shown. Some of these stone vignettes are immediately recognisable, others may jog or elude the memory, or cognition.
At first, what is this scene; look at the several details: a young (no beard) man kneeling, before what? a fire, a fire with a Hand from above (heaven), God is accepting a burning offering, in the background: another man is watching, he is clutching...a weapon.

Abel also offered of the firstlings of his flock, and of their fat: and the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offerings. But to Cain and his offerings he had no respect: and Cain was exceeding angry, and his countenance fell. ― Genesis iv. 4-5. DRC

Abel quoque obtulit de primogenitis gregis sui et de adipibus eorum et respexit Dominus ad Abel et ad munera eius ad Cain vero et ad munera illius non respexit iratusque est Cain vehementer et concidit vultus eius.

Here at communion, God the Father, accepts the sacrifice of the Sacrament, as he did of Abel. Abel, like Jesus, would unjustly be killed by his own, a pre-figurement of the Passion. Here when one did kneel while waiting reception, one could be reminded at the meaning and significance of the True and Acceptable Sacrifice and Mystery, a tool for catachesis, for every first communicant, in the theology of the Blessed Sacrament. This rail should be appreciated by all communicants of the diocese, yet this church did not make the bishop's list for saving.*

The bas-reliefs are of :

• wheat
• Abel's offering ― Genesis iv. 4-5.
• gathering manna ― Exodus xvi. 14-18.
  
• Jesus knocking ― Apocalypse iii. 20.
  
• (2) distributions of the Host (one, St. Colman receiving the Viaticum)
  
• Melchísedech and Abram ― Genesis xiv. 18-20.
  
• Sacrifice of Isaac ― Genesis xxii. 9-12.
  
• Chanaan grapes ― Numbers xiii. 24.
  
• Jesus as Good Shepherd ― John x. 1-18.
• Moses and Brazen serpent ― Numbers xxi. 8.
  
• grapes
  

The marble filigrees are of :

• (2) chalice and host
• (2) pelican vulning
• (2) nails of crucifixion
• (2) loaves and fishes
• (2) ΧΡ Chi Rho
• (3) IHS (appears as $ to some)
• ΑΩ Alpha Omega
• the veronica
• sanctuary lamp ― Exodus xxvii. 20-21.
• hand of God giving manna
• monstrance

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*postscriptum: shortly after the original writing, Bp. Lennon amended his list. Saint Colman was given a conditional reprieve, a probationary period.

a continuing list of repugnant partisans...

Feeling beleaguered and, possibly, writing in vain, I am considering to end this journal. Instead of rolling out a little essay mentioning new lunatic partisans, every now and then, when piqued by some outrage of inanity, or absence of ethics, I might just add to a continuing list. You can always further investigate why they are despicable, and why they should not represent sane, ethical and moral people. Some are just extreme partisan lunatics, some are shithouse rat crazy, and some are plain evil.

Some of those noted already:

1. george bush junior - Texas ?
   
2. Karl Rove - Texas
3. Tom Delay - Texas
4. Dick Cheney - Texas ?
5. Newt Gingrich - formerly Georgia
   
6. George Allen Jr. - Virginia
   
7. George Herbert Walker Bush - Texas ?
8. Dick Armey - Texas
9. Orrin Hatch - Utah
   
10. Fox news [sic]
11. Jack Kingston - Georgia
12. Larry Craig - Idaho; sexual scandal and hypocrisy exposed
13. (Diaper Dave) David Vitter - Louisiana; sexual scandal and hypocrisy exposed
14. David Dreier - California
    
15. David Addington - architect of torture
    
16. Alberto Gonzales - Texas
17. John Woo - architect of torture
18. Wayne Allard - Colorado
19. Kit Bond - Missouri
20. Tom Coburn - Oklahoma
21. Thad Cochran - Mississippi
22. John Cornyn - Texas
23. James Inhofe - Oklahoma
24. Pat Roberts - Kansas
25. Jeff Sessions - Alabama
26. Ted Stevens - Alaska
27. Condoleezza Rice
    
28. Tony Zirkle - currently local (Indiana)
29. Douglas Bruce - currently local (Colorado)
30. Kenneth Blackwell - Ohio
    
31. Diebold - Ohio
32. Todd Rokita - currently local (Indiana)
    
33. Rush Limbaugh III
34. Vito Fossella - New York; sexual scandal and hypocrisy exposed
    
35. Mike Erickson - currently local (Oregon)
    
36. Sarah Palin - Alaska
    
37. George Voinovich - Ohio
38. Michele Bachmann - Minnesota
    
39. Paul Broun - Georgia
40. Bob Corker -Tennessee
41. Richard Shelby - Alabama
42. Mitch McConnell - Kentucky
43. Jim DeMint - South Carolina
44. Norm Coleman - Loser
    
45. Grover Norquist
    
46. Rick Perry - Texas
    

new additions

47. on continuing flow of inanity: Peter King - New York (crazy since 9/11)
48. John Carter - Texas (demands Napolitano's head over DHS report on danger of right wing extremists)
49. on continuing flow of partisan inanity: Marsha Blackburn -Tennessee
perhaps a shorter list would be: decent non-repugnant Republican congressmen
List as of 24 April 2009
_________________________
50. Lamar Smith - Texas [yes, another one]
Speaking on FOX [surprise] : "Let me just say — this is going to sound radical, I don’t mean for it to be radical — but to me, the greatest threat to America is not necessarily a recession or even another terrorist attack. The greatest threat to America is a liberal media bias." - 3 June 2009
51. Michael Steele - chairman (guffaw). I forgot this blithering fool, he seems addicted to saying one ludicrous, crazy statement after another whenever a microphone is present. Perhaps, he should have been a cigarette lawyer. - 11 June 2009
52. Peter Hoekstra - Michigan. This idiot is the ranking Republican on the intelligence committee. Ha Ha! - 19 June 2009
53. Dana Rohrabacher - California. This idiot has said many foolish things for years, but with so much competition for stupidity, or worse, he has not come to the fore in some time. To-day, 23 June, he has. He has blamed the iranian situatuin on the current president, Barack Obama, as if Obama has authored persian-american relations since the end of wwii. The previous régime demonised and ignored Iran simultaneously for eight years. For most of the last generation, the US has been the Great Satan in the rhetoric of Iran. Idiot Rohrabacher lays this on Obama? Clearly, the Republicans must hire a score of psychiatrists for their congressional delegation.
54. Mark Sanford - South Carolina. There used to be a television show called, Car 54. Where are you? Mark Sanford was missing, not on the Appalachian Trail, but in Argentina after tail. Being an arrogant, self-righteous, teabagger, and a hypocritical adulterer was not enough to add him to this list, that sort of thing is just par for Republicans. The self-aggrandisement to compare oneself, in biblical terms, to King David—the archetypal ruler is. - 27 June 2009

George,Quijote and the Dragon

To-day is Saint George’s, and the traditional date of the death of Miguel de Cervantes. Heroism of the struggle, with the ardor of a chivalric, christian heart ties these two together. The dragon is symbolic of a fearsome adversary. Saint George defeated him. In Cervantes Don Quijote, our befuddled caballero was, in spirit, the perfect christian chevalier. I could write a book on this, but I have not the audience, nor the support...
Jurij Zaninović. Bridge with four dragons. 1900-01. Ljubljana.
I am also fascinated with the word for the creature: draco, drakon, zmaj, aždaja, smok. There are particular dragons, and there are types of dragons, and the general dragon. (The east asian dragons have a different ethos, from the indo-european dragons.) These dragons share with the biblical dragon an interchangeability with the serpent, but with wings and fire, which greatly increases their fearsome mythology. There are exceptions to their rapacious, evil ferocity, some are guardians. This is surprising and interesting. The dragon of Ljubljana, ljubljanski zmaj, supposedly guards the bridge, and the city; yet in the small town of Sveti Jurij (Saint George) not far off, the traditional heraldic depiction of the armoured and caped saint dispatching the fearsome beast with a lance is the coat of arms, shield, and flag. A similar Jurij serves Moscow. Now, the serbs also love George, as the english once did, but in addition to the generic slavonic zmaj, they also name aždaja. This dragon came from Persia and the zoroastrians, but not directly. The barbarian turks picked up words from conquered civilisations and were linguistic vehicles.

To further speculate, wildly, and most uncertainly: there is the less common words 'pogoj' dragon, and, in srpskohrvatsko, 'pakoa', hell, perhaps suggesting sulfurous pitch*. In addition the greek 'hades', 'aidelon', and 'άδης', fires of hades, and in Plato, the house of hades. From the greeks the russians got 'ad' in addition to their variation of peklo, pekel, pakao, pekla. There is the persian 'aži dahāka'. Is there a multi-lingual convergence of creature and locale? of dragon and hell? Or am I like the father in, My big fat greek wedding, creating fanciful etymologies?
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*Jakob Grimm noted the fire and stench of slavonic hells, and modern greek hell. The hebraic 'gehenna' has often been translated into hellfire, and fire and brimstone means fire and sulfur.

Anselm, Doctor of the Church

To-day is Saint Anselm's day. Nine hundred years ago, to-day, he left the earthly life. He is apelled: d'Aosta, à Bec, of Canterbury, depending on the language used, and the nation claiming. He was born in Aosta (Piedmont Italy) and went on to Bec (Norman France) and became a benedictine monk, scholar and philosopher. Now, in the year Anselmo reached Christ's age, William conquered England, and Anselm was prior at Bec, the prevous prior, Lanfranc became the archbishop of Canterbury in 1070. Lanfanc was succeeded by Anselm. William (II) Rufus was an overreaching, immoderate king, and interfered with church affairs. For four years the see was left vacant as William Rufus collected and robbed what was available. Anselm succeeded his old teacher, and inherited his problems. With a new king, Henry I, a slightly better go went forth, although Anselm would still find exile. The conflict between mitre and crown would continue in England for centuries, until the faith was completely forbidden. Now, neither Canterbury nor the crown mean much of anything, outside of pomp and ceremony.

Anselmo, during his time at Bec, was in the center of the intellectual world. Anselm is considered a founder of scholasticism. In philosophy and theology, he is the most important betwixt Augustine and Aquinas. In Cur Deus Homo, he writes on the theology of the Atonement. In the Proslogium, he gives two versions of, what Kant later calls, the ontological proof of God, which in the simplest manner can be reduced to: God exists by definition, because that which you understand to be, as what God would be, is an idea that could not be invented in your mind, by your mind.

Augustine said, "Crede, ut intelligas". Believe that you may understand.
Anselmo said, "Credo, ut intelligam". I believe that I may understand.
Christian faith was at the center of philosophy and understanding.
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To-day, is also the birthday of the city of Rome.

Elixir of texas tea(baggers)

Every year there is an anti-tax protest at some state house or public park, but this year they were organised by a television network and professional mouthfoamers. Much coverage was aired. There were years of much larger anti-war protests, that, they and others ignored. We report, you decide.

These hypocritical idiots without intellectual consistency complain about taxation and spending. The number one funded department is that of the military, the department of war, the Pentagon, or euphemistically, defense. It is well over 50%, near if not exceeding 60%, depending on accounting methods, and their degree of transparency. To all intelligible people, that has to be the place to start. Was one protester protesting military spending? Was one person brandishing a poster, banner or sign against useless, wasteful military spending? or criticising the merchants of death? Besides the military, there are other perennial snouts at the public trough. Any protesting agricultural subsidies to millionaires? Any protesting aid to Israel?

Any protesting about their states and communities that receive more than they pay? Alaska receives almost double in receipts, from its outgo, to the federal government. Alaska has an idiot opportunist as governor, who has claimed Alaska to be a sovereign state, she also has an husband, whom, belonged(s) to a secessionist party, did she also? She wants [stifle your guffaws] to be president of the United States of America. Where is there logical continuity in this, anywhere?

Further, the protests gathered smaller crowds, than those held for the legalisation of hemp and marijuana, or the right to ride motorbikes sans helmet. I am sure, that, to-day 4/20, there will be a sizable crowd, somewhere, in the country protesting something. I once participated in a labor rally, at the Ohio State House, on one cold Saturday, years ago. Downtown Columbus was abandoned. We marched in solitude, except for the many police forces to watch us. There were speeches by a Representative in Congress, Marcy Kaptur, and labor leaders, including Richard Trumka. No media coverage, save for a couple sentences buried in a Columbus paper.

These sideshows of teabaggers were orchestrated and pumped up, but the balloon will not fly. In addition to what they purported to be, they were anti-Obama rallies. The man just took office, and legally so. bushjr stole office without public demonstrations against it, there was one in Florida to aid the theft, though. There were insane accusations and villifications of Obama. The klan was out in their civvies, not in their dress whites. In the bizarre dystopia of the crazier than shithouse rat Republicans, anything less than a complete, fascist dictatorship is appalling, an elected democracy is anathema, and deserving of subversion and annihilation. They accused Obama, simultaneously, of being a fascist (an absurd situation of a cauldron calling a teakettle black), and a communist. Have they ever opened a dictionary? They sense that ‘fascist’ is an extreme political insult, while they blindly stare into the mirror. When a vote is taken, and the votes are actually counted, the winner is not a non-democrat.

Tejas, texas, taxes; other idiots, of the outrageous, reprobate Republicans, gave cover and support. The chief elected one, Rick Perry*, wants a third term as governor of Tejas. He was talking secession. Perry is not John C. Calhoun, or one of the literate fireaters of the antebellum south. People, carrying union [not labor, certainly not] flags, talking of secession, does not anyone see the irony, well, back to the point, Texas already seceded once—it was an extremely, bloody failure. Have they ever read a real history book? And Texas, is there any one state that has caused more disaster for America, at least in the last several years?...Armey, Baker, bushes and bushes, Cheney, Delay, Gramm, Halliburton.... If Texas wanted to leave, it would have behooved the world, far more so, if it had been done a generation ago. The combination of arrogance, ignorance, callousness, worthlessness, belligerence, incompetence, gall and the damnedest stupidity is utterly jaw dropping! Really, every anglo leaving Tejas needs to be tested for rabies.
_______________________
*former Texas Aggie cheerleader, who may or may not be aware of:
Texas v. White, 74 U.S. 700 (1869), in which the Supreme Court ruled that a state cannot secede.
When, therefore, Texas became one of the United States, she entered into an indissoluble relation. All the obligations of perpetual union, and all the guaranties of republican government in the Union, attached at once to the State. The act which consummated her admission into the Union was something more than a compact; it was the incorporation of a new member into the political body. And it was final. The union between Texas and the other States was as complete, as perpetual, and as indissoluble as the union between the original States. There was no place for reconsideration or revocation, except through revolution or through consent of the States. ― Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase

Postscriptum: 26 April 2009. There is stupid, and there is hypocrisy; and then there is Texas stupid, and Texas hypocrisy. Yesterday, the governor [sic] of Tejas, Mr. Goodhair, Rick Perry requested the federal (that means, the national government of the United States) bureaucratic agency (funded by tax dollars from the 50 states) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide Tejas, from the national stockpile, 37,430 courses of antiviral medications for the swine flu crisis. His words, “We will continue to work with our local, state and federal health officials to ensure public safety is protected.” How quickly, Tejas petitions (begs) the Union for help and material, that Tejas does not provide texicans with. Maybe crow is the meal meant for tea.

... to each according to need.

To-day's first scriptural reading was from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 4, verses 32-35:

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. ― NAB

Multitúdinis autem credéntium erat cor unum et ánima una : nec quisquam eórum quæ possidébat, áliquid suum esse dicébat, sed erant illis ómnia commúnia. Et virtúte magna reddébant Apóstoli testimónium resurrectiónis Jesu Christi Dómini nostri : et grátia magna erat in ómnibus illis. Neque enim quisquam egens erat inter illos. Quotquot enim possessóres agrórum aut domórum erant, vendéntes afferébant prétia eórum quæ vendébant, et ponébant ante pedes Apostólorum. Dividebátur autem síngulis prout cuíque opus erat.

And the multitude of believers had but one heart and one soul: neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed, was his own; but all things were common unto them. And with great power did the apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord; and great grace was in them all. For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things they sold, And laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need. ― DRC

How many people in the congregation were listening? Did anyone who was not in the habit of church going, or Scripture reading, yet educated otherwise, hear something that sounded familiar? Were any angered? made uncomfortable? Will any consider? or take heart?

This is the first reading in year 'B'. The first reading in year 'A' is:

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. ―Acts of the Apostles ii. 42-47. NAB

And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles and in the communication of the breaking of bread and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul. Many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem: and there was great fervor in all. And all they that believed were together and had all things common. Their possessions and goods they sold and divided them to all, according as every one had need. And continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart: Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved. ―Acts of the Apostles ii. 42-47. DRC

To-day, being the Octave of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday and Doubting Thomas Sunday, it is easy for a homilist to not comment on this reading, making it convenient for either him, or the congregation, or both. Some of these people would rather not examine their consciences on those sentiments, and if those lines were said, without attribution, or even with, in public civil discourse, they might not receive a friendly hearing. And there are certain professing christians, who would, twist into convolutions the words of Scripture on similar sentiments. This sort of radicalism, or extremism, by Jesus is not welcoming to all, it can be most discomfitting.

Ambrosian & gregorian hymns for Quasimodo Sunday

Andrea del Verrocchio. Christ and Doubting Thomas. 1467–1483. Florence.
The hymns available for the traditional mass wed text, theology, and music exquisitely. I live in an english speaking community. English is an accumulative language. Ecclesiastical latin accumulated greek vocabulary, and hebraic theology. A song can refer to the sacrifice of the mass, the communion of believers, and the salvation of God's people now, and from Moses―or anytime from Adam to the last day.

Saint Stephen has had a latin schola for a year, it has finished an annual cycle, but some songs are being done for the first time, since the ordinary had to be learned first, and some members have joined during the year. One of the members studied for a doctorate in classical languages at the University of Pennsylvania, and can give spontaneous translation of the text. This with a little discussion amongst the members, in asides and questions becomes a mini symposium (without the drinking). Ablatives, gerunds and the importance of the fourth declension are mentioned in passing.

To-day has many names. I must mention, to-day fulfills the octave of Easter, and is also, then fittingly, Divine Mercy Sunday. Perhaps, most anciently, to-day is Dominica in albis depositis, the sunday of laying away the white (garment of baptism) is one which is reflected in an ambrosian hymn, which is not served well by the usual Neale translation.
[each verse should span only the column]
1. AD cenam Agni providi, stolis salutis candidi, post transitum maris Rubri Christo canamus principi.
--At the supper the Lamb provides,
--------------------------clothes of health(salvation) of gleaming white,
---------------------------------------------after the passage through the Red Sea
------------------------------------------------------- we sing to Christ the prince.
--At the mass
--Ad regias Agni dapes [beginning of alternate hymn]
-----------------------banquet
2. Cuius corpus sanctissimum in ara crucis torridum, sed et cruorem roseum gustando, Dei vivimus.
------j*-------------------------------------------------------------------------rosy gore
3. Protecti paschæ vespero a devastante angelo, de Pharaonis aspero sumus erept(i)§ imperio.
--------------------χ†‡---------------------------------------------Φ†
-----------paschal eve a devastating angel (unnamed, conjecture -- Uriel?)
4. Iam pascha nostrum Christus est, agnus occisus innocens; sinceritatis azyma qui carnem suam obtulit.
---J* ------ χ -------------- χ-innocent (in = negation, nocens = harmful, a criminal)
-unleavened (a = negation, greek)
5. O vera, digna hostia, per quam franguntur tartara, captiva plebs redimitur, redduntur vitæ præmia!
---------------------------------netherworld (greek, latin is inferno, english hell),
-------------------------------------------------------------, the captive proletariat ----------------------------------redeemed/ransomed/atoned,
6. Consurgit Christus tumulo, victor redit de barat(h)ro, tyrannum trudens vinculo et paradisum reserans.
----------------------------------------------------------depths† ------------------------------------- unbolted
7. Esto perenne mentibus paschale, Iesu, gaudium et nos renatos gratiæ tuis triumphis aggrega.
----------------------------------------------- J*
8. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, qui morte victa prænites, cum Patr(e)§ et almo Spiritu, in sempiterna sæcula. Amen.
--J*

Another song for today is, O fillii et filiæ. It deals greatly with T(h)omas’ doubt. Quando Thomas vidit Christum, pedes, manus, latus suum, dixit: Tu es Deus meus, alleluia. The uncertain Thomas shrinks at the staid Christ as he inspects his wounds.
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*(i) when palatised becomes (j)
†(h) in words borrowed from greek are unaspirated (silent); (Φ) is written ph in latin, (Φ) in cyrillic is (f), sounded (f) in latin, russian, english, (χ) = ch
‡ Pasch is the passover and the resurrection holiday, hebrew→greek→latin
§ silent or slurred in song not in speech