"I figure God has plenty to do; why shouldn't She subcontract some of it to Mr. Christopher and others? It's all cool."
LOL Alan That's actually not a bad way to look at it.
Listener, have there never been times when your children have asked someone else to communicate something to you (or their father), hoping perhaps to blunt your negative reaction to a misdeed or mistake or to dilute your annoyance at a request? In one sense I'm not really arguing - direct, personal relationships are the best, but they are not the only relationships. Especially when it comes to The Almighty, some souls might be a bit intimidated and feel more comfortable asking a less formidable personage - a saint - to intercede on his behalf, much as an uncomfortable child might ask a trusted auntie or friend to tell Mommy something for her.
Then again, as Alan lightheartedly points out, the Communion of Saints, as indeed the Church Militant and the Church Suffering, all do God's work in one fashion or another. Since we all work for the same boss, surely we can all help each other out.
Finally and perhaps a trifle fancifully, it's the job of the saints to help us. If we don't ask for (or accept) their help, we do them out of a job.
Hmmm, well Cat, I honestly don't think they did. I hope they aren't afraid of me, or intimidated. In fact, once when one of ours really screwed up, such that his siblings were ready to throttle him, they finally told us. And we handled it by drawing him nearer and showing him love and concern. And for that reason we did not lose him, and he's fine today.
I hasten to add that it doesn't bother me if someone else needs to pray to saints. It just doesn't fit who I am in relationship with God. I want God as God is, with no substitutes or assistants. I can't help it; I'm a contemplative.
There's definitely a place for saints, though they aren't and don't need to be everybody's cup of tea. As it happens, I'm particularly fond of Dame Julian.
Julian is a favorite of mine, too, Cat! :-) I even named my art business Julian's Window, as she sat at her window to meet with those who were seeking spiritual guidance. :-) What I have read of the mystics reveals their humility; they would never have tolerated being prayed to during their lifetime. But, I definitely value the communion of saints.
Not yet 2015 out here; but I just heard what sounded like a firecracker not very far away. Long day at work, but manageable; no one has any idea what sort of workload we will have on Friday, so I put some extra work into getting ready. Then decided to take the rest of the year off. No evident drunks sighted on the way home, either on wheels or afoot.
Interesting idea there, Cat, of a reciprocal obligation between saintly helpers and non-saintly helpees; saints never figured in the world of my upbringing. But I'll tell you one thing--I would sure NEVER cross Diana…or seriously mistreat anyone under her protection. Once warned, twice shy [Click]
Out with the old, in with the new. One constant is Howard, who is always first.
ReplyDelete"I figure God has plenty to do; why shouldn't She subcontract some of it to Mr. Christopher and others? It's all cool."
ReplyDeleteLOL Alan That's actually not a bad way to look at it.
Listener, have there never been times when your children have asked someone else to communicate something to you (or their father), hoping perhaps to blunt your negative reaction to a misdeed or mistake or to dilute your annoyance at a request? In one sense I'm not really arguing - direct, personal relationships are the best, but they are not the only relationships. Especially when it comes to The Almighty, some souls might be a bit intimidated and feel more comfortable asking a less formidable personage - a saint - to intercede on his behalf, much as an uncomfortable child might ask a trusted auntie or friend to tell Mommy something for her.
Then again, as Alan lightheartedly points out, the Communion of Saints, as indeed the Church Militant and the Church Suffering, all do God's work in one fashion or another. Since we all work for the same boss, surely we can all help each other out.
Finally and perhaps a trifle fancifully, it's the job of the saints to help us. If we don't ask for (or accept) their help, we do them out of a job.
Thanks for permission to use the photo.
ReplyDeleteALWAYS!!
DeleteHmmm, well Cat, I honestly don't think they did. I hope they aren't afraid of me, or intimidated. In fact, once when one of ours really screwed up, such that his siblings were ready to throttle him, they finally told us. And we handled it by drawing him nearer and showing him love and concern. And for that reason we did not lose him, and he's fine today.
ReplyDeleteOn these passages, I will rest my case… :-)
http://www.womensordination.org/resources/female-images-of-god-in-the-bible/
I hasten to add that it doesn't bother me if someone else needs to pray to saints. It just doesn't fit who I am in relationship with God. I want God as God is, with no substitutes or assistants. I can't help it; I'm a contemplative.
ReplyDeleteNot always, but often, I pray to the whole contingency: ATI, Angles, Lord and Ladies of the Dance. . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been an intimate of St. Jude since high school.
Most often though, it has no words and is addressed to on one.
There's definitely a place for saints, though they aren't and don't need to be everybody's cup of tea. As it happens, I'm particularly fond of Dame Julian.
DeleteJulian is a favorite of mine, too, Cat! :-) I even named my art business Julian's Window, as she sat at her window to meet with those who were seeking spiritual guidance. :-) What I have read of the mystics reveals their humility; they would never have tolerated being prayed to during their lifetime. But, I definitely value the communion of saints.
DeleteHappy New Year, everybody!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY AND HEALTHY 2015 TO YOU ALL! :-)
ReplyDeletepanda hippo gnu deer!
ReplyDeleteGrand is here at Grammie & Grandad's overnight. Enroute she lost a tooth. Jackpot! :-D
ReplyDeleteMy car is all fixed and home! Yayyy! And it cost $0 thanks to being under warranty.
Sweet dreams! ♥
Goof news about the car! Happy for you.
DeleteHappy New Year from the Central time zone!
ReplyDeleteBOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Not yet 2015 out here; but I just heard what sounded like a firecracker not very far away. Long day at work, but manageable; no one has any idea what sort of workload we will have on Friday, so I put some extra work into getting ready. Then decided to take the rest of the year off. No evident drunks sighted on the way home, either on wheels or afoot.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea there, Cat, of a reciprocal obligation between saintly helpers and non-saintly helpees; saints never figured in the world of my upbringing. But I'll tell you one thing--I would sure NEVER cross Diana…or seriously mistreat anyone under her protection.
Once warned, twice shy [Click]
And now to make a modest call upon Baccus.
A very good New Year to all.
--Alan