#I do recall having some lord of the rings related dreams but none of this

[kazieka]

so I started a new anxiety medication this past week and so far it’s been going very well except that I have extremely vivid dreams and apparently sleep texting. I seem to have sent this at 3am and i have no memory of it

but i am Right

#lindsey shut up #bitch king of angstmar ✌🏻 #I do recall having some lord of the rings related dreams but none of this #lotr #lord of the rings #this post brought to you by buspirone ig #shoutout to GROND

[amerrierworld]

in dreams (pt 2)

The Hobbit fanfiction

Part 1

Summary: You meet the Lady of Lothlorien for what you think is the first time, but she’s already very acquainted with who you are.

Characters: Galadriel x fem!reader, Gandalf

Word Count: 2,003

“Come along then, quickly,” Gandalf ushered you along, staff tapping the ground as he led you through hallways and stairways. You hurried after him, distractingly gazing at Rivendell bathed in starlight and moonlight around you.

“Where are you taking me, Gandalf?” you asked, squeezing the last bits of water from your damp sleeves. Your clothes were slowly drying now that the sun was gone, but the air was still comfortably warm.

“To someone who wishes to speak with you,” the Wizard spoke ominously, and you rolled your eyes. 

"Ah, very helpful.”

Gandalf shot you a glance over his shoulder. He led you to a winding staircase that opened up to a platform close to the mountain side, hidden behind forestry and waterfalls. There was a curious basin at eye level in the middle of the space, and you stepped closer, watching the dark water that barely seemed to move with the breeze. 

You wandered to the far edge of the platform, peeking through the occasional gaps of the water and seeing the bright moon staring back at you.

“Gandalf, there’s no one here- is it some sort of prank?” you turned around, “I don’t see why-”

You halted mid sentence. Gandalf had left, inconspicuously it seemed, and the figure standing across from you was none other than Lady Galadriel. Her blue eyes reflected starlight and brightness to the point where your own might burn at the sight of them. Her pale hands were clasped in front of her, a white dress shimmering with every movement she made. Your mouth went dry and you cast your eyes downwards.

“H-hello,” you stammered. 

“Greetings,” she said, softly. Softer than you could have imagined, a clear whisper still heard above the rushing of water. As you stared at your feet, she took you in. You shifted your feet around nervously, your clothing and hair still not fully dried from your skirmish in the fountain from earlier, and Galadriel felt a smile tug at her lips. 

You couldn’t see it, but her heart was thundering in her chest. There you were, bashful and uncertain about your meeting. She realized with a slight sadness that you probably had not had any of the visions she had over the last few years, otherwise you would have been reacting differently.

“Do you know who I am?” Galadriel asked, remaining in her place. Your eyes crept up to meet her gaze, again startled at how clear and bright her eyes were.

“Yes, my lady,” you murmured. “You are the Lady of Lothlorien, Galadriel.”

“The elf-witch,” Galadriel replied. You flushed, blinking rapidly.

“I didn’t- that wasn’t me who- the Dwarves, they were..”

You stammered defensively, until you saw the teasing gleam in Galadriel’s expression and you huffed. 

“I- I don’t think you’re a witch, my lady,” you added.

“No? Then what am I to you?” Galadriel questioned. “You seem to know who I am, clearly.”

“Well, yeah, of course,” you said, glancing down again. “Where I come from- I, I guess I know a fair bit about you.”

“Is that so? Enlighten me then.”

You blinked. “W-what?”

“Tell me what you know of me,” she ordered. You gaped at her, clearing your throat in surprise.

“Uh, o-okay. Well, I know your name is Galadriel here, but you have like, a lot more names than that. Just like Gandalf. You, uh, you’re really old and- wait, no, you’re not old, I just meant- damnit.”

You turned around to shake the nerves and watched the water and the moon instead. “You witnessed the Two Trees, right? The creation of the world, or something like that. Gosh, I can’t remember all the details, but that makes you, like thousands of years old,” you chuckled, “I’d be surprised if I even make it to one century, y’know?”

“You’ve got a husband, Celeborn- did I say that right? One of the Sindar, I think. And you, you’re one of the.. the- uh, Noldor? Pretty cool stuff, if you ask me. Lady of the Golden Wood and stuff. Oh! You have a child, right? Celebrian, Gandalf told me that was Elrond’s wife.”

You were rambling at this point, avoiding Galadriel’s eyes as you kept talking, trying to remember all your Tolkien knowledge. At the mention of her daughter, Galadriel felt her hands’ grip tighten and she took a deep breath.

“Galadriel..” you said, thinking. The Elf Queen felt a shiver as you said her name. “Or.. Artanis, right? Or, or, Nerwen. There- there was one more, Ata- Alata- uh-”

“Alatariel,” Galadriel whispered, remembering her old names, the old memories that came with it. She was frozen, watching you speak her distant selves into existence again, your ridiculous accent on Elvish names pushed aside for now.

You turned to face her again, blushing but nodding. “I must sound like a fucking creep. I just know a lot of things, I suppose. Not just about you! Gosh, I’m not a stalker, I promise. I just know about.. Middle Earth.”

“I see.”

Silence filled the space for a moment. Galadriel’s head was spinning with thoughts, unsure how to tell you how she knew about you.

“My lady,” you breathed quietly. “Why did you ask me here? Gandalf said he wanted to bring me to someone who needed to speak to me.”

“I know you, Y/N,” Galadriel said in response, startling you at the sound of your name on her lips. “More than you realize. More than I understand.”

You frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Galadriel felt flushed, and she approached the basin in the centre. 

“You know of the mirror?” she asked. You nodded. She beckoned you closer. 

“Look.”

You obediently dipped your head to look at your reflection. Slowly, ripples formed and the image shifted. Galadriel appeared in a hazy mist, turned away from you, but wandering as if in a dream. 

She was reaching out to something, following a figure that was just out of reach. Slowly, your face appeared, and you were looking at yourself through Galadriel’s eyes. You were running through Lothlorien’s trees, snapshots of your life back home appearing. Your memories were being replayed back at you, but you could sense that Galadriel was witnessing them with utter confusion, was only enraptured by your eyes and your echoing laugh.

The last image you could see Galadriel reaching to touch your own face, and a tingling formed along your cheek as you watched, before a flash overtook your vision. With a gasp, you fell back, catching yourself before your head hit the floor. 

Galadriel looked slightly apologetic as you lay, gasping, your cheek feeling a bit numb. You scrambled to your feet, trembling. 

“What does that mean?” you asked, eyebrows furrowed. Galadriel took a deep breath, watching you from the other side of the basin. 

“Elven companionships, when special, are akin to a special bond. Most common in marriages, I have only ever shared a bond with my husband. It is an expected feeling, a foretelling before you even meet that person. But when you do, you know it, and you feel it.”

She turned and was slowly pacing in front of you. You watched her significant profile as she spoke, and felt an ache pull inside your chest. 

“I believe these dreams tell me that you and I, though you are not of elf kind, share a bond like that.”

Her blue eyes flickered to you. You held her gaze this time. “You have been in my dreams for nearly some decades now, Y/N. You may not have even been alive when they started, but as you are now is how you always appeared to me.”

You stared, blinking. “What.. what does that even mean? Are we married?”

Galadriel chuckled, like the ringing of a bell. “No, dearest. Not quite. It is a connection between beings, an understanding beyond words.”

“I don’t understand,” you breathed. “You-you’re this amazing powerful elf who’s super old and wise, and I’m just a human!”

“A human from another world. There are none like you.”

“But it doesn’t make sense! I didn’t come here expecting this! I joined the quest to- to..” You bit your tongue.

“No one expects their futures, Y/N. It simply happens.”

“Easy for you to say! You knew this was going to happen.”

Galadriel shook her head. “I never knew who or what you were, or where you would come from. But something drew me to Rivendell, other than Lord Elrond’s call to the White Council here. I thought it be related to your Dwarvish friends and their dragon, but it was more than that.”

You felt pale, and a little weak in the knees. The look you and Galadriel shared felt like a piercing stab inside of you, opening up your soul and mind to her. You expected her to read your thoughts, but you felt nothing probing or digging around your brain. Perhaps she couldn’t, with you.

“Magic,” you whispered at the feeling. Galadriel smiled, her eyes crinkling, and you nearly melted on the spot.

“This world has lots of it.”

She stepped closer to you. She was tall, God she was tall, but you didn't mind. You couldn’t resist drawing a hand up to hers, and the minute your fingertips brushed her, a sharp electric shock coursed through your veins. The both of you gasped and a tingling feeling remained in your hands.

“I cannot recall anyone who has ever experienced a bond like this,” Galadriel whispered. This time you noticed her chest rising and falling quicker than you thought, and her pupils were starting to grow as she watched you. “I don’t think any of us will ever understand it.”

“That’s fine by me,” you responded, your fingers twitching. A beat. “Can I kiss you?”

Galadriel blinked, and a blush filled her cheeks. But, regaining her composure, she cheekily responded, “I don’t see how you’ll be capable of that from where you stand.”

Realizing she made fun of your height, you snorted at her. You turned so you stood up on the steps of the pedestal that the basin was on. Still a bit shorter than Galadriel, you got up on the tips of your toes and pulled her closer. 

The contact felt like an electric current again, numbing your toes and fingers, making your heart stutter and your body feel alive. Galadriel’s hands grasped your upper arms and you cupped her face, gently bringing your mouths together.

A breathy whimper escaped her, much to your delight. Long fingers dragged up from your arms to your neck and held you there, coolness soothing your heated skin. 

She arched her body into you and you raked your fingers through her long golden hair. When you pressed your hands to the base of her skill and tugged gently at her tresses, she gasped, loudly, and pulled away. You stumbled back a bit and nearly tipped the basin behind you over, the water sloshing over the rim. 

Shaking, you lifted your fingers to your mouth, feeling the tingles and numbness left behind there. 

“That’s what magic feels like?” you asked. Galadriel nodded slowly. Her eyes cast up towards the moon and a realization hit her.

“I must leave you, Lord Elrond is expecting me,” she said. Her voice was ragged and low. 

“Will I see you again?” you asked. “How long are you in Rivendell?”

“As long as you wish,” she whispered, coming up to you again. This time she led the kiss, holding you firmly. You tasted the sweetness of her mouth and groaned a little. 

When she pulled away she seemed satisfied by your response and lifted your hands, kissing your knuckles with a brush of her lips. Then, she briskly turned and left you there, astounded and more than a little aroused.

A/N: Yay elf love! I have no idea how true this holds to Tolkien lore, but who cares. If there is an interest for Part 3, whether it be smut or no, let me knowwww! I loved writing this, flustered Galadriel is my fave.

#galadriel #lady galadriel #cate blanchett #Galadriel X Reader #galadriel/reader #galadriel x you #galadrielxyou #galadriel x celeborn #Galadriel/Celeborn #the hobbit #the hobbit fic #elves #the silmarillion #the silmarillion fanfiction #tolkien #lothlorien #lord of the rings #lotr #jrr tolkien #wlw #merry writes

[kaypeace21]

Important things we learned from the ST prequel novel “Suspicious Minds”

What we learned about powers

The ‘potential’ to have powers is (generally) hereditary, however only under certain conditions will these powers manifest (psychological trauma, drugs, or certain psychological conditioning/experimentation is usually how it’s done). If this isn’t done, generally, if any powers still develop they are very weak. An example being Ken who was born with powers along with some of his other family members.

-“I am psychic, always have been ... My family always believed in this stuff... “

-“ He got feelings. Certainty would lodge itself in his chest. He had dreams with snatches of reality mixed in. Flashes of intuition. These came unpredictably—which he always thought was funny—and so he was never surprised if an inkling showed up. Or if it didn’t.” 

-“ I get feelings, sometimes fully formed thoughts, that I have a deep sense are true.”

( Hmm...this intuition-thing sounds very similar to how Joyce insisted she knew Will was alive despite seeing his fake-body.)

The younger the child is when experimented or tortured, the more likely they are to yield stronger powers. Even if the same trauma was done on an adult the results would be weaker and would be dependent on that particular stimulus. Alice could only see visions of the future with lsd and electroshock therapy, Terry had what’d you’d call “perfect recall” (which only happened with lsd)- diving into her memories and remembering them perfectly. While El can channel her powers without such things. 

-“Rare enough these days, especially in adult subjects...potential”

-“His theory had always been that exceptional abilities could be encouraged under the right conditions. But he’d always had to work with available subjects, none of them clean slates. This child—he could start encouraging the development of this child’s abilities now. In utero. Every day of her life. He’d make sure she was special”

There is a high correlation between above average intelligence and having “potential” (i.e capability to develop powers). In the book, Brenner almost used the terms interchangeably”.  

- “genius IQ, potential…limitless.” (El’s ‘potential’ was described as ‘extreme’)

-Terri is described as “above average intelligence”, and “brimming with potential” by Brenner.

-One of Brenner’s nicknames for Kali is “smart girl”.

-Terry’s questioned her roommate Stacy (who got out of the experiment) saying “How she’d fooled anyone into thinking she had average intelligence was beyond Terry—Stacey was obviously the smartest of all.”

-also in other outside cannon material Will is said to be the smartest of all the boys... hmmm...

How the void works

Terry after getting pregnant (temporarily) gains her baby Jane’s/El’s power to tap into the ‘void’. In relation to seeing normal people in the void, Terry learned they will not notice you observing and eavesdropping on them, and they cannot hear or see you (according to the book) ... so we can probably assume they also cannot touch other psychics without fading away, as well (like in the show). 

But the void is different if you try this on another psychic, she accidentally summons Kali- and finds out it’s a way for other psychics and only other psychics to have a private place to talk to one another- without anyone realizing. So yep, Will is psychic- the fact Will could touch, see, hear, and talk to El in the void wasn’t a coincidence! Debate over! XD”

More Proof Will has powers

He can communicate with other psychics using the void (in s1) . If powers are genetic (Joyce probably has Clairvoyance like Ken). And in the show, Joyce’s and Terry’s aunts were both described as “crazy” -which is probably not a coincidence. Also he’s the smartest of all the boys and described by Mr Clarke as  “great student.”

In relation to the adults (with powers) both the Xmen and Lord of the Rings were used in reference to them, multiple times. Will’s password for Castle Byers is “Rhadagast”, a character in Lord of the Rings. And in the 1st ep of the series, before Will goes missing , he asks Dustin for his X-men comic- later in reference to El ,Dustin asks “Do you think El was born with her powers like the X-men?” And when Mike says El is “channeling him (Will)”. Dustin says “like professor x”. clearly hinting that they were both born with powers, like the X-men.

Dr Brenner says there are very few people in the world with ‘potential’- ie the ability to develop powers under certain conditions. He encouraged the numbered-children to draw since it would increase the chances of developing powers. This is why we see a picture that El drew on her bedroom wall in s1. And who else really likes to draw- Will?

-“Art the psychologist here claimed, was vitally important for the creative children. Eight was definitely creative.” (Eight at this time, was the most powerful psychic ever, since El wasn’t born yet.)

when experimenting on the adults, they would take monthly blood tests and monitor their blood pressures. In s2 ep 1 they did the same thing to Will. They drew Will’s blood and put it in a vial ,monitored his blood pressure, and like El, recorded his brainwaves.

 Ken who was born with powers, is not heterosexual. And since many believe Will is queer it’s probably not a coincidence. Plus Will is referenced  to as a “cleric” and a “wizard”. And as a joke his friend says about him, “what wizardry is this?”

Dr Brenner tells a story about an experiment that involves killing rabbits. In the show “Papa” tries to force El to kill a cat. While Lonnie, Will’s dad, forced Jonathan to kill a rabbit, the first time he learned to shoot a gun. And since Will knows how to shoot a gun in s1e1, we can infer he was also forced to kill a rabbit/animal by a father figure-so it’s probably a parallel.

Both Alice and Terry when using their powers had hallucinations of a rainbow, Kali also formed a visual-allusion of sunflowers and a rainbow (implying all 3 have seen this rainbow, as well, when using their powers). And when Will was very young- he drew that ‘rainbow ship’.

-Terri: “Spots bloomed behind her eyelids. Every color ... as the sunlight turned to rainbows” ( p44-45), “The rainbow stayed with Terry for a long while, but eventually it faded and in its place: darkness. A pit.”(p. 48).  “streaks of rainbow appeared (p47)”, “Wavy rainbows seemed to radiate from her hand even once she stilled it. (p. 88). “Her eyelids drifted shut, rainbows and sparks flying behind them. (p. 89). 

-Alice (who sees visions of the future) : “Snarling, snapping monsters, rainbow lights playing in the air around them (p. 121).

-Kali: “field of yellow sunflowers grew up around them. A rainbow arcing over the golden tops.” (p. 139).  “He noticed she’d drawn up there, a rainbow with her colored pencils. Maybe he’d suggest that for the playroom” (the rainbow room we see in s2) (p. 298) 

Interesting things we learned about Kali

- Kali at 5 years old, was the strongest of all 10 numbers- who were called the Indigo children (who are in a separate experiment than the adults, like Terry).

- Brenner purposely isolated her from other people. “Eight wasn’t allowed to know there were other children here. They were all ordinary so far. He worried they’d infect her.” (what a sicko- he did that to El too). He says about Kali “Child shows gifts that require isolation from those who might weaken her…Constantly asks for family and to be called by given name…Has stopped asking for her mother…”

- Brenner put her through sleep deprivation, for 13 hours, when she tried to keep a secret from him.

- In another scene after Kali reveals another secret to Brenner, Terry finds her on the bed “bathed in sweat, soaked through her gown” and “sobbing” “tightly gripping the sheets”. What did Brenner do here... am I reading too much into this? I feel like I missed a page or... y’know maybe he’s even more of a monster than I thought. They never explain this? And I’m still not sure how to interpret it 0-0

-Kali loved Terry (El’s mom) and the other adults even saying “I love you”, and referring to them as “family”. And Kali makes a hallucination in order to help them escape, they promise to come back and free her. So in s2 ep7 the “family” that Kali referred to that Dr. Brenner/the government killed was them.

Dr Brenner probably has powers 

- Ken who was born with powers describes it as a gut feeling of something that will occur or a belief he knows is true.

-Brenner can simply look at a person and his gut feeling tells him whether or not they have ‘potential’ to develop powers or not. It isn’t always correct but the vast majority of the time it is. He does this throughout the whole novel to everyone he meets.

“male, 5′8″, 180 pounds, white, average intelligence, potential…fulfilled by sitting in a guard booth checking IDs”

“Rare enough these days, especially in adult subjects. The way she’d sensed an opportunity and shown up suggested potential...Potential. She was bursting with it.” (about Terri)

“Such lost potential is always sad. There’s so little of it in the world.”(about Alice)

“Funny that his ID contained some of the information Brenner would have wanted if he were looking at himself: male, 6′1″, 195 pounds, white. The rest: genius IQ, potential…limitless.”

What we learned about the Mindflayer

-Well, I was right about the mindflayer having fire powers -so Will will probably get electro-pyrokinesis (along with other powers) like the comic and show hinted at, link here and here. 

Alice who sees visions of the future describes the mindflayer as “A monstrous vortex of fire and energy and darkness, tentacles reaching and growing. Growing so big they could eat the sky. Its mouth had a glowing fire of destruction inside it… (p. 243). 

#will byers #stranger things #stranger things theory #el hopper #kali prasad

[romancatholicreflections]

28th December >> Fr. Martin's Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 2:13-18  for the  Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs:   ‘He had all the male children killed’

The Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs 

Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Matthew 2:13-18

The massacre of the innocents

After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

I called my son out of Egypt.

Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loudly lamenting:

it was Rachel weeping for her children,

refusing to be comforted because they were no more.

Gospel (USA)

Matthew 2:13-18

He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem.

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be consoled,

since they were no more.

Reflections (4)

(i)  Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

There is a strong contrast in the gospel reading between God’s efforts to preserve the life of Joseph and Mary’s child and Herod’s efforts to kill their child. The angel of the Lord prompts Mary and Joseph to flee into Egypt for their child’s protection. Herod orders all the male children under two to be killed in the Bethlehem area to ensure the death of Joseph and Mary’s child. God is always at work in our world to preserve and enhance life in its various forms, especially life at its most vulnerable. We tend to be at our most vulnerable at the beginning of our lives, in our mother’s womb and in the first months of life, and also at the end of our lives when we often have to deal with sickness in one shape or form. The gospel reading this morning suggests that there are other forces in our world that, like Herod, work to eliminate life, especially when it is at its most vulnerable. Our calling from God, our mission in life, is to keep aligning ourselves with God’s life giving work. The feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that far too many innocent lives have been and, indeed, are being slaughtered. The sobbing and loud lamenting at the loss of innocent life that is referred to at the end of the gospel reading is all too familiar to our ears today. Yet the forces for life that have been released into the world through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus remain stronger than the forces of death. As baptized believers we can each make those forces for life, that Spirit of life, tangible and visible in the way we live and relate to others.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

A few days after celebrating the birth of a child today’s feast recalls that passage in Matthew’s gospel that describes the death of children. There is a lot of darkness in today’s gospel reading, all of it due to the ruler of the time, Herod the Great. Because of him, innocent children are put to death and the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph become refugees, fleeing to Egypt for their safety. The story has a contemporary ring to it. We think of situations in today’s world where those in power are bringing death to others, including children. We recall the thousands of people who have been made refugees because of the cruelty of some. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus was born into a violent world, where those in power were often ruthless in their efforts to protect their own position. The birth of Jesus brought a light into that dark world, the light of God’s love. The first reading declares: ‘God is light; there is no darkness in him at all’. Jesus’ life revealed a different kind of power to the power of those in authority at the time. His life and his death revealed the power of love, a love that was self-emptying in the service of others. Our calling is to allow this love to take flesh in our own lives. It is in this way that, in the words of the first reading, ‘we live our lives in the light, as God is in the light’. The calling to allow Jesus, the light of God’s love, to shine in and through our lives, is a noble but challenging one. We will often fail in our living out of this calling. We sin, but as the first reading says, ‘if we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins’. There is darkness in each one of us but the darkness does not define us because the light of God’s mercy is always stronger than the darkness of our sins. God remains faithful to us and keeps on calling us to bring the light of his Son into the darkness of our world.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Matthew’s story of the birth and early childhood of Jesus is painted in much darker colours than the story that Luke tells. It is Matthew who reminds us that Jesus was born into a world where the powerful people of the land, men like Herod, abused their power, even to the point of shedding innocent blood. Herod the great who tried to do away with the child Jesus would find his counterpart in Pilate who puts the adult Jesus to death. The first reading says that ‘God is light’. Yet, Jesus, God-with-us, was born into and lived in a world where darkness was much in evidence, especially within those who exercised political power. Jesus came as light into darkness, as God’s light into a darkened world. He came as a revelation of God’s love into a world where the darkness of hatred often reigned. He remains a light in our darkness to this day; his life, death and resurrection continue to shine as a beacon in our sometimes dark world. He promises that whoever follows him will never walk in darkness. We look to him to enlighten and guide us, to show us the way we need to walk if we are to be true to our deepest identity as people made in God’s image. We can also rely on him to scatter the darkness that resides in all of our lives. The first reading assures us that ‘if anyone should sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ… the sacrifice that takes our sins away’. We often say that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. In sending his Son into the world, God has done more than light a candle; he has kindled a fire within our darkness, the fire of his love which will never die away.

And/Or

(iii) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

The portrayal of King Herod in this morning’s gospel reading is that of a ruler who is prepared to lash out at even innocent children to defend against what he perceives to be a threat to his power. There have been many such figures down through the course of history, even up to recent times, rulers who are prepared to sacrifice any number of innocent people to ensure that they stay in power. This form of kingship, the kingship of Herod, was the polar opposite of the kingship that Jesus came to proclaim, the kingship of God. Here was a kingship which finds expression not in the oppressive use of power but in the humble service of others. The child Jesus who escaped from Herod’s tyranny went on as an adult to say to his disciples, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant’. None of us will ever act like Herod, but none of us can afford to be complacent either; we can all be prone to dominate in one way or another. The first reading this morning declares, ‘if we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth’. We have to be alert to the ways we can fail to take that path of humble, self-emptying, service of others which is the way of Jesus, the way of God.

And/Or

(iv) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

We know from the historical sources of the time that Herod the Great had a reputation for eliminating anyone whom he considered a threat to his power. He became increasingly paranoid towards the end of his long reign and had several of his own sons killed because he suspected they were plotting to depose him. The picture that Matthew gives us in this morning’s gospel reading of Herod as a ruthless tyrant is in keeping with what we know of Herod’s character. Herod could not tolerate anyone who might be considered King of the Jews, even if the King in question was a recently born baby and, so, in an effort to ensure this baby would die he ordered the killing of all babies of a similar age. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and infancy has a much darker quality than the account we find in Luke’s gospel, with its angels and shepherds, and its people of faith like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna. Matthew suggests that Jesus was born into a world where those in power were ready to sacrifice innocent people if necessary, to ensure their own political survival. As a consequence, the family of Joseph, Mary and their infant son Jesus became refugees in the land of Egypt, far from their own home. We cannot but think of all those who have been made refugees today because of the abuse of political power. Today’s gospel reading suggests that what sustained this family during this vulnerable time of displacement and exile was their faith. Their faith was a light which shone in their darkness. It was Joseph’s relationship with God which helped him to discern the best path to take for his family, and especially for his young son. He emerges from the pages of Matthew’s gospel as a strong, caring and faithful father and husband. Sometimes in our own lives, when other people throw us into a dark place by their self-serving actions, our faith is the only light that can sustain us. Because the Word has become flesh, his light will always shine in our darkness, and as John reminds us in the Prologue to his gospel, no darkness is ever dark enough to overcome that light.

Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland.

Email: [email protected] or  [email protected]

Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie  Please join us via our webcam.

Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC.

Facebook: St John the Baptist RC Parish, Clontarf.

Tumblr: Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin.

ReplyForward

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

28th December >> Fr. Martin's Gospel Reflection on Matt hew 2:13-18 for the Feast of the Holy Innocents:  ‘He had all the male children killed’.

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Matthew 2:13-18

After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

I called my son out of Egypt.

Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loudly lamenting:

it was Rachel weeping for her children,

refusing to be comforted because they were no more.

Gospel (USA)

Matthew 2:13-18

He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem.

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

   When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

   sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

   and she would not be consoled,

   since they were no more.

Reflections (5)

(i) Feast of the Holy Innocents

There is a strong contrast in the gospel reading between God’s efforts to preserve the life of Joseph and Mary’s child and Herod’s efforts to kill their child. The angel of the Lord prompts Mary and Joseph to flee into Egypt for their child’s protection. Herod orders all the male children under two to be killed in the Bethlehem area to ensure the death of Joseph and Mary’s child. God is always at work in our world to preserve and enhance life in its various forms, especially life at its most vulnerable. We tend to be at our most vulnerable at the beginning of our lives, in our mother’s womb and in the first months of life, and also at the end of our lives when we often have to deal with sickness in one shape or form. The gospel reading this morning suggests that there are other forces in our world that, like Herod, work to eliminate life, especially when it is at its most vulnerable. Our calling from God, our mission in life, is to keep aligning ourselves with God’s life giving work. The feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that far too many innocent lives have been and, indeed, are being slaughtered. The sobbing and loud lamenting at the loss of innocent life that is referred to at the end of the gospel reading is all too familiar to our ears today. Yet the forces for life that have been released into the world through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus remain stronger than the forces of death. As baptized believers we can each make those forces for life, that Spirit of life, tangible and visible in the way we live and relate to others.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of the Holy Innocents

A few days after celebrating the birth of a child today’s feast recalls that passage in Matthew’s gospel that describes the death of children. There is a lot of darkness in today’s gospel reading, all of it due to the ruler of the time, Herod the Great. Because of him, innocent children are put to death and the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph become refugees, fleeing to Egypt for their safety. The story has a contemporary ring to it. We think of situations in today’s world where those in power are bringing death to others, including children. We recall the thousands of people who have been made refugees because of the cruelty of some. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus was born into a violent world, where those in power were often ruthless in their efforts to protect their own position. The birth of Jesus brought a light into that dark world, the light of God’s love. The first reading declares: ‘God is light; there is no darkness in him at all’. Jesus’ life revealed a different kind of power to the power of those in authority at the time. His life and his death revealed the power of love, a love that was self-emptying in the service of others. Our calling is to allow this love to take flesh in our own lives. It is in this way that, in the words of the first reading, ‘we live our lives in the light, as God is in the light’. The calling to allow Jesus, the light of God’s love, to shine in and through our lives, is a noble but challenging one. We will often fail in our living out of this calling. We sin, but as the first reading says, ‘if we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins’. There is darkness in each one of us but the darkness does not define us because the light of God’s mercy is always stronger than the darkness of our sins. God remains faithful to us and keeps on calling us to bring the light of his Son into the darkness of our world.

And/Or

(iii) Feast of the Holy Innocents

Matthew’s story of the birth and early childhood of Jesus is painted in much darker colours than the story that Luke tells. It is Matthew who reminds us that Jesus was born into a world where the powerful people of the land, men like Herod, abused their power, even to the point of shedding innocent blood. Herod the great who tried to do away with the child Jesus would find his counterpart in Pilate who puts the adult Jesus to death. The first reading says that ‘God is light’. Yet, Jesus, God-with-us, was born into and lived in a world where darkness was much in evidence, especially within those who exercised political power. Jesus came as light into darkness, as God’s light into a darkened world. He came as a revelation of God’s love into a world where the darkness of hatred often reigned. He remains a light in our darkness to this day; his life, death and resurrection continue to shine as a beacon in our sometimes dark world. He promises that whoever follows him will never walk in darkness. We look to him to enlighten and guide us, to show us the way we need to walk if we are to be true to our deepest identity as people made in God’s image. We can also rely on him to scatter the darkness that resides in all of our lives. The first reading assures us that ‘if anyone should sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ… the sacrifice that takes our sins away’. We often say that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. In sending his Son into the world, God has done more than light a candle; he has kindled a fire within our darkness, the fire of his love which will never die away.

And/Or

(iv) Feast of the Holy Innocents

The portrayal of King Herod in this morning’s gospel reading is that of a ruler who is prepared to lash out at even innocent children to defend against what he perceives to be a threat to his power. There have been many such figures down through the course of history, even up to recent times, rulers who are prepared to sacrifice any number of innocent people to ensure that they stay in power. This form of kingship, the kingship of Herod, was the polar opposite of the kingship that Jesus came to proclaim, the kingship of God. Here was a kingship which finds expression not in the oppressive use of power but in the humble service of others. The child Jesus who escaped from Herod’s tyranny went on as an adult to say to his disciples, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant’. None of us will ever act like Herod, but none of us can afford to be complacent either; we can all be prone to dominate in one way or another. The first reading this morning declares, ‘if we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth’. We have to be alert to the ways we can fail to take that path of humble, self-emptying, service of others which is the way of Jesus, the way of God.

And/Or

(v) Feast of the Holy Innocents

We know from the historical sources of the time that Herod the Great had a reputation for eliminating anyone whom he considered a threat to his power. He became increasingly paranoid towards the end of his long reign and had several of his own sons killed because he suspected they were plotting to depose him. The picture that Matthew gives us in this morning’s gospel reading of Herod as a ruthless tyrant is in keeping with what we know of Herod’s character. Herod could not tolerate anyone who might be considered King of the Jews, even if the King in question was a recently born baby and, so, in an effort to ensure this baby would die he ordered the killing of all babies of a similar age. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and infancy has a much darker quality than the account we find in Luke’s gospel, with its angels and shepherds, and its people of faith like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna. Matthew suggests that Jesus was born into a world where those in power were ready to sacrifice innocent people if necessary, to ensure their own political survival. As a consequence, the family of Joseph, Mary and their infant son Jesus became refugees in the land of Egypt, far from their own home. We cannot but think of all those who have been made refugees today because of the abuse of political power. Today’s gospel reading suggests that what sustained this family during this vulnerable time of displacement and exile was their faith. Their faith was a light which shone in their darkness. It was Joseph’s relationship with God which helped him to discern the best path to take for his family, and especially for his young son. He emerges from the pages of Matthew’s gospel as a strong, caring and faithful father and husband. Sometimes in our own lives, when other people throw us into a dark place by their self-serving actions, our faith is the only light that can sustain us. Because the Word has become flesh, his light will always shine in our darkness, and as John reminds us in the Prologue to his gospel, no darkness is ever dark enough to overcome that light.

Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland.

Email: [email protected] or  [email protected]

Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie  Please join us via our webcam.

Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC.

Facebook: St John the Baptist RC Parish, Clontarf.

Tumblr: Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin.

[pixelonline]

GW2 Story Week - Tor: The First Meeting

Tor never liked sailing much, or flying, or dolyak carts, or really anything that jostled him about while he was trying to read or write. Was it really so hard to just stay still so he could finish this new design? Really? Though this particular complaint had him barred from many an owner’s mode of transportation it never stopped him from voicing it.

“Asura gates exist for a damn reason,” he muttered for what felt like the millionth time. His journal open on his lap, with a sketch of what looked like a hawk coming to realization. Why his father had forced him into this barbaric traveling was still beyond his realm of understanding. He was supposed to replace his father at a trial in Divinity’s Reach, not go on some scenic tour. What good did it do commoners to see a noble traveling? To have one temporarily insert himself into their lives for the sake of appearing like he cared? They worked and lived and loved just fine without his presence, and he worked and dreamed and lived just as well without being directly involved with them. A pompous attitude, sure, but was it really different from what reality had decided was true? He cared no more for the person in the third house of the second village than they did for some Human noble’s bookah son gallivanting around. His father was an ambassador, in any case, so it’s not like anything he did even mattered to people. So long as the waypoint taxes were low and some useful Asura tech made their way to the farms there was no reason to even bother remembering the Human ambassador and his family living in Rata Sum.

The harsh ring of Fort Salma’s watchtower bell forced him out of his pity party. Next stop, this place. Check on some Human/Asura relations at the first human fort between the two capitals, chat with a trader or two, pet a cat, maybe even have dinner with some Seraph commanders or whatever. Then, his trip continues on, stopping at small settlements and trading posts, meeting those who wouldn’t know or bother to remember his face. End up at Dvinity’s Reach and spend the next few months flittering about like some self important toadstool. What a lovely trip, really. With a sigh, his journal carefully closed and fit into the small pouch at his hip, he glanced out the cart’s window to the farmland around him. Inspiration struck whenever it might, and he preferred to be able to jot them down immediately. Propriety be damned.  

His cart rolled to a harsh stop, the dolyak doing their obnoxious dolyak yell as stable hands begin the process of cooling them down. He stepped out of the covered cart, dust rising as his boots hit the ground harshly. With Tor’s face an immediate mask of noble dignity and grace, he greeted the people nearby as if he’d known them all his life. He shook hands with a Sergeant Yarbrough who didn’t seem all that pleased to meet him, and was led from the front gates through the small marketplace and into the fort’s more fortified walls. He stopped abruptly in what appeared to be the dining hall.

“My time is precious, my lord, so forgive me if I don’t spend quality time showing you about. We have centaurs invading all around here and I’m needed to protect the villagers. Your quarters are to the left, down the hall. Last room, can’t miss it.” the Sergeant was curt in his statement, already turned from the room and walking out. “The Captain will meet with you tonight, though. She’s dealing with some issues around the fort. We have a higher rank visiting as well, but she’ll be leaving soon. On some mission for the Queen.” Tor nodded, uninterested in responding. He was already planning his report of the place. The farms were a distance from the market and dolyaks were slow. They’d definitely benefit from the efficiency and speed of a hovering...well...anything.

Tor began to wander about the building. Clearly the center of the Seraph’s settlement, the rooms were all packed with either beds, weapons, or supplies. Still considering what tech would make the Fort and its residents safer, maybe a laser turret system for the centaur issue wouldn’t be the best after all, he wandered through a large door to an open plaza in the center of the keep. Obviously redesigned to be a training area, worn out straw dummies hung off wooden poles sadly and blunt weapons littered the ground. A small well in the center drew his attention. More accurately, the sound coming from the well. A woman, clad in red and gold armor sat with her back against it, humming softly as she sharpened arrows. Her long red hair kept away from her neck and face by a single hair pin, her expression serious and focused on her task.

Girenadayle.

He hadn’t seen her since he was a child. A noble as well, he recalled the times he’d seen her play in the central plaza of Divinity’s Reach. Unafraid of adventure even as a kid, she would throw herself fearlessly into whatever game they were playing. He’d watched from the royal library’s window as she bothered her Seraph sister each day to teach her how to hold a sword, what stances would bring the most to her attacks. Tor had been young when his father was chosen to move to the Asura capital, but he never forgot how this one girl stood out to him. He’d heard about her from time to time. Her sister, murdered on patrol. She joining the ranks after her father was claimed by them as well. She rose to lieutenant quickly, rumors claimed it to be because of her nobility, though he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it couldn’t be true.

“Are you going to stare much longer? It’s getting annoying.” She glared in his direction and a thousand daggers pierced his body. No, there was no way she used her noble rank to gain her military one. Her eyes had been sharpened by many, many battles, that much was obvious.

“Er...I-I, yes. I mean, no! I mean...it’s nice to see you. Again. Once more.” Shut up, shut up, shut up! Mashed onions for brains, Tordacien. He stepped towards her and offered a polite bow. Perfectly noble. Not at all weird. It was completely normal to bow to a soldier. Yep. Everyone did it. All the time. She...she was still staring at him. Slowly from boot tip to skull. He felt like a show moa. Had he been assessing her like this? Surely not. ...Right?

“Book kid. You went to Rata Sum. Not much of a dancer, if my feet remember. What are you doing here?” She set down her arrows and stood. “There isn’t much in the way of Asura here, and if you’re heading to Divinity’s Reach I’m fairly certain the gates are much faster.”

He let out a sigh so deep his entire body slacked, the ping of embarrassment at her remembering his two left feet immediately gone. “Thank you. That’s what I said, but no, I’m supposed to see how the settlements between here and Metrica are, get an idea of how the people we govern live, but we get reports every week so how is seeing it myself supposed to change anything? I’m replacing my father at the royal court this year, not taking a nice tour of the territory and have inane talks about things those living it understand much better than I.” She chuckled as he ran out of air for his sarcastic rant. Leaning against the well she seemed entirely at ease now that he’d dropped his own formal posture.

“Well, you can’t do good with laws and whatnot if you don’t see what the needs are, can you? You sound an awful lot like Faren, though you’d think all the books would have made you far more intelligent. You have a responsibility as a noble and representative of Kryta, you should probably act like it. These people, all people, work hard and deserve your full respect.”

He gaped. She just compared him to the most pompous imbecile in all of Tyria. That pinhead couldn’t be a decent Lord if someone covered the goal in women and coin. A constant fountain of ego, even as a child. He’d never liked Faren. None of that having to do with him easily becoming friends with every child, while Tor found himself lacking the skill, of course. Unable to retort, Tor stood there, completely engulfed in old jealousies and new shame. She definitely had a point. Multiple, even. He’d been treating these people as if they didn’t matter, and she saw right through him. Damn fool, even as an adult.

“I’ll be a court in a few days, myself. Captain Thackeray and I have been building a case against someone very dangerous. We may see each other then, Lord Tordacien.” She walked past him, bumping her armored shoulder against his. The shock of her so close, so warm, drove him out of his thoughts.

“Lady...Lieutenant...er...G-Girenadayle. You, uh, you know...I prefer Tor. My name is kind of a mouthful. And overly grandiose.” He hated stuttering. He thought he’d conquered this while attending the College of Statics, but it would seem that the case not so.

She smiled. “I completely agree. Giren, for me. See you in Divinity’s Reach, Tor.”

He didn’t move, didn’t breathe, until she was completely out of sight. She knew his name. She knew his name. They’d only spoken a handful of times at social gatherings. Years, and years ago. He sat down with a thud. She knew his name, wanted to see him again! ....And most likely thought he was a complete ass. Of course, he sounded like one. The commoners, farmers, tradesmen mattered, dammit. How could he have even thought otherwise?! Without them, nothing would function. Every person in Kryta mattered, made their society function and flow. He was no better than them, he’d never had to do hard labor in his life. There’s no way he’d be able to survive the way these people did with what looked like ease. He rubbed a hand over his face, exhausted suddenly. Yep, he’d been a right bear’s rear end. He left the plaza consumed with examining his past behaviors. He’d have to treat his traveling companions when they reached their final destination. He had no doubt that he’d been a pain to be around. As the Sergeant said, his quarters were easy to find, much nicer than any of the other sleeping areas he’d seen. He was grateful that they’d tried to make him feel welcome, though the streak of guilt at the residents going out of their way to make a room nicer just for him still struck. Sitting at the small writing desk in the far corner of the room underneath a window with just enough of the setting sun’s light creeping through, he pulled out his journal. Opening to a new page, he began to write.

Entry 1: Fort Salma

I’ve been quite terrible, recently. Lady Gi Giren reminded me of that. She’s very much the same as I remember her, and so much better. I know now why I’d never seen her around when visiting the capital from time to time, she was out changing, learning, being someone people needed. And what have I done? Wallow in my own thoughts and never once thought of anyone else. That changes, as of now. I’ll take on this duty to meet the people of Kryta seriously and listen to their concerns. What I can’t change myself I’ll take to the ministers. Surely someone has the capability to fix what’s wrong. It’s well past time to get serious. After father’s task is completed, I’ll find something to do that puts some meaning in my life. Continue working on those elixirs I had such an affinity for in my schooling, maybe. We only met for a moment, but still she is an inspiration, isn’t she?

#hail the platypi #gw2 story week #tordacien #gw2 #this is where he finallt decides to apply himself and starts becoming an asset to Tyria #and also i figured out how to fit what i've been working on into his lorem #*lore

[theeverydaynarcissist]

1.

1. First of all, what do you prefer to be called? Tiffany, I suppose. I don’t really have a preference. 2. What is your favorite form of creative expression? I enjoying writing and curating my blog. 3. How do you like your coffee OR if you don’t like it, why?: I usually like it on the stronger side with a little cream and sugar. Sometimes (usually when eating sweets), I like to drink it black. 4. What is the least desirable thing, in your opinion, to put on a pizza that you have heard of people actually eating?: Oddly enough, I don’t care for pepperonis on pizza. I’ll eat them if I have to, but I don’t really like the taste or the texture. 5. Would you rather witness the beginning or the end of the universe?: The beginning. 6. Describe your favourite pair of socks: I don’t think I have a favorite pair of socks. My socks are quite boring. I have a fuzzy, thick pair that I wear in the winter, that I like, though. 7. What is the current or last song you are listening/listened to, and does it have any special significance to you?: I’m currently listening to Rich and Famous by Sara Phillips. It doesn’t have any special significance to me. 8. Do you prefer rainbows or stars?: Stars. 9. Describe the best day of your life NOT in terms of events, but in terms of your feelings: I can’t think of a day that I would classify as the best. 10. Would you rather go to a planetarium or an aquarium?: The planetarium. There’s one here in Chicago that I haven’t been to yet. I’d really like to go. 11. Do you know the reason that 11:11 is considered to be auspicious?: I have no clue. 12. What decorations are hanging on your walls?: I have two Harry Potter prints on the wall and a photo of my mother and aunt. 13. What is your favourite planet in our solar system?: Neptune is the prettiest, in my opinion. 14. How do you express love?: Affection, gifts, surprises, doing simple things to make life easier for my partner. 15. Do you consider yourself to be more spiritual or scientific?: Scientific. 16. If you had a lava lamp, what color would you want it to be?: I used to own a lava lamp. It was purple with glitter. 17. Would you rather be able to revisit your past to simply re-experience a positive moment or revisit your past in order to change things and risk the consequences?: There is very little in my past that I want to re-experience, so I guess I would change things. 18. Have you ever had a past-life regression or memory?: Not that I can recall. 19. What is your favourite holiday and why?: Thanksgiving. I enjoy cooking and eating food and spending time with my family. 20. Are you better with remembering dates or names?: I think I’m adept at remembering dates and names. 21. What was your favourite book that you had to read for a class?: In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote. 22. What is your favourite number and why is it significant to you?: I don’t have a favorite number. 23. Would you rather explore space or the ocean?: I’m terrified of both, but more interested in space. Plus, there are far fewer grotesque creatures in space. 24. What prompted you to call the last person you called?: I call him everyday. 25. Star Trek or Star Wars?: Star Wars. 26. Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter?: Harry Potter. I could not get through Lord of the Rings. It was incredibly boring. 27. What is your favourite band and why?: I don’t have a favorite band. I really like Alt-J and Mutemath, though. 28. What colour best resonates with your best friend(s)?: Blue for Dawn and Matthew and I’m not sure about Michael. 29. Where do you work and why do you work there?: I work as a nanny. I do it because I enjoy working with children and it gives me teaching experience I can use after I finish college and start working as a teacher. 30. Have you ever gone to a public karaoke facility, and what did you sing?: I have never sang karaoke and likely never will. 31. What animal do you feel most connected with?: I don’t feel connected with any animal. 32. Have you ever had “special brownies” or any other kind of “special” treat?: No. 33. What book are you reading at the moment?: I’m rereading the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, Packing for Mars, by Mary Roach, and A Rose for Her Grave, by Ann Rule. 34. What is the funniest thing that you have done at a fast food restaurant? I don’t think I’ve ever done anything funny at a fast food restaurant. 35. Do you enjoy listening to music that is sung in another language?: Not particularly. 36. Quote the last movie you watched: “It is written.” 37. Do you know more than just your sun sign (like your ascending sign or moon sign etc.)?: I do not. 38. Do you have any jewelry on you that holds significance, and if so, what is it and why is it significant?: Yeah, a gold necklace with the letter “m” on it. It’s my boyfriend’s initial. 39. What is your favorite kind of cheesecake?: I’m not a big fan of cheesecake. 40. Why did you last feel warm and fuzzy inside?: Maybe over the weekend. 41. What band that no longer performs together do you wish would have a reunion tour?: I have no idea.

42. What band that IS still together do you wish would perform in your area?: Alt-J or Violents (not really a band). 43. Have you ever been in a band, and what role did you play in it?: I was only in symphonic band in middle school. I played the flute. 44. What has been the single most frightening experience of your life?: Most of my childhood I guess. 45. Who is/was your favourite Spice Girl?: I didn’t have a favorite. 46. Do you prefer free verse or poetry set in a form?: I’m not a big fan of poetry. 47. In a hotel, would you choose to go in the hot tub, the sauna, the workout room, or the pool?: Maybe the sauna after a workout. 48. Imagine that you are exploring space. Who would you want with you and what would you want to explore, assuming you are not limited in any way?: Marc. And if I’m not limited in any way I’d want to explore Earth 2.0. 49. Have you ever astral projected?: No. 50. What is your favourite song by the group t.A.T.u?: I don’t have one. 51. Describe what you envision as “paradise”: Penthouse (paid off) in downtown Chicago with valet services, career I love with a six figure income, and sharing it with my favorite person. 52. What element do you feel most connected to?: None. 53. What is a cause that you feel very strongly about and why?: There are so many. Equality of every variety, mostly. 54. What was your favourite class from the last year that you were in school?: I’m in a children’s literature class right now that I really like. 55. What is a topic that you study independently for your own interest?: True crime. 56. Describe what you would want to wear if you were getting married, handfasted, or having some kind of “love celebration” or “commitment” ceremony between yourself and another? An Elie Saab black lace gown with a black lace veil. 57. What song do you want played at your funeral?: I haven’t really considered my own death and funeral, so I’m not sure. 58. Would you rather alphabetize or put things in order according to numbers?: It depends on what I’m organizing. Usually I do a combination of both. 59. What medication do you dislike the most?: Any sort of prescription painkiller. They make me nauseous. 60. Would you rather write a story or a poem?: A story. 61. Do you believe in non-physical entities, and if so have you ever communicated with one?: No. 62. What invention or discovery do you think that the scientific community should focus on?: Hm, I have no idea. Maybe something related to the medical field or something to combat climate change. 63. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?: Iceland. I’d like to visit the Blue Lagoon. 64. What skill do people often compliment you on?: How well I write. 65. What are three facets of your personality or thinking patterns that you want to improve?: I would like to procrastinate less, become less susceptible to jealousy and insecurity, and take care better care of my body and mind.   66. What is your favourite symbol?: An alinea. 67. Name an unusual shortcut or file that’s on your desktop: I don’t have any shortcuts on my desktop, aside from the recycling bin. 68. What do you smell like right now?: Vanilla sugar perfume. 69. You get to have a theme party of your choice, just for fun. What theme do you choose?: Harry Potter or Game of Thrones. 70. Have you ever been in the depths of a cave?: I have not. 71. How do you deal with the dark side of yourself?: I’m still learning to do that. Lots of self-reflection tends to be helpful. 72. Name something that you can’t help but save: I don’t like clutter so I don’t tend to save things. 73. What is your addiction?: Peach green tea from Starbucks. 74. If you could wish something for three people, but not for yourself, who would the wishes be for and what would they be?: Success and true happiness for Marc.

An infinite amount of money for my grandmother.

A girlfriend for Matthew that meets all his needs and wants. 75. Would you rather send a message in a bottle or on a balloon?: Balloon I suppose. 76. What did you dream last night?: I remember a blogger I like sending me messages and telling me all the things that are wrong with me and how I should change them to make people like me better. 77. What is one of your most frequent daydreams?: Being rich and being able to buy lavish gifts for everyone I love and care about. 78. What is your favourite stuffed animal?: I don’t have one. 79. If you could have a conversation with any well-known figure of the past or present, who would it be and what would you want to talk about?: That would require a bit more thought. 80. If you could bring anyone back to life, who would it be?: My mom. 81. Are you affectionate?: Only with one person. 82. Name one thing that each of your best friends is really good at: Matthew is very thoughtful and excellent at putting the needs of others before himself. He’s also a great crime stopper!

Dawn can succeed at anything she puts her mind too and has great work ethic.

Michael is a great debater and has the ability to see things from many different perspectives.   83. What are you a perfectionist with?: Everything, honestly. It’s detrimental in a lot of ways and I dislike it. 84. Could you see yourself being able to carry on a long distance relationship?: I’ve been in too many long distance relationships. I couldn’t do that again. 85. If you could be anything but human, including anything mythical, what would you be?: I’d like to be a well taken care of dog or cat. 86. Have you ever meditated? If so, what is your method, and if not, what do you do to relax?: I used to meditate during yoga. I should get back into that. 87. What is something about yourself that you feel no one else understands?: How deep my insecurities are and how fragile my ego is.

#personal survey #survey

[extraquarterblog]

Gone but not forgotten, the story of Project Offset

Project Offset

The beauty of being a gamer, is that there's always a high degree of excitement for the next AAA release. The industry over the years has delivered so many new series or sequels, that regardless of the year, there's always a title to look forward to on the calender. While some games release on time, others well, get delayed a bit, and then you have some titles, pushed back years. It's a level of frustration that few can understand outside being a gamer. All the teasing, videos, images, demos, that tug on a gamers heart for years n years till the final release date, becoming a passionately exhausting roller coaster. 

Unfortunately, history has shown, there are a select few titles, despite the enormous attention and potential, will never see the light of day. None showed so much promise, potential and excitement, arguably more than Project Offset. 

Now for some of you reading, might be wondering What's Project Offset? Well, don't feel bad if you don't have a clue to what it is. Project Offset originally made its debut a decade ago. A time where YouTube was just starting, Myspace was all the rage, and service pack 3 for Windows XP wasn't a thing yet. So back then, it was actually pretty easy to overlook a new trailer or projects studios were working on. But for those who do know what Project Offset is, undoubtedly feel a slight bit of sadness towards the game that never was. 

"We're making a first person shooter, set in a epic fantasy world, rendered at cinematic quality"

To bring you all up to speed. In 2005, a new studio by the name Offset Software demonstrated a revolutionary new engine, showcasing stunningly beautiful visuals that pretty much shocked the industry. The original demo gave several different glimpse of a Kingdom of old, under attack by unknown invaders, Dragons and Orcs. Project Offset also had a unique twist to the FPS approach as well, instead of machine guns like Halo or Call of Duty, it used crossbows, stealth and magic. The whole display screamed Lord of The Rings, which released their final film in late 2003. To quote the original video "We're making a first person shooter, set in a epic fantasy world, rendered at cinematic quality." And that was the thing,at the time, the visuals were so damn amazing, that it did appear to reach the mythical unicorn, a video game that had the visuals of a big blockbuster Hollywood film - The ultimate wet dream for a gamer. 

On-line debates of fans posting comparison pictures of the Orcs from Lord of The Rings and the Orc shown in the Offset Demo are still fresh in my mind. Though the difference was still clear that Hollywood, still several steps ahead, but everyone agreed, this has been the biggest jump towards a cinematic presentation then ever before. However - not everyone was convinced. The Gaming industry has been plagued by fake "real time" demos and constant PR bullshots for decades, why should this be any different? Especially when very little was known about Offset studios, not to mention its very small size. The few staff members that we knew were Sam McGrath, Travis Stinger and Trevor Stringer, who all previously worked for S2 Games. 

For the most part, Offset Studios was an enigma, despite all the red flags, everyone was too busy drooling over the gorgeous videos and images. 

If Offset Studios was famous for its Project Offset demo, then it was equally famous for how little information they ever gave out and their silence. Which made it incredibly frustrating for its fans. There was no twitter to make cryptic tweets, or a blog to leave little nuggets of info on how the development going, wouldn't appear till years later. Nope. Nothing. The only place, where you could get the slightest glimmer of anything Offset related was on the official website forum. Which had its own unique community, that grew over the course of Offset life, creating its own distinct culture. The lack of any information didn't stop the devoted to scrubbing through every single frame of the few videos released and discussing any tidbit of graphical hardware related to Nvidia or ATI. 

They worshiped various Idols, none so more famous than the fabled Teapot, the holy grail of the game. Some believed the Teapot would be the final boss. An unstoppable foe which could summon the very fabric of life, creating a sea of monsters to fight. All hail the Teapot! Joking aside, random objects fans happened to spot from the demos soon became viral. For instance the Teapot I was talking about, one of the videos showed a room filled with little trolls running around, and at the corner of the screen, you could see a 3D Teapot model in the background, that seemed all the trolls were appearing from. Little things like this, gave this little corner of the internet life, as fans waited hand and foot for any crumb to devour. 

Offset Software living up to their reputation of remaining silent, leaving fans empty, with hardly any details given - For years. Rumors of the entire project were nothing more than smoke and mirrors continued to grow and the online community numbers would continue to whittled down to only a few active members left. Project Offset, the most promising looking title had all but vanished. Until one fabled day in early 2007, a leaked video showcasing entirely new artwork and video footage spilled out onto the interwebs. Causing an eruption of hype, the game was real and more importantly, it was alive. Though, despite the warm feedback from the community, it seemed the higher staff was not happy at all about the video being leaked. Supposedly, it was made for internal purposes only. Official quote the man himself: It has come to our attention that a video we made for internal purposes was leaked and is being spread around. Again, this video was for internal use only and we didn't intend to release it publicly. We'd like to request that news sites, please not post this video - Sam McGrath.

Of course, this only leads to further speculation and rumors surrounding the game. Why create an internal video demonstrating the game to such a small staff size? Are they aware of what they're working on? The video is getting fantastic attention and praise, why try to remove it? Something was amiss with Offset Software, which, of course, continuing their fine reputation. Went underground, Again. 

The world of Project Offset remained silent once more for some time until an unthinkable bombshell scenario hit. Intel, the giant semiconductor, CPU making beast, in early 2008 - purchased Offset Software. It was the shot that rang across the world kind of moment. Why did Intel have any remote interest in a software gaming company? Well, if you recall, years and years ago, Intel had great interest getting in the GPU market, to rival against Nvidia or ATI. Working on their own card under the code name Larrabee. Intel GPU was supposed to deliver unheard of gaming performance, showcasing real time Ray tracing, which was unheard of at the time. So, if you had an unbelievable graphic card, what better than to pair it up with an unbelievable game, Project Offset. 

Naturally, everything about was met with mix emotions. More red flags continued to be raised and speculation about the earlier leaked internal video was originally made to pitch to Intel to seal a deal. While others felt relief that Offset Software now resting on the shoulders of Intel would have all the resources needed and time to develop the game. As for a while, people began to wonder, if this game was ever going to see the light of day...

Thankfully, Offset Software started to release a few additional demos and pictures, showcasing other interesting tidbits of their engine. Giving hope that the project was well alive and the partnership with Intel looked to be a fantastic match made. A complete 180 from a company, previously famous for being so tight lipped. A steady flow of information continued to dip out throughout 2008 and early 2009. A promising sign that the development was going well, and fans began to speculate that Offset Software was getting ready to completely unveil the game from their shroud of mystery and even possibly a release date. The game been in development for several years now, surely something should be coming.

Then everything went quiet. 

Did the company go back to their traditional ways? Was Project Offset deep in development Hell? Were things going sour with Intel? Regardless of rumors floating around. Things didn't feel right. 

Sadly, in early July 2010. Intel canceled their Larrabee project and scrapping everything connected to it. Including Offset Software, which at the same time disbanded. For any fan, who follows a game in development for years and years, this is, without any argument the very worst possible scenario. Gone, done. Goodbye. There was no Larrabee, no Offset studio, and Project Offset will forever remain nothing more than a video, sitting on YouTube. 

After the disbanding of Offset Software, few details are known what happened with the original staff. Several employees split ways left to do their own thing while a portion of the staff joined together to create a new company Adhesive games.  Who already have one release under their belt Hawken, A title you can play right now. While the former Offset leads created a new smaller company Fractiv, making mobile App games. 

Questions piled up after the fateful day, fans who chased after Project Offset was left with very little closure. No one would get any answers until a post on Fractiv website giving a few details, relating to the ending with Intel and showing off a few pieces of Project Offset:

"Our previous company, Offset Software, was purchased by Intel in 2008. Our labor of love was Project Offset and the game engine that went with it. As many of our fans already know, Project Offset was cancelled. The graphics hardware it was being designed for did not ship and our game was a casualty of this. The IP and Engine are property of Intel so its future is out of our hands. We have tried working with Intel to obtain the rights and there are some good people there who have made some effort to help us, but without success. We would like to thank all those who supported us and the project. We learned some good lessons along the way and met some incredibly talented people who we are fortunate enough to call our friends"

So with that, answered several questions relating to the fate of Project Offset and Intel. On that same blog, Sam shared a portfolio reel piece that belonged to one of the animators who worked on Project Offset showcasing never before seen footage, including a few brief pieces that included audio, showing the game was at the stage of voice acting. Sadly, that would be the last piece shown of Project Offset for several years...

Until last year, a sound engineer who previously worked with Intel, posted a few videos, all never before seen footage of stages and enemies, including a few boss fights, showcasing that the game was indeed in playable form. Answering one of the age old question, was the game smoke n mirrors, or was it legit? Seeing these final videos, shows, that Project Offset was indeed real and at some point playable. 

Despite its age, the game still looks gorgeous, the atmosphere and detail is top notch, I would be so bold to say, lives up to today's titles on the current consoles. A little rough around the edges, but that should be a true testament to just how unbelievable this game was when it made its debut a decade ago. A title with graphics that would be several consoles ahead. It's a tragic story, what could of been, to imagine not only how great Project Offset could of been, but what Offset Software could of done next.

#Project Offset #Offset Software #PC

[romancatholicreflections]

28th December >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflection on Matt hew 2:13-18 for the Feast of the Holy Innocents: ‘He had all the male children killed’. Feast of the Holy Innocents Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada) Matthew 2:13-18 After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I called my son out of Egypt. Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they were no more. Gospel (USA) Matthew 2:13-18 He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem. When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more. Reflections (5) (i) Feast of the Holy Innocents There is a strong contrast in the gospel reading between God’s efforts to preserve the life of Joseph and Mary’s child and Herod’s efforts to kill their child. The angel of the Lord prompts Mary and Joseph to flee into Egypt for their child’s protection. Herod orders all the male children under two to be killed in the Bethlehem area to ensure the death of Joseph and Mary’s child. God is always at work in our world to preserve and enhance life in its various forms, especially life at its most vulnerable. We tend to be at our most vulnerable at the beginning of our lives, in our mother’s womb and in the first months of life, and also at the end of our lives when we often have to deal with sickness in one shape or form. The gospel reading this morning suggests that there are other forces in our world that, like Herod, work to eliminate life, especially when it is at its most vulnerable. Our calling from God, our mission in life, is to keep aligning ourselves with God’s life giving work. The feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that far too many innocent lives have been and, indeed, are being slaughtered. The sobbing and loud lamenting at the loss of innocent life that is referred to at the end of the gospel reading is all too familiar to our ears today. Yet the forces for life that have been released into the world through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus remain stronger than the forces of death. As baptized believers we can each make those forces for life, that Spirit of life, tangible and visible in the way we live and relate to others. And/Or (ii) Feast of the Holy Innocents A few days after celebrating the birth of a child today’s feast recalls that passage in Matthew’s gospel that describes the death of children. There is a lot of darkness in today’s gospel reading, all of it due to the ruler of the time, Herod the Great. Because of him, innocent children are put to death and the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph become refugees, fleeing to Egypt for their safety. The story has a contemporary ring to it. We think of situations in today’s world where those in power are bringing death to others, including children. We recall the thousands of people who have been made refugees because of the cruelty of some. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus was born into a violent world, where those in power were often ruthless in their efforts to protect their own position. The birth of Jesus brought a light into that dark world, the light of God’s love. The first reading declares: ‘God is light; there is no darkness in him at all’. Jesus’ life revealed a different kind of power to the power of those in authority at the time. His life and his death revealed the power of love, a love that was self-emptying in the service of others. Our calling is to allow this love to take flesh in our own lives. It is in this way that, in the words of the first reading, ‘we live our lives in the light, as God is in the light’. The calling to allow Jesus, the light of God’s love, to shine in and through our lives, is a noble but challenging one. We will often fail in our living out of this calling. We sin, but as the first reading says, ‘if we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins’. There is darkness in each one of us but the darkness does not define us because the light of God’s mercy is always stronger than the darkness of our sins. God remains faithful to us and keeps on calling us to bring the light of his Son into the darkness of our world. And/Or (iii) Feast of the Holy Innocents Matthew’s story of the birth and early childhood of Jesus is painted in much darker colours than the story that Luke tells. It is Matthew who reminds us that Jesus was born into a world where the powerful people of the land, men like Herod, abused their power, even to the point of shedding innocent blood. Herod the great who tried to do away with the child Jesus would find his counterpart in Pilate who puts the adult Jesus to death. The first reading says that ‘God is light’. Yet, Jesus, God-with-us, was born into and lived in a world where darkness was much in evidence, especially within those who exercised political power. Jesus came as light into darkness, as God’s light into a darkened world. He came as a revelation of God’s love into a world where the darkness of hatred often reigned. He remains a light in our darkness to this day; his life, death and resurrection continue to shine as a beacon in our sometimes dark world. He promises that whoever follows him will never walk in darkness. We look to him to enlighten and guide us, to show us the way we need to walk if we are to be true to our deepest identity as people made in God’s image. We can also rely on him to scatter the darkness that resides in all of our lives. The first reading assures us that ‘if anyone should sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ… the sacrifice that takes our sins away’. We often say that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. In sending his Son into the world, God has done more than light a candle; he has kindled a fire within our darkness, the fire of his love which will never die away. And/Or (iv) Feast of the Holy Innocents The portrayal of King Herod in this morning’s gospel reading is that of a ruler who is prepared to lash out at even innocent children to defend against what he perceives to be a threat to his power. There have been many such figures down through the course of history, even up to recent times, rulers who are prepared to sacrifice any number of innocent people to ensure that they stay in power. This form of kingship, the kingship of Herod, was the polar opposite of the kingship that Jesus came to proclaim, the kingship of God. Here was a kingship which finds expression not in the oppressive use of power but in the humble service of others. The child Jesus who escaped from Herod’s tyranny went on as an adult to say to his disciples, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant’. None of us will ever act like Herod, but none of us can afford to be complacent either; we can all be prone to dominate in one way or another. The first reading this morning declares, ‘if we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth’. We have to be alert to the ways we can fail to take that path of humble, self-emptying, service of others which is the way of Jesus, the way of God. And/Or (v) Feast of the Holy Innocents We know from the historical sources of the time that Herod the Great had a reputation for eliminating anyone whom he considered a threat to his power. He became increasingly paranoid towards the end of his long reign and had several of his own sons killed because he suspected they were plotting to depose him. The picture that Matthew gives us in this morning’s gospel reading of Herod as a ruthless tyrant is in keeping with what we know of Herod’s character. Herod could not tolerate anyone who might be considered King of the Jews, even if the King in question was a recently born baby and, so, in an effort to ensure this baby would die he ordered the killing of all babies of a similar age. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and infancy has a much darker quality than the account we find in Luke’s gospel, with its angels and shepherds, and its people of faith like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna. Matthew suggests that Jesus was born into a world where those in power were ready to sacrifice innocent people if necessary, to ensure their own political survival. As a consequence, the family of Joseph, Mary and their infant son Jesus became refugees in the land of Egypt, far from their own home. We cannot but think of all those who have been made refugees today because of the abuse of political power. Today’s gospel reading suggests that what sustained this family during this vulnerable time of displacement and exile was their faith. Their faith was a light which shone in their darkness. It was Joseph’s relationship with God which helped him to discern the best path to take for his family, and especially for his young son. He emerges from the pages of Matthew’s gospel as a strong, caring and faithful father and husband. Sometimes in our own lives, when other people throw us into a dark place by their self-serving actions, our faith is the only light that can sustain us. Because the Word has become flesh, his light will always shine in our darkness, and as John reminds us in the Prologue to his gospel, no darkness is ever dark enough to overcome that light. Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie Please join us via our webcam. Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC. Facebook: St John the Baptist RC Parish, Clontarf. Tumblr: Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

28th December >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 2:13-18 for The Feast of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs: ‘Escape into Egypt’.

The Feast of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Matthew 2:13-18

The massacre of the innocents

After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

I called my son out of Egypt.

Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loudly lamenting:

it was Rachel weeping for her children,

refusing to be comforted because they were no more.

Gospel (USA)

Matthew 2:13-18

He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem.

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be consoled,

since they were no more. 

Reflections (5)

(i) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

There is a strong contrast in the gospel reading between God’s efforts to preserve the life of Joseph and Mary’s child and Herod’s efforts to kill their child. The angel of the Lord prompts Mary and Joseph to flee into Egypt for their child’s protection. Herod orders all the male children under two to be killed in the Bethlehem area to ensure the death of Joseph and Mary’s child. God is always at work in our world to preserve and enhance life in its various forms, especially life at its most vulnerable. We tend to be at our most vulnerable at the beginning of our lives, in our mother’s womb and in the first months of life, and also at the end of our lives when we often have to deal with sickness in one shape or form. The gospel reading this morning suggests that there are other forces in our world that, like Herod, work to eliminate life, especially when it is at its most vulnerable. Our calling from God, our mission in life, is to keep aligning ourselves with God’s life giving work. The feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that far too many innocent lives have been and, indeed, are being slaughtered. The sobbing and loud lamenting at the loss of innocent life that is referred to at the end of the gospel reading is all too familiar to our ears today. Yet the forces for life that have been released into the world through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus remain stronger than the forces of death. As baptized believers we can each make those forces for life, that Spirit of life, tangible and visible in the way we live and relate to others.

And/Or

(ii) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

A few days after celebrating the birth of a child today’s feast recalls that passage in Matthew’s gospel that describes the death of children. There is a lot of darkness in today’s gospel reading, all of it due to the ruler of the time, Herod the Great. Because of him, innocent children are put to death and the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph become refugees, fleeing to Egypt for their safety. The story has a contemporary ring to it. We think of situations in today’s world where those in power are bringing death to others, including children. We recall the thousands of people who have been made refugees because of the cruelty of some. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus was born into a violent world, where those in power were often ruthless in their efforts to protect their own position. The birth of Jesus brought a light into that dark world, the light of God’s love. The first reading declares: ‘God is light; there is no darkness in him at all’. Jesus’ life revealed a different kind of power to the power of those in authority at the time. His life and his death revealed the power of love, a love that was self-emptying in the service of others. Our calling is to allow this love to take flesh in our own lives. It is in this way that, in the words of the first reading, ‘we live our lives in the light, as God is in the light’. The calling to allow Jesus, the light of God’s love, to shine in and through our lives, is a noble but challenging one. We will often fail in our living out of this calling. We sin, but as the first reading says, ‘if we acknowledge our sins, then God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins’. There is darkness in each one of us but the darkness does not define us because the light of God’s mercy is always stronger than the darkness of our sins. God remains faithful to us and keeps on calling us to bring the light of his Son into the darkness of our world.

 And/Or

(iii) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Matthew’s story of the birth and early childhood of Jesus is painted in much darker colours than the story that Luke tells. It is Matthew who reminds us that Jesus was born into a world where the powerful people of the land, men like Herod, abused their power, even to the point of shedding innocent blood. Herod the great who tried to do away with the child Jesus would find his counterpart in Pilate who puts the adult Jesus to death. The first reading says that ‘God is light’. Yet, Jesus, God-with-us, was born into and lived in a world where darkness was much in evidence, especially within those who exercised political power. Jesus came as light into darkness, as God’s light into a darkened world. He came as a revelation of God’s love into a world where the darkness of hatred often reigned. He remains a light in our darkness to this day; his life, death and resurrection continue to shine as a beacon in our sometimes dark world. He promises that whoever follows him will never walk in darkness. We look to him to enlighten and guide us, to show us the way we need to walk if we are to be true to our deepest identity as people made in God’s image. We can also rely on him to scatter the darkness that resides in all of our lives. The first reading assures us that ‘if anyone should sin, we have our advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ… the sacrifice that takes our sins away’. We often say that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. In sending his Son into the world, God has done more than light a candle; he has kindled a fire within our darkness, the fire of his love which will never die away.

 And/Or

(iv) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

The portrayal of King Herod in this morning’s gospel reading is that of a ruler who is prepared to lash out at even innocent children to defend against what he perceives to be a threat to his power. There have been many such figures down through the course of history, even up to recent times, rulers who are prepared to sacrifice any number of innocent people to ensure that they stay in power. This form of kingship, the kingship of Herod, was the polar opposite of the kingship that Jesus came to proclaim, the kingship of God. Here was a kingship which finds expression not in the oppressive use of power but in the humble service of others. The child Jesus who escaped from Herod’s tyranny went on as an adult to say to his disciples, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant’. None of us will ever act like Herod, but none of us can afford to be complacent either; we can all be prone to dominate in one way or another. The first reading this morning declares, ‘if we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth’. We have to be alert to the ways we can fail to take that path of humble, self-emptying, service of others which is the way of Jesus, the way of God.

And/Or

 (v) Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

We know from the historical sources of the time that Herod the Great had a reputation for eliminating anyone whom he considered a threat to his power. He became increasingly paranoid towards the end of his long reign and had several of his own sons killed because he suspected they were plotting to depose him. The picture that Matthew gives us in this morning’s gospel reading of Herod as a ruthless tyrant is in keeping with what we know of Herod’s character. Herod could not tolerate anyone who might be considered King of the Jews, even if the King in question was a recently born baby and, so, in an effort to ensure this baby would die he ordered the killing of all babies of a similar age. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and infancy has a much darker quality than the account we find in Luke’s gospel, with its angels and shepherds, and its people of faith like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna. Matthew suggests that Jesus was born into a world where those in power were ready to sacrifice innocent people if necessary, to ensure their own political survival. As a consequence, the family of Joseph, Mary and their infant son Jesus became refugees in the land of Egypt, far from their own home. We cannot but think of all those who have been made refugees today because of the abuse of political power. Today’s gospel reading suggests that what sustained this family during this vulnerable time of displacement and exile was their faith. Their faith was a light which shone in their darkness. It was Joseph’s relationship with God which helped him to discern the best path to take for his family, and especially for his young son. He emerges from the pages of Matthew’s gospel as a strong, caring and faithful father and husband. Sometimes in our own lives, when other people throw us into a dark place by their self-serving actions, our faith is the only light that can sustain us. Because the Word has become flesh, his light will always shine in our darkness, and as John reminds us in the Prologue to his gospel, no darkness is ever dark enough to overcome that light.

Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland.

Email: [email protected] or  [email protected]

Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie  Please join us via our webcam.

Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC.

Facebook: St John the Baptist RC Parish, Clontarf.

Tumblr: Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin.