Posted on 01/08/2010 11:01:28 AM PST by Judith Anne
Which all goes to prove that the beautiful ceremonies aren't nearly as organized as people think they are. Trust me. They're not. Especially if the choir doesn't get a script and nobody's watching for text messages that say "We're ready" eventhough the closed circuit cameras aren't showing any sort of line-up. Can't wait for Holy Week.
Meant to ping you to 101.
Rather think "the faith" is to be asserted. Let those who deny reality do the defending.
I don't see much "defending" of Islam, but it's being successfully asserted all over the world.
"...the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence..."
Rather think “the faith” is to be asserted.
- - - - -
Time for the Church Militant (Ecclesia Militans) to become more militant? I like it.
I agree. Even the Bible says to correct our brother or sister when they are wrong. I have always looked at my posts in that light.
Now if other people refuse to listen/read. Then that is their problem. I have done my duty and called the truth to their attention. I really can’t form their conscience or mind. But there is always the possibility of planting a seed of truth.
Worth pondering — the truth, that is!
We have a higher standard. And we should attempt to hold ourselves to that higher standard. Lord knows that I fail often enough. Doesn't mean that we shouldn't try. Alaric the Visigoth sacked Rome in a particularly barbaric fashion. Should the Romans have acted in a similar barbaric fashion in their defense? The Islamicists attack us in particularly barbaric fashion. Should we reply in kind? No. Let us attempt to maintain a higher standard while still remaining in defense of the Faith.
I agree. Even the Bible says to correct our brother or sister when they are wrong. I have always looked at my posts in that light.
Now if other people refuse to listen/read. Then that is their problem. I have done my duty and called the truth to their attention. I really can’t form their conscience or mind. But there is always the possibility of planting a seed of truth.
Worth pondering — the truth, that is!
- - - - - - - -
In complete agreement with you, Salvation.
WWJD? When in doubt, go to the Master.
3.The chief priests accused him of many things.
4.So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
5.But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
-Mark 15:3-5
Our music director is the master of the ad hoc, on the fly, baling wire and chewing gum choir performance.
He's constrained by the fact that with an amateur choir, you NEVER know who's going to show up. "What do you want to sing today?" is a not infrequent question. Of course, now that we have a good solid repertoire of 10-15 chants and about 40 motets or anthems, there's always an answer.
Thank heavens we finally got a staff alto! I'm more of a thin reed than a staff!
The very obsession with which otherwise rational people dedicate themselves to the spreading of anti-Catholic propaganda indicates an unease of conscience about the Church. It is therefore our duty to point the way to those people, and it can only be done with personal witness, not references to catechetical material done by others.
However, like in any effort, observe the measure. I take breaks from FR; I wouldn’t deny a break to anyone else.
Thanks.
And when they shall bring you into the synagogues, and to magistrates and powers, be not solicitous how or what you shall answer, or what you shall say; For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you must say.
Luke 12:11-12
And every day they ceased not in the temple, and from house to house, to teach and preach Christ Jesus.
Acts 5:42
Um, I really hate to say this, but that's about how many will be in our boxes to get us through Easter when we get to our next rehearsal. And that doesn't count Transitional Diaconate Ordination. Tis the season for four binders. We haven't even turned in all the Christmas stuff yet, either.
Honestly, it always looks much more smooth than it really is. You've always got to be ready for the unexpected. Not everybody is a ceremony nerd.
This is true in political debates, abortion debates, homosexual debates, 2nd amendment debates, etc. - but those are of no effect to us because Free Republic is a united conservative voice and the opposing view has no voice here.
But fast forward to debates that are allowed on this forum among conservatives - whether it is creationism v evolution, civil war or as some call it the "war of Northern agression," Apple v Microsoft, Kosovo, Pit Bulls, etc. --- and most especially theological debates.
In all these areas, the opposing sides - both of which are conservative - have their own set of facts which the other would gladly call "lies." Any crevo thread stands as clear evidence of this.
And when they do start calling each other liars and such on crevo, civil war, etc. threads a flame war often results and threads end up in the smoky backroom, posters become angry, get into trouble, etc.
But the theological debate has its own forum specifically so that people can talk about God and their beliefs or non-beliefs. The forum itself is strongly committed to 1st amendment Freedom of Religion. And because the sides are often hardened against each other, the debate has its own moderator and is held to a higher standard to avoid flame wars.
So when a poster on the RF repeats something that to you is outrageously false remember that he may also feel the same way about something you believe is absolute objective truth.
Both of you can say the other guy's statement is false, misleading, factually incorrect - but if either of you say the other is a liar, then it is "making it personal" and will lead to a flame war. That is why I have, and will continue to, intervene with on thread warnings, etc.
Problem is, we don't have enough serious amateurs in this choir. Too many ladies of a certain age who can't really read music, too many lazy guys who don't take their work seriously, too many folks who don't show up for practice but can't sightread . . . .
On the other hand, I've played in the big leagues. Audition-only Episcopal choirs since the age of 6 (including 2 cathedral choirs), tours, Spoleto, recordings, the Protestant Hour live radio broadcasts, etc. Often directed by Type A tightly-wound control freaks who screamed and threw things.
All in all, I think I like this better. And it's astonishing how much good and fairly difficult music we are singing now, despite the laid back attitude.
New stuff is constantly introduced. Got 3 new ones last night - "This Is the Record of John", the Bruckner gradual "Christus Factus", and one other that I'm too lazy to go check in my folder - but I think it was another English Renaissance.
well, yes and no. I, personally, have benefitted a lot from my discussions with Orthodox like Kolokotronis and kosta50, with Lutherans like lightman and redgolum, with Anglicans like sionnsar. Even with some evangelicals — to some extent, one can have a dialogue. Staying away completely would have robbed me of the chance to know these people and their beliefs which have enhanced my own.
being misunderstood is one thing — stopping would-be Goebbels from poisoning the minds of others, is different and something I think we have a duty to do.
I don't mind honest people who believe differently and would like to argue in a respectful manner. But, the usual suspects are a waste of breath. Like trying to make Medea Benjamin patriotic there is no way you can force them to behave as Christians.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.