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Artistic Renderings of The Annunciation

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Last week we revisited the two Gospel stories, in Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25, where the angel of God comes to speak to Mary and Joseph about God's plan.  In Mary's case, the angel reveals that young Mary will be the bearer of God's new life for the world, carrying and giving birth to the Son of God.  In Joseph's case, the angel intervenes when Joseph is temtped to quietly abandon Mary and the unborn child.  Joseph is en-couraged, and the two humble (and initially overwhelmed) people dedicate their lives in a remarkable faithfulness that can encourage us and stimulate our imaginations. The renderings of the angel and Mary are from Collier, DaVinci, Nesterov, and Caravaggio. The one of the angel and Jospeh is unattributed.  Are there any of them that really engage your attention?  
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Seasons of the Church Year

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In response to a fine question, we explored the different seasons of the Church Year. It was observed that there are different liturgical colors for each season, and that the color of the   paraments  on the altar, pulpit, and lectern change according to the season. Unlike a calendar year, the Church Year begins in late November or early December,with the season of Advent : The name Advent  means "coming."  This season comprises the four Sundays before Christmas. We prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus' coming into the world and to receive him anew into our own lives (as Tony Campolo might say, to welcome his "invasion" of our hearts and souls). The seasons that follow are: Christmas : This season begins Christmas Eve and lasts through the "twelve days of Christmas," including one or two Sundays following Christmas Day.   We joyfully celebrate the birth of our Lord,  the "Word becoming human" and dwelling among us.  The lit...
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Tell Me Some Things About God

We spent the latter part of Wednesday's class beginning to offer our conceptions and thoughts about  God: --Beyond our full knowledge --"Our refuge and our strength" (referencing Psalm 46) --Envision God as tall, ranging above, face unseeable --Different things at different times --Creator of everything (thus can be expressed in different ways and be different things) --Gets along with everyone and everything --"Leads you but you can never find Him"  (reference to Psalm 23) --"Presence" --"Peaceful" --God is working: in school, through people, doing great things Even this short list contains some remarkable avenues for further exploration and reflection. We will continue to connect them to the Bible and to the life of Jesus. What would you like to add?
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