Sometimes I read the story of Mary and Martha and take note that if a gathering is full of Marys then it won’t be catered. And as soon as I thought that, I remembered the two occasions when Jesus indeed needed to feed the 4-5,000 who didn’t bring any food to the teaching service. I also think that “Martha’s Catering” would be a good name for a Christian catering business. “We hand the busy details so you can sit at the Lord’s feet.”
Another great post! Truly my favourite substack by far and the only one whose updates I eagerly await.
Your sentiments regarding how romantic love can be used to express one's devotion to God reminds me of John Donne's famous poem, "Holy Sonnet: Batter my heart" in which Donne goes quite explicit about how vehement his love for God is; lowkey reads like a passionate fanfic smut lool. Reading the poem again now; I find it interesting he used the word "admit", rather than submit. Perhaps the subject is okay with being submitted by the objectifier...
Anyways please never stop sharing your writing, it's so entertaining and you make reading fun for me!
What a great way to be reading my first article early on a Monday morning.
I'm an old Catholic, who has become interested in many different spiritual traditions during life. The tradition of my childhood still matters to me. Thinking of my parents always taking on other people who were having a tough time, making room in their lives, in Dad's business and sometimes in our house to serve others.
These days, I've got two grandchildren, who are Baptised Catholic and, the elder one, turns 6 today. I've offered my old Catholic self (which is easily accessible) to show them concrete belief in the doctrine they will learn at Catholic school (as there's not a lot of active practice around them).
I'm not so versed with Bible teachings for some reason... this has been more a case of finding my own way to God. I appreciate your writing and references today, as I'm intending to dive into the Traditions more seriously as the grandchildren have questions.
May I make a brief comment on Submission too please.
Some years ago, I was in a far distant land, under starry skies and Aurora Borealis light. I was attending a two-day party on a farm in northern Alberta CA, where mind altering substances where freely available, including magic mushrooms.
As someone who'd been working on subtle practises for years, I'd been considering psychedelics, but never tried them. This would be the time, if I wanted to dive in.
An instinct turned me away from the mushies. I had a strong sense that I was missing a part of the 'trip' that might make a trip a Trip (if you know what I mean).
The sense was, I was not Accepting of the world as it it.... always trying to change Something.
The instinct proved a worthy one. Over the intervening 5 years, I've focused my meditation and breathing exercise on Acceptance. And Surrender. The latter part of this came naturally... I'd be contemplating the meaning of the word Islam and found that the Surrender and Acceptance came naturally together during 'normal' breathing.
Breathing in is an Acceptance. Breathing out is a Surrender.
... and I'll say thank you for your tweets. I only ran into you on twitter a couple of weeks ago. I get many smiles from your tweets (I'm @burkawitcz on twitter) and I'll be reading your substack in future.
Especially enjoyed the part re: 'submission' being made explicit in relationships. What I really hear from many here is that they're afraid that they won't be loved/respected by others without pulling rank—which is sad in itself. I hope everyone finds people to surround themselves with that will love/respect them regardless of any perceived/demanded 'authority'.
Also, we'd all be better off for treating those we find odious with grace and politness.
'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.' (rom 12:17-18)
Sometimes I read the story of Mary and Martha and take note that if a gathering is full of Marys then it won’t be catered. And as soon as I thought that, I remembered the two occasions when Jesus indeed needed to feed the 4-5,000 who didn’t bring any food to the teaching service. I also think that “Martha’s Catering” would be a good name for a Christian catering business. “We hand the busy details so you can sit at the Lord’s feet.”
lol
Dear Miss Lola!
Another great post! Truly my favourite substack by far and the only one whose updates I eagerly await.
Your sentiments regarding how romantic love can be used to express one's devotion to God reminds me of John Donne's famous poem, "Holy Sonnet: Batter my heart" in which Donne goes quite explicit about how vehement his love for God is; lowkey reads like a passionate fanfic smut lool. Reading the poem again now; I find it interesting he used the word "admit", rather than submit. Perhaps the subject is okay with being submitted by the objectifier...
Anyways please never stop sharing your writing, it's so entertaining and you make reading fun for me!
Take Care.
thank you for your kind feedback! Always pleases me to know that there are people out there who look forward to reading my writing.
Gonna check out Donne's poem now :D
God bless
Lola,
What a great way to be reading my first article early on a Monday morning.
I'm an old Catholic, who has become interested in many different spiritual traditions during life. The tradition of my childhood still matters to me. Thinking of my parents always taking on other people who were having a tough time, making room in their lives, in Dad's business and sometimes in our house to serve others.
These days, I've got two grandchildren, who are Baptised Catholic and, the elder one, turns 6 today. I've offered my old Catholic self (which is easily accessible) to show them concrete belief in the doctrine they will learn at Catholic school (as there's not a lot of active practice around them).
I'm not so versed with Bible teachings for some reason... this has been more a case of finding my own way to God. I appreciate your writing and references today, as I'm intending to dive into the Traditions more seriously as the grandchildren have questions.
May I make a brief comment on Submission too please.
Some years ago, I was in a far distant land, under starry skies and Aurora Borealis light. I was attending a two-day party on a farm in northern Alberta CA, where mind altering substances where freely available, including magic mushrooms.
As someone who'd been working on subtle practises for years, I'd been considering psychedelics, but never tried them. This would be the time, if I wanted to dive in.
An instinct turned me away from the mushies. I had a strong sense that I was missing a part of the 'trip' that might make a trip a Trip (if you know what I mean).
The sense was, I was not Accepting of the world as it it.... always trying to change Something.
The instinct proved a worthy one. Over the intervening 5 years, I've focused my meditation and breathing exercise on Acceptance. And Surrender. The latter part of this came naturally... I'd be contemplating the meaning of the word Islam and found that the Surrender and Acceptance came naturally together during 'normal' breathing.
Breathing in is an Acceptance. Breathing out is a Surrender.
Rather than continuing to clog up your comments, I'll point at something I wrote on the topic https://www.benburke.org/anxiety-dropped/
... and I'll say thank you for your tweets. I only ran into you on twitter a couple of weeks ago. I get many smiles from your tweets (I'm @burkawitcz on twitter) and I'll be reading your substack in future.
Thanks again!
thanks for the veryyyyyy longgggg responseeeee and thank you for sharing your writing, will take a look at it soon :D
Excellent piece, Lola.
Especially enjoyed the part re: 'submission' being made explicit in relationships. What I really hear from many here is that they're afraid that they won't be loved/respected by others without pulling rank—which is sad in itself. I hope everyone finds people to surround themselves with that will love/respect them regardless of any perceived/demanded 'authority'.
Also, we'd all be better off for treating those we find odious with grace and politness.
'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.' (rom 12:17-18)
thanks Kurt! what a pithy and relevant bible verse too (noted for future)
Banger
danke !!!
no I haven't.... just googled him... interesting figure indeed. sounds like he could have precipitated the rwbb movement....
yess, good pithy post (I only have a bit of a life). So according to Jünger's framework:
Love = anarchic
Servitude without love (i.e. larping love) = socialised, superficial