Shall we take a wee spin through the garden?
Coming along… Just after this I tied the tomatoes to their stakes/fencing — so satisfying. The eggplants are bearing little fruits! But they need to be watered. The birds are eating the raspberries, having had their fill of strawberries. Where is a cost-effective place to get the netting??
Bridget is working off her college education by doing heavy-duty yard work. It's no joke to weed this hill. Wears me out in about a half-hour. She's a trouper though… One day maybe the daylilies will triumph over the brambles.
I thwarted the bunnies with my make-shift fencing. Double rows of those little ineffective wire fences and a chicken fencing laid on top. Ha! (Not sure what I'll do when these beans start bearing, which will be fairly soon.)
On to the links!
- Dear Anne brought to my attention a singular recording of Allegri's Miserere by a talented artist, Stacey Jackson, who turns out to be a classmate of Deirdre's from Catholic University of America. You can read about this polyphonic chant here — it's meant for the service of Tenebrae, during Holy Week, which of course makes this post somewhat out of season, but I couldn't resist letting you enjoy it. (And actually, maybe we do need to dwell on the need for God's mercy!)
- The amazing thing is that all the parts are sung by Stacey! Considering the range involved, including the soprano part that soars above the rest in a manner usually best suited to a treble in a boys' choir, her recording is quite a feat! It's really beautiful.
- Another game that your kids could play instead of drilling: Periodic Table of the Elements Battleship. (The very best thing about going to school is the incredible feeling of freedom when it's over. Somehow, sometime, you need to give your kids this feeling. And if they happen, on those long, lazy days (after chores!) to play games that increase their skills, well, that's not your fault!)
- We need this chart to be laminated and posted somewhere prominent. Second cousins? Twice removed? I can't tell you the arguments we've had about what the relationships in families are called. It's the one conversation I just want to end. Now. Makes me crazy.
- Bagpipes are a weapon of war; certainly, Bill Millin seems to have used his pipes to great effect in WWII. “The use of bagpipes was restricted to rear areas by the time of the Second World War by the British Army. Lovat, nevertheless, ignored these orders and ordered Millin, then aged 21, to play. When Private Millin demurred, citing the regulations, he recalled later, Lord Lovat replied: ‘Ah, but that’s the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish, and that doesn’t apply.' ”
- You can tell she's deep into this Mom gig: Rosie is on the Lego issue: Cambridge University (yes, that Cambridge University) is establishing a Lego professorship.
On yesterday's Supreme Court ruling:
- The Supreme Court found a right to abort a child in the penumbra of an emanation more than 40 years ago. So let's not be surprised by yesterday's ruling finding a right to marry beyond the stars. However, let's do educate ourselves as to why the ruling is wrong.
- If you don't really think it's wrong, I understand — but I think that if you look into it more, you will change your mind. I recommend beginning with this article, Why Same-Sex Couples Possess No Conjugal Rights, which focuses on a well documented section of this book: What Is Marriage?: Man and Woman: A Defense.
- We must grasp is that marriage has a purpose, and that purpose is grounded in the physical reality of man and woman. Historically, marriage has not been ruled invalid if the couple could not conceive — but it has been if the couple could not have conjugal relations. Our own present day's somewhat… eclectic… view of what constitutes sexual relations might obscure this simple fact. But its importance can't be overstated. On the other hand, society always, until recently, understood conjugal relations to be procreative, and perhaps that is the root of what we are seeing now: the fruits, or rather withered fruits, of our own abdication of responsibility.
- “The joining of husband and wife by matrimony is the greatest of all joinings, since it is a joining of soul and body, wherefore it is called a ‘conjugal' union.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
- For your super-long, super philosophical reading: The Road to Same Sex Marriage was Paved by Rousseau, by Robert Reilly. (Read his book Making Gay Okay: How Rationalizing Homosexual Behavior Is Changing Everything.) “Rousseau described the accomplishment of this condition: ‘Each person would then be completely independent of all his fellowmen, and absolutely dependent upon the state.' The state could restore a simulacrum of that original well-being by removing all of man’s subsidiary social relationships. By destroying man’s familial, social, and political ties, the state could make each individual totally dependent on the state and independent of each other. The state is the vehicle for bringing people together so they can be apart: a sort of radical individualism under state sponsorship.”
For a quick round-up of articles I found helpful yesterday in thinking things through:
- Why Catholics (or any Bible-believing person) can never accept gay marriage, from Ed Peters, canon lawyer.
- The deeply emotional — and completely irrational — ruling that establishes a religion incompatible with Christianity, by David French, quickly becoming one of my favorite columnists.
- Dissent is the highest form of bigotry (thoughts on the immediate announcement from a newspaper in Pennsylvania that they would not be publishing anti-gay-marriage letters) – a must-read.
- Ross Douthat on some of the ways this ruling was prepared for by ordinary Americans getting comfortable with their own compromises with the institution in question.
When the weight of current events feels crushing, remember one thing that shouldn't surprise you: The antidote to what is huge, overpowering, and violent is that which is small, meek, and humble. In this case, the remedy is found in the heart of your home. Your own prayer, the prayer of your family, the life you live in union with the Church — will save the world.
- Don't forget to get your copy of The Little Oratory by yours truly and David Clayton (with additional drawings by Deirdre!) so that you can get started now with your simple, beautiful, and peaceful prayer life at home. Our book teaches you exactly what to do — not only to make your Little Oratory, but to pray in union with the Church's own liturgical life.
- If you have a Little Oratory, prayer corner, home altar, or icon corner already, do be sure to share it on our “Your Little Oratory” page! We would love to see it!
The home becomes a sanctuary where we can meet with friends and say what's really on our minds. The home opens out to the larger community and becomes a real force for good. The less welcome we feel to express our true thoughts in the larger arena, the more important it becomes to cultivate those “in real life,” open, and free conversations.
- That is the idea behind the St. Gregory Pockets. While you might discuss a book, it's not a book club. It's the makings of a real community of people who enjoy each other, find friends for their kids, and help each other. Could you start a St. Greg's Pocket where you are? Is there one you could join? Find out.
St. Cyril of Alexandria, you who defended the two natures of Jesus Christ, human and divine, and His one Personhood; and His mother as the Mother of the Whole Christ — Mother of God — pray for us!
Nancy says
Thanks for your calming words this morning Leila. I wondered what you would write this morning and I feel better having read your thoughts. It reminds me of the column you wrote just after the 2012 election in which you very similarly pointed out the ways in which our individual lives with our families within our homes were to be the focus of our day to day spiritual concerns. You are a graceful loving force in the blogworld.
Nancy
Josie says
Yes, exactly what Nancy said, God love you Auntie Leila you bring such calm and needed support.
Donna L. says
Thank you, Auntie Leila for being the one place on the internet, that reminds us of this important thought: “When the weight of current events feels crushing, remember one thing that shouldn’t surprise you: The antidote to what is huge, overpowering, and violent is that which is small, meek, and humble. In this case, the remedy is found in the heart of your home. Your own prayer, the prayer of your family, the life you live in union with the Church — WILL SAVE THE WORLD! {emphasis added}
When we were praying yesterday, I said to my children, “Even today, God is still God” and that helped, too.
God bless you in all you do and share…
Jennifer Gregory Miller says
How nice to see the video of Stacey Jackson! Her family is part of our local school and homeschool group.
I agree that with yesterday’s ruling, there is even more importance to reinforcing our domestic churches!
anothermom says
Thank you, Leila, for sharing things of hearth and home this morning! And thank you so for those Holy Spirit inspired words, “When the weight of current events feels crushing, remember one thing that shouldn’t surprise you: The antidote to what is huge, overpowering, and violent is that which is small, meek, and humble. In this case, the remedy is found in the heart of your home. Your own prayer, the prayer of your family, the life you live in union with the Church — will save the world.” Posting that grace-filled admonition with our current family prayer sheets. Our family sat around the kitchen table last night, discussing the fateful decision, its implications and comparing it to Roe v. Wade. One of our young adult sons said he feels yesterday’s decision may be worse because it cuts to the very core of every person’s identity. We will continue to pray, live in union with the Church and press onward toward Heaven, our true Home! Christ, our Savior and King, still reigns!
Rain says
Thank you for your words which are a balm. I feel so saddened today and feel an extra need to tuck into my family and love truly. It is even sadder when so many in my parish including the RCIA leadership are rejoicing with the world. Remembering to love in TRUTH is what is needed. Love should never be separated from truth.
Love you.
Cristina says
From the article Dissent is the highest form of bigotry: “We have a solemn duty to advocate that the state conform itself to certain moral standards that are outside, or prior to, the state”.
This hits it right on the nail. Thank you for sharing this article.
From Aunt Leila: “The antidote to what is huge, overpowering, and violent is that which is small, meek, and humble. In this case, the remedy is found in the heart of your home”.
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking all along. Our homes are the hope.
CMerie says
Your words brought comfort this morning (and a reminder at how much work there is to do and just exactly where my focus should be!) I quoted you and linked back here over at my blog.
Meg says
I was waiting for your reaction to the Supreme Court decision—thank you, thank you, thank you for your words!
Nancy says
Always enjoy the Saturday morning links and words from LMLD! It is good to have a community online and offline to live the liturgical season in our homes. This is truly where faith thrives and will survive from one generation to the next.
This is our 90 degree+ humid season, so I mostly have herbs growing.
Diana says
Hello, Auntie Leila!
A big thank-you for this sweet post, and for all of the links. I will be leaving this tab up so that I can work through the links one by one. I’m looking forward especially to reading the links you gave on the topic of the recent Supreme Court Decision regarding homosexuality. As one of your resident Protestant readers, I will admit that the Catholic Church beats the Protestant church a hundred times over when it comes to thoughtful contemplation of life ethics issues (and homosexuality is indeed an issue of life ethics). Thank you for dealing with this issue. I will also be putting up your quote on our kitchen bulletin board:
“When the weight of current events feels crushing, remember one thing that shouldn’t surprise you: The antidote to what is huge, overpowering, and violent is that which is small, meek, and humble. In this case, the remedy is found in the heart of your home. Your own prayer, the prayer of your family, the life you live in union with the Church — will save the world.”
I wondered if you had seen “The Birth Control Movie”? It is quite good. (I’ll leave the link.) One absolutely fascinating quote from that film, which astounded me at the time, was the statement that when a country opens itself to legalized birth control, three things will inevitably follow: abortion, pornography, and homosexuality. I got the first one, but I didn’t understand the second two. Over the past couple of years, I have come to understand more of the complex link between life ethics, sexuality, theology, and practice. It’s a complex web, and I think a lack of understanding of these interrelationships is what has led us into such grievous evil.
Enough meandering.
Thank you so much for your kind and calming thoughts. I needed them today.
Love,
Diana
(Promised link: http://www.thebirthcontrolmovie.com/)
Leila says
Thank you, Diana, I will check out that link. Indeed, a priest friend told us about a retreat for married men he gave, in which he warned the men: If you use contraceptives, your sons will grow up to commit sodomy in the park. He used stronger words but you get the idea.
The thing is, contraceptive use belies a lack of faith in a happy ending. When people raise their children without faith in a happy ending, what do they expect their lives will be?
Mrs. B. says
Diana, yes, it’s beginning to dawn on a lot of people that if we’re ok with sterile relationships between the sexes, how can we say no to sterile relationships within the same sex?
For Catholics, the encyclical Humanae Vitae explained it all back in 1968 – the link between contraception and divorce, contraception and the war pitting men against women, contraception and the power of government to regulate relationships…
There was a good piece in First Things back in 2008 on the vindication of Humanae Vitae’s predictions, maybe you are interested in it: http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/08/002-the-vindication-of-ihumanae-vitaei
Diana says
Mrs. B – Just seeing your comment! Yes, absolutely on Humanae Vitae – though I must admit that I’ve never read it in its entirety. I need to get on that. Thank you for the link – I will follow that and read! As I’ve said for several years, the Catholics totally GOT IT with regard to the birth control issue, and we Protestants face-planted. Badly. And are still in that state, for the most part. Sad.
Auntie Leila – I liked your quote so much that I printed it out to hang on our wall. I thought you might like to see it! Just scroll to the bottom:
http://whiningpuker.blogspot.com/2015/07/really-really-random-ramblings.html
Have a wonderful day!!
Diana
Leila says
Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words. I am so grateful for our readers.
Sheryl Finley says
We use nylon netting for our fruit bushes and small trees. Bought in bulk yardage from Fabric.com or JoAnns when it is on sale! Not as long lasting as expensive gardening netting but affordable and easy to work with. Blessings Sheryl
anothermom says
I’ve been contemplating your post and the events of this past week all weekend. While preparing for Mass this morning the thought came that we might build on your grace-filled admonition, “Your own prayer, the prayer of your family, the life you live in union with the Church — will save the world”, by encouraging others to join in praying for our nation, our culture and our families. Souls in nursing homes, the homebound, homemakers, anyone with time in their days that could be spent interceding for those intentions can be encouraged to add a daily rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, St, Gertrude prayer, Holy Spirit novena, or hundreds of prayers on behalf of our troubled world. Imagine the explosion of grace if thousands of souls joined in praying for our troubled world!
Jenn says
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”
I’ve been thinking about this verse a lot lately. Thank you, Leila, for being bold to proclaim the truth in public! I always take courage from your words. I will be reading these!
Laura says
just a tip, leila! i recently saw online that day lilly flower buds are edible and can be used like green beans… you have so many on the hill it might be worth trying??
Mrs. B. says
“But if we are indeed in as bad a state as I take us to be, pessimism […] will turn out to be one more cultural luxury that we shall have to dispense with in order to survive in these hard times.” A. MacIntyre, ending paragraph of Ch. 1, After Virtue.
“One who has hope lives differently.” Benedict XVI
Thank you, Leila, for teaching us what it looks like not to swallow in pessimism. Yes, there is great sadness right now for the state of our country, and for the fact that the enemies of the truth always seem to have the upper hand. But we can do our small part, and though it will be a small drop, it will still count in the eyes of God.
Tamara says
I just want to chime in as another reader who was inspired by these words:
“The antidote to what is huge, overpowering, and violent is that which is small, meek, and humble. In this case, the remedy is found in the heart of your home. Your own prayer, the prayer of your family, the life you live in union with the Church — will save the world.”
Thank you Auntie! You always encourage me to have hope! And I do so need the encouragement.
Bridget says
Thank you for always reminding me how importent this work of nurturing family is to our broken world. And so we keep on… My teenagers are particularly weary of this assault on sexuality and your words were a good reminder to me of how to direct them through these discussions. Regarding blueberries… We use old tobacco netting. We are in the CT river valley where shade tobacco is grown. I don’t know how far you are from the Hadley area, but there are many tobacco farmers there and they always have smaller bits that they’ve had to replace. Works beautifully!