Hero for Today

Saint Athanasius, today is his Feast Day

One of the Doctors of the Church, now called the "Father of Orthodoxy", Saint Athanasius was about 10 years younger than Constantine the Great. He was an intelligent, educated, spirit filled, courageous man who would not allow politics to sway the dogma of the newly decriminalized church. Athanasius lived in a violent time of political unrest. The church had been under heavy persecution by Galerius, who was the emperor of the Eastern Roman empire until his death in 311. Galerius was succeeded by Licinius in the east. Constantine had consolidated political power in the western empire with his unlikely victory at the Milvian bridge in 312. Constantine had attributed his miraculous victory to the God of the Christians, and issued the Edit of Milan in 313, declaring Christianity was not a crime. Even though Licinius had also signed the Edict, he had just married Constantine's sister. By 322 Licinius changed his mind about Christianity and renewed persecution in the east. A new war broke out between the two emperors, which was largely decided by a violent storm wrecking most of Licinius' navy (God's hand?). Constantine didn't consolidate military and political power until 325. In that same year Anthanasius attended the first Council of Nicea, which Constantine had called for in order to determine just what it was that the newly legitimized church believed. At that time Athanasius was a deacon in Alexandria, and attended the Council as a companion to his bishop. The big battle within the church as it came out of the closet revolved around the divinity of Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as appropriate reverence for Mary. The antagonists of the time were a man named Arius (also a deacon in Alexandria) and his politically motivated patron, a bishop named Eusebius. These Arians were the forerunners of protestantism as well as the natural result of the legitimization of the church. For the first time in history it was OK to be Christian without being threatened physically. For the first time in history a significant political and military leader not only accepted the church, but he even endorsed it and gave its God credit for his worldly success. No wonder that there was a rush of political opportunists trying to change the truth of the faith to suit not only themselves, but also the political correctness of the time. No doubt there was a flood of "converts" who saw real power and monetary advantages from being labeled Christian. The problem for the insincere was in understanding accepting God's truth, which had sustained the faithful during the persecutions.

Enter Athanasius. His devotion to the truth and fearless struggle against the heresy of his day can be credited with laying the foundation of much that we now take for granted as having always been church doctrine. He was exiled from his bishopric in Alexandria 5 times. He was falsely accused. He was persecuted for his conviction. Often a fugitive, his writings are clear and concise and correct. Some of his works include "Against the Pagans" written in 318, "On the Incarnation of the Word of God" in 323, "Discourses against the Arians" in 368, and "The Life of Saint Antony", which was credited by St. Augustine as being the deciding influence that led to Augustine's conversion.

If you want to know what being an Orthodox Catholic is all about, and where it came from, study this man.

Ask me for references for further reading. I have some reliable ones.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch: we are now showing 14.5 inches of rain since the drought broke and more is called for. My cup runneth over (as do the ponds and creek crossings)! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

That's right! Not Christmas as the song says, but Easter time! God is with us in a most substantial way, working to invigorate all of his creation; pouring out his blessings with his rain. The rain gauge now says 12.96 inches of rain since the drought, and it shows on the grass and the cattle.

Quick quote:
Lord, how great you are.
You make springs gush forth in the valleys: they flow in between the hills.
They give drink to all the beasts, on their banks dwell the birds of heaven; from the branches they sing their song.
From your dwelling you water the hills; earth drinks its fill of your gift. Psalm 104

May Day! Today is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, after whom my mother says I am named. When I heard this I remember hoping and praying for the grace to live up to such a lofty name. The name Joseph translates "he shall add". Upon hearing the significance of the name given me by those who unquestionably loved me, I endeavored to identify with the assigned characteristics. Perhaps that is why I was able to find within me the ability to leave the professional life for a life of labor on the ranch. Perhaps that is why I have always sought to add to the value of the legacy entrusted to me. God has thrown me some curves, but nothing compared to those of my namesake. He was betrothed to a rare beauty, the zenith of God's creation, the one human being ever created well enough to be the mother of God. A normal man would have been disappointed to learn that such a wonderful creature was going to be ever a virgin. It could have been easy for most to at least resent having to labor to support her and her child. The tradition passed down in Christ's church tells us that Joseph never complained of his lot. He worked hard by day to earn his and the holy family's daily bread, but laborers sleep well at night, and really enjoy the simple blessings of nourishment and rest. Saint Joseph had the added benefit of living with and raising Jesus Christ. And being married to Mary. When God calls us to something the costs are always inconsequential compared to the benefits, no matter how great the costs are.

On Being a Sheep

Quick quotes: We, your people, the flock of your pasture, will give you thanks forever Ps 79
My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Jn10:27
Moses said to the Lord "May the Lord set over the community a man who shall act as their leader...so that the Lord's community may not be like sheep without a shepherd"

Without a shepherd sheep can still exist, maybe. If they don't become prey. If they don't die from starvation or dehydration. The sheep by themselves don't know the way to thrive. See the early posts on this blog about being a sheep, and learning to love the rod and staff. With our personal savior we have a "good shepherd" who comes after us and restores us to the flock when we are lost. Are you lost? Do you feel alone and unloved, battling hardships that seem unfair? That alone does not mean you are lost, since we are called to follow Christ to the cross and through the suffering to share in his resurrection. The real sign seems to be: are you having trouble with sincerely singing God's song of love from your heart? Can you forgive those who wrong you? Can you love in spite of finding sin in your fellow? If that is the case, then call out constantly to your good shepherd. Look for the other sheep who do not share your problem, and try to learn what they know. If you do not understand, then trust blindly in the wisdom of the ages and the church which Christ founded and leads through the successor of Peter.

Prairie Springtime

April in the Osage: The bulls are up and getting ready for the breeding season. They are gaining weight and spend most of their time grazing and singing to the cows, announcing their availability. We turn them out the first week in May in order to have February babies. The cows are also beefing up and should be cycling by May.

Quick quote: In my God is the joy of my soul [Isaiah].

The wonder of life abounds in April. This is my favorite time of year! It is also the favorite for the cattle as they build their strength and heighten their breeding instincts in preparation to participate in God's creative work. It is easy to see God's hand at work.

Easter Saturday

April snow?

Global warming has sure taken an unexpected turn. The rain gauge now has 11.4 inches to date, 2 and a half yesterday, followed by snow this morning. All is well, though, soon it will be warm and the new growth resuming. Back to the feed trucks!

From the Canticle of Isaiah: "The parched land will exult; the prairie will rejoice and bloom. It will bloom with abundant flowers and rejoice with joyful song. Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; he comes to save you with divine recompense. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened. Rivers will burst forth on the prairie. The thirsty ground will become springs of water. Those whom the Lord has ransomed will be crowned with everlasting joy; sorrow and mourning will flee."

If April showers bring May flowers, what will April snow bring? Stay tuned! I should get a pic this morning of one of those rivers that has burst forth on the prairie. Or one of the springs of water where there had been thirsty ground. This morning, however, the cattle are fearful of God's work, but I have faith!

Coming soon: I was blind, but now I see: a true story.

He is Risen!

All the earth is full of God's Glory!

I have been to Colorado and back. It is always good to see family. We have had our Easter storm, which included a freeze that put a stop to all the grass growing which had started after the rains. 8.75 inches have fallen in total, the ponds are full and the ground is wet and springtime just awaits warmer weather.

Psalm 42:
Like the deer that yearns for running streams,
so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

With cries that pierce me to the heart, my enemy reviles me,
saying to me all day long "where is your God?"

Why are you cast down, my soul, why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, my savior and my God.

Just as the Lord formed the beauty of the Rockies and sends yet again the magical blessing of new life with spring, I know that he lives, that he loves me, and my soul can hope in him with confidence. He has saved me, he is saving me, and he is going to save me.

Annunciation

Psalm 85:
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.

The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps.

Isaiah:
I am the Lord, I make well-being and create woe; let justice descend like gentle rain, let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up!

Today the church celebrates the start of the story of God becoming man. An angel named Gabriel shows up and tells Mary she is going to be pregnant by God and will deliver His son. A pretty amazing occurence, beyond human understanding. What would you have said? Perhaps something like "I am special. My uterus is especially special. No extraterrestrial beings allowed! How could I explain it to my fiance? It will ruin my life!".

Instead, Mary's answer is "I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." This answer is called her "fiat" by those who study such things. It is a profound statement, and marks the true birth of the holy catholic church. The very first human to accept Christ. A real human who submits herself to God and opens the door to salvation for all mankind. What a gal! What an attitude! More than a heroine. Do catholics pray to her? Technically, no. We believe that Jesus did conquer death when he rose from the grave. We believe this remarkable woman joined him in heaven. We ask her to pray for us to God because we realize that we still have sin within us and are unworthy to expect God to hear us alone. I often ask for people I think are holy to pray for me. Even though spiritual existence after death is beyond human understanding we know that it did happen because of the long string of people that have witnessed it and passed it down through the generations. I believe my father's spirit lives beyond the death of his body, and I ask him to pray for me, too.