#AND THUS IT BEGINS. sorry god sorry jesus

[a0random0gal]

If you had the chance to change something about the dance of the dragons (TV show or book), what would it be? For example, how a character dies, which team a house is on,or an entire character personally. How would you change it to make the story better, in your opinion?♥️🖤💙💚

Ohh anon i've got a list.

When it comes to the tv show there are a few choices the writers made that just don't sit right with me.

Laenor

I do like the characterization they went for, he's a pretty cool dude who really loves his weird, dysfunctional family. What I really don't like is how they handled his death.

See I truly can't stand it when a character is sugar coated just because they're the protagonist and thus must be righteous and always objectively correct.

So to witness the writers white wash his murder, having him flee to essos instead of being killed by Rhaenyra pisses me off. I get that after showing them being good friends it would be very odd to have her kill him.

But that's the thing, they should have opted for a more ruthless Rhaenyra in the first place!

Laenor's death in the books (at least for me) was the first instance of Rhae Rhae making morally wrong choices in order to pursue her ultimate goal. It was compelling! Here she just takes the easy way out, without having to make a tough choice.

Also his survival really fucks her up when you really think about it. Now all her sons are bastards since her marriage to Daemon isn't valid, and for the upcoming season 2, how are they going to handle Addam and Seasmoke? Laenor is still alive, his dragon won't accept a new rider. This doesn't make any sense and just causes plotholes what the actual fu-

Sidenote: After Laenor's very moving speech on how he was done goofing off and was now willing to really step up for Rhaenyra and their family it's super strange to imagine him ditching them all immediately afterwards Lol.

Rhaenys

My gosh, where do I even begin with this woman?

She too is pretty cool at the start, but then episode 9 rolls around and I roll my eyes.

She's so hypocritical. She tries to shit on Alicent for "toiling in the service of men." When that's all she does in the goddamn story!

She wants Baela to get Driftmark, tells Corlys about it, he shuts off the whole plan cause he wants a kid who he's not even related to on the driftwood throne, and when she complains about it he dismisses her.

So what does feminist Rhaenys do about it?

She... submits to her husband, something she conveniently forgets about when talking to Alicent. My god. Just remove this entire exchange, it hurts to watch.

And the coronation scene, Jesus Christ! It was so cool in the books, why did they have to ruin it? Had they replaced it with something better I wouldn't have complained, but this is just, the worst.

Rhaenys shows how badass she is by.... Brutally crushing hundreds of small folks to death and almost slaughtering the greens.

Cool, cool, absolutely necessary. Thanks Sara.

And you know what's even more infuriating? When she flees to Dragonstone to inform Rhaenyra of all that happened. She says she didn't kill the greens cause she didn't wish to start a war. I'm sorry what?

That would have ended the war at the start! As glad as I am that Rhaenys didn't barbecue them it makes absolutely no sense!

If she had killed them there would have been no dance in the first place!

I hate these dumb show only moments. They needlessly complicated an already complicated story and just mess everything up.

There's probably other stuff I could rant on, like how Aegon was made a rapist sorely to make the audience think:

Oh look! The greens are so baad, they believe a rapist alcoholic douche should be in charge instead of our empowered dragon queen, they sure do suck!

Or how house Velaryon was disrespected and mistreated by D*emyra but still somehow decided to support Nyra's claim.

They didn't really have a motive to be greens though, so I think they should have stayed neutral. Their fervent black support makes no sense.

The writers really should have given them more reasons to back up the blacks or had their beloved queen treat them better so that their loyalty made more sense ( I mean holy hell I wonder how they will handle the two betrayers and Corlys's arrest lmao).

But other greens have already shat on these awful decisions and I won't beat a dead horse.

Book

When it comes to fire and blood I surprisingly have very little complaints, except of course, the Jaehaera situation.

My poor baby deserved better, I've made a post about it in the past

(where I ranted and said stuff I kind of regret now, don't post while very angry guys I don't recommend it)

tackling how the little queen was unnecessarily killed off and how her death genuinely adds nothing so why was it added? God I get upset just thinking about it lol.

Some people say George did it cause he needed Aegon's kids to be born after Viserys's, and apparently he couldn't fathom a married teen not having kids until her 20s, which is veery weird.

The more plausible theory is that he got rid of her cause he wanted more Velaryon queens to showcase how close they used to be to the Targs.

Which is something I had understood already thanks to Alyssa, the sea Snake and all the Velaryons who were masters of ships but whatever.

[gravehags]

you send me

Pairing: Cardinal Copia x f!Reader (Curator!Reader)

Rating: Teen

Tags: Terzo being Terzo, Copia snapping, Secondo is a shit head, Primo is just trying to play a nice game of Uno, introductions

Words: 1,082

Summary: You've never met a Satanic pope before. He sure is something.

a/n: just a short little baby fic because I needed reader to meet Terzo desperately because I know it would make Copia absolutely infuriated. Cheers.

divider by @gothdaddyissues!

“Son of a bitch,” you spit, watching a paper from the stack you’re holding drift towards the floor and under the table you’re working at.

With a frustrated noise, you slam the stack on the surface and get down on your hands and knees to retrieve it. The paper, of course, had landed a couple feet away, causing you to crawl underneath the heavy piece of furniture. Your fingers just about have it when you hear a low chuckle from behind you. It startles you so much that you jerk your head, slamming it into the hard surface above you.

“Fuck,” you hiss, trying your best to clamber off the ground and confront whoever is watching you. When you finally stand, straightening your skirt, your eyes land on a most peculiar figure. He’s slight, wearing a black and white suit. Jet black hair, parted in the center of his head, frames a face covered in paint designed to look like a stylized skull. The paint isn’t odd to you - you have of course seen Cardinal Copia’s paints - but somehow he seems more important than anyone you have met thus far at the abbey.

“You’re staring, bella,” he purrs in a seductive voice, “am I so very nice to look at?”

Jesus. You fumble over your introduction, sticking out a hand for him to shake. He takes it within both of his own white gloved hands and pulls you closer to him.

“I,” he begins, “am called Terzo Emeritus. You may call me ‘Terzo’ if you like. Or perhaps ‘Papa’, if you’re into that,” he says with an exaggerated wink.

“Huh…? Oh shit you’re him? You’re the Satanic pope? I am so sorry, your…unholiness.”

He looks like he’s trying to stifle a laugh as he continues to squeeze your hands in his.

“No need for titles, bella,” he whispers conspiratorially. “Whatever you call me, I’m all yours.”

Somehow he’s gotten even closer to you, so much so that you can smell the hair product he uses. You’re about to say something awkward when behind Terzo you see a flash of red.

“Cardinal!” you half-shout as he approaches, a frown on his face. “Thank God you’re…I mean…we were just…”

“Capisco, signorina. I understand exactly what is happening here. How good of Papa to visit his new employee.”

The look in Copia’s mismatched eyes - funny how they both have those eyes - is positively venomous. Odd. Terzo steps away from you and slaps Copia on the back with surprising force, causing him to jolt forward.

“Cardinale, your timing as always is impeccable,” he croons with a grin toying at his lips. “I am quite impressed with your bellissimo curatore you’ve been going on about for weeks now, eh?”

You flush and look down at your feet. Copia’s been talking about you? When you look back up he’s as red as you are, staring daggers at Terzo who has a beatific smile on his face.

“We will have to chat again soon, cara,” Terzo says in that low voice again. Copia’s eye twitches.

“Of course, thank you for stopping by Terzo,”

He gives you a lingering smile before turning on his heel and brushing past Copia, who is still standing there looking annoyed.

“Shall we begin?” you say softly, gesturing to the pile of papers on the table. He blinks and the sour expression is gone, looking at you with kind eyes.

"Sì, signorina. Let us get to work.”

—-

“There he is!” Terzo crows from his spot at the round table. Copia walks in, removing his biretta and tossing it on a side table. Secondo has a foul grin on his lips and Primo looks exhausted.

“I was just about to tell them about the new curatore,” he announces, as Copia takes the seat next to him, shoulders tense.

“Well go on,” Secondo says, tapping his cigar on the ashtray in front of him. Terzo makes a dramatic fainting motion and Secondo wiggles his eyebrows.

“Beautiful,” Terzo says, breathless. “Paffuta.” He makes a lewd squeezing motion with his hands and Copia’s gloves squeak as he balls his own hands into fists. Primo is watching him quietly from his side of the table but says nothing. “Matura,” Terzo continues with a growl.

Secondo blows a stream of smoke out of his nose and makes a thoughtful noise.

“I’ll have to see her myself. Perhaps she prefers someone older,” he says with a faint sneer. Terzo scoffs and lightly slams his fists on the table.

“You should have seen the way she was looking at me today fratellino,” he begins, “Wide eyes and everything. Positively smitten.”

Secondo rolls his eyes. “Maybe she’ll like Primo, eh?” He leans over and nudges the brother in question who is still silently observing Copia. “He can tend her garden.”

The two brothers erupt in raucous laughter. Copia has heard enough.

“Silenzio!” he shouts, banging his hands on the table and rising. “Do not speak of her as if she is some sibling you can fuck and then discard!” Primo lets out a deep sigh while Secondo gently sets his cigar in the ashtray. Terzo, however, looks entirely too pleased with himself.

“I knew it,” he whispers, “I knew you were besotted with her!”

Copia opens his mouth to say something, but finds himself at a loss.

“The way you went on and on and on about her for weeks before she even moved in. I knew it!” Secondo chuckles and Primo looks disappointed.

“Terzo,” he begins quietly, “you could have simply asked him instead of riling him up.”

“Eh, this was more fun,” he says, waving a hand dismissively at his brother. Copia is still standing and fidgeting with his hands. He wants to speak up and deny it but finds the lie offensive. Sensing his anxiety, Primo speaks up again.

“Why don’t you bring her to us, Copia? I would very much like to meet her.”

Copia nods, still fidgeting.

“Sì…sì, I will. She is…” he falters for a moment, trying to search for the appropriate word, “kind. I have not known her long but from what I have seen she is…lovely.”

His face is practically glowing at this point as Terzo cat calls and then is harshly cut short by Primo laying a firm slap to his arm.

“Looking forward to meeting this kind curatore,” Secondo comments, once again picking up his cigar. “Does she like bolognese?”

Huh. He doesn’t know. Copia plans to ask you the next time you meet.

[officialyourdailyinspiration]

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by James Russell Miller

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry (Matthew 4:12-25)

In Matthew’s gospel, the story of the first months of our Lord’s public ministry is omitted. Several chapters of John’s gospel come in between verses 11 and 12 of Matthew’s fourth chapter. The mission of John the Baptist was to go before Christ and prepare His way. When he had done this, introducing Him to the people John’s work was really ended. But he continued to preach for some months, until he was arrested by Herod and cast into prison. Then it was that Jesus went into Galilee. Why He did this, we are not told. Some suppose it was to avoid John’s fate but this scarcely seems a sufficient reason. Indeed, in Galilee he would be nearer to Herod than in Jerusalem. Is it not more likely that it was just because John was now shut up in prison and his voice silenced, that Jesus went to Galilee? John had spoken of Jesus coming after him, and He came at once and began to speak.

He dwelt in Capernaum. At that time Capernaum was an important city on the Sea of Galilee. Now nobody knows certainly what its site was. It was a city of wonderful privilege. For a long time Jesus made His home there. It was exalted in thus having the Son of God walk on its streets, speak His blessed words to its people, and do His works of mercy and love in its homes of suffering and sorrow. But in spite of all this honor and favor shown to Capernaum, Jesus was rejected there.

Matthew tells us that it was in fulfillment of prophecy that Jesus went to Capernaum. He was needed there. It was a region of moral and spiritual darkness. It is such places that always draw Jesus. Human need in every form, appeals to His compassion. When men travel over the world they usually visit regions in which they will see scenes of beauty, of grandeur, of wonder. But Jesus was in this world to do good, to save the lost, to change wildernesses into gardens of roses and He went where there was the greatest need, the deepest darkness. Churches sometimes move away from sections of cities which have been emptied of prosperous homes and the attractions of fashion. Whatever may be said of the expediency of following the drift of population with our churches we need to beware of abandoning decaying communities, of taking away from the people who remain the blessings of the gospel. Jesus did not go into Galilee as a tourist but as a missionary. He was a teacher come from God to tell the people of the love of God for them. The same words were used of John the Baptist in describing His ministry. Yet there was a great difference in the two men and in their preaching. John spoke sternly and severely. He spoke of the fire, the fan, the ax of the punishment of sin. Jesus came with gentle and winning words.

Yet His first call, like John’s, was to repentance. All men need to repent. We never can reach the gates of heaven, unless we repent. The prodigal son had to rise and leave the far country, and walk back all the painful way to his father’s house before he could be restored to favor and be at home again. That is what every impenitent man must do. The first step in coming to Christ, is repentance .

We must be sure that we know just what this word means. Some people imagine, that if they are sorry for doing wrong, that they have repented. But mere sorrow for a wrong way does not take us out of that way. Tears of penitence will not blot out sin; we must turn about and walk in holy paths. Repentance is ceasing to make blots on the record, and beginning to live a fair, clean, white life.

It was a familiar and homely scene which Jesus saw one day, as He was walking beside the sea. “He saw two brethren casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.” It is interesting to notice the kind of people Jesus sought for His disciples. He did not look for great and famous men. He did not go up to the temple and gather about Him rabbis and priests. He wanted men who were teachable, ready to listen to the truth and believe it, men who could be influenced by Him for good, whom He could train in the ways of His kingdom.

Jesus is always looking for men who will become His disciples. He has a great work in hand, and needs and calls for helpers. He wants those who will believe His message. He does not take prejudiced men, men whose opinions are so obstinately held, that they will not listen to His words nor accept His teachings; he wants teachable men. He does not choose those who are wise in this world’s wisdom, for they might not readily accept the wisdom of God which He teaches. Nor does He seek idlers. He goes among those who are busy in the duty of the day. He found a king for Israel, in a boy who was keeping sheep. He found a prophet to succeed Elijah, in a young man who was plowing in the filed. He found a missionary for India, in a humble shoemaker, busy at his bench, ready for the Divine call, unable ever to say “No” to God. If we would be chosen to take part in Christ’s great work we must seek to be ready for it, with heart warm, mind open to receive truth, and ready for any service to which God may call us.

“Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” First of all, the disciple must go with Christ. This meant, in their case, leaving their business and attaching themselves to His household. It may not mean that to us ordinarily we are to continue in the calling in which we are when we give ourselves to Him. But always it means joining ourselves to Him in heart and life. It means the complete surrendering of the mastership of our lives. No longer are we our own; we belong to Him. We are to go where He bids us to go and do what He bids us to do. We are to think of His interests, not of our own. There can be no serving of Christ, no doing of His work, without first being with Him. “Without Me,” he said, “you can do nothing” (John 15:5). But with Him, we are ready for any service, any duty, any work, and nothing is impossible to us.

First, they were to be with Him, and then He would make them fishers of men. They had been fishers of fish; they were to give up their old calling and take a higher one. The lessons of patience, quiet waiting and persistence, which they had learned in their daily and nightly work on the sea would be of use to them in their new duties. They were to fish in the dark waters of sin for perishing men and save them, take them alive. Christ would teach them their new calling, “I will make you fishers of men.” It was holy service to which He called them, and calls us. He does not want us to follow Him just for the joy of His salvation and the comfort of His friendship He wants us to be His, that we may win others also to be His.

Instantly these fishermen dropped their tackle and their nets, left everything, and went away with their new Master. They were not a moment in deciding. They loved Him, and they were most glad to go with Him. “ At once they left their nets and followed Him.” Sometimes the sneer is heard, “They had little to leave!” True, it was not much in money value. Yet these nets and this fishing business were all they had. It was by these, that they earned their living. Now at the call of their new Master they gave up all, cut themselves off from the means of support, burnt their bridges behind them, and in simple obedience and faith went with Him.

That is what we should do, when we hear the call of Christ. We should obey instantly, without questioning. No matter how great the sacrifice involved, we should make it cheerfully for His sake. Though to obey cuts us off from our ordinary means of livelihood and leaves us without provision even for tomorrow, we should not hesitate. Christ will take care of His servants when they are faithfully doing His will. “ At once” is also an important phrase in the sentence. A great many people are forever postponing duties. When Christ calls, they say, “Yes, tomorrow .” But every call should be answered instantly. Get this “ At once” into all your obedience.

The charge never could be made against Jesus, that He thought only of men’s spiritual needs and neglected their bodily needs. Continually we see Him doing good in common ways and helping people in their common needs. Here He is “teaching,” “preaching,” “ healing .” He did not give good advice, exhort people to be true and honest, and then be indifferent to their sufferings. He fed them when they were hungry, opened the eyes of their blind, cured their sick children, healed their diseases. Always this is the law of Christ’s ministry. He cares for our whole being. Every trouble of ours whatever, whether of body, mind, or soul moves Him with compassion.

It is a great comfort to us to know that our Lord is not indifferent to our diseases, that He would use them for our spiritual benefit, that He is ready to give us the grace we need if we endure them patiently and submissively, and that He will heal us when His wise purpose in our affliction has been accomplished. Jesus is the great Healer He is continually healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. Wherever the Christian missionary goes, the hospital is set up alongside the chapel. In our church work we should think of men’s bodies as well as of their souls if we would wholly fulfill Christ’s mission and purpose.

This picture of Jesus ought also to be a great comfort to all those who are suffering. He is going about everywhere healing. Is He any less strong now, than He was then? Does he love us less now, than He loved the sick people in Galilee? Will He not heal us, too, in the way that is best? In the sick-room of every Christian, Jesus sits, to give cheer. The sufferer may know, as he prays for healing, that his prayer will be heard and answered. Sickness has a mission it sets lessons for us to learn. It is very unfortunate if one who is sick recovers and is not better in heart and life afterward. We should pray that the sickness may fulfill its mission in us and for us, and then that we get well.

“And His fame went throughout all Syria.” No wonder. Such blessed news could not be suppressed. When Jesus healed all the sick people in one town, it could not be otherwise than that the report would fly abroad, reaching other towns. It is not to be wondered at that everyone who had a sick friend, hearing about the great Healer, would then want to bring that friend at once to Him. Thousands of people poured out to find Him who had this marvelous power.

Just so, whenever Jesus saves a sinner the news should go out, and others who have unsaved friends should bring them at once to Him. We who know about Christ’s power to heal and save should go everywhere telling the news that those who are in their sins may be roused up to seek Him as their Savior.

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

A Real, True, Extra-Verified Account of Ficino Preaching on the Magi and the Star that Guided Them

Marsilio Ficino, priest-mode, at the pulpit: A star shall come out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. With these words Balaam, in the book of Numbers, foretells the coming of the Messiah.

Lorenzo de' Medici: at least he's talking about the bible this time.

Ficino: Balaam lived in the Eastern area, where the Magi lived too, and among them there were some priests very skilled in astronomy who ruled the people. Thus, they were attentive students of sky signs and had noticed the event that, according Balaam, would be showed by the prodigy of the star.

Angelo Polizianno: oh, oh, astronomy was mentioned within five minutes of the start of the sermon. You owe me five lire, Lorenzo.

Giovanni Cavalcanti: you all owe me, actually. I guessed it to the exact second.

Angelo: you live with him and read his sermons, you're not allowed in our betting pool.

Ficino: Eventually, when Jesus was born, an extraordinary comet shone in the highest part of the sky. What scholars thought about such a comet is stated by Origen in Contra Celsum, when he refers to what he read in the book of the Stoic Cheremon, that in some cases comets can indicate happy and prosperous events. The one shining at the time of Augustus and Jesus' birth has this nature.

Lorenzo: oh thank god a church father was mentioned. First time in a month he's not treated Plato as a church father.

Giovanni: but it makes him so happy!

Ficino: Calcidius, the Platonist, attests the same, referring us to several stories about stars. There are also tales, more sacred and venerable, which state that neither illness or death were heralded with the birth this certain specific star. It was clear to all, rather, that the holy coming of God was heralded and it would bring the grace of redemption to mankind.

Lorenzo: and THERE'S the Platonism.

Ficino: I must pause here to request the peanut gallery to stop talking. Really, Giovanni, I thought you said you had this under control.

Giovanni: sorry. continue.

Ficino: In judging the comet to be prosperous and healthy, in fact, the witnesses recognized that it comes from the nature of the Sun, Jupiter, and Venus. It is taught that when a comet's colour is dark, it is Saturnian, and heralds plague and famine. When it is of the same colour of fire, it is a Martian and foretells battles and fires. Indeed, the greatest part of comets are of these two varieties. In fact! the fire and impetuous strength of Mars draws terrestrial fumes higher, in the upper part of the air, near the Fire sphere where they burn.

Giovanni: this isn't a Ficino Astrology lecture, honey, you're in church

Ficino:

Ficino: anyway. So. When Eastern astronomers, in December, saw a comet rising in the beginning of Sagittarius, they judged it a benevolent apparition, because it shed golden rays, being of Sun nature, silver rays because of Jupiterian nature, and mixed rays because of Venusian nature. Maybe Jupiter, too, was in that moment in the beginning of Sagittarius. The Sun, if others are right in their calculations, was in the middle of the sign. Maybe Venus, always near to the Sun, was in the last degree of the sign.

Lorenzo: am I in church or am I at the Florentine Studio?

Angelo: neither, we're at Ficino and Cavalcanti's after we've all had two bottles of wine each.

Giovanni: .... not inaccurate

Ficino: This celestial configuration caused great admiration and great quarrels. Which is what you are going to get if you don't shut up.

Giovanni: please continue.

Ficino: Thank You. Because of  the position of Jupiter, Sun, and Venus, the Magi judged the one whose birth was heralded would be a rightful king of greatest fame and very merciful. But, because of the Sun, he could not be very rich. How will he be both a great king and poor? Considering Jupiter rising in the angle of the geniture, they judged the nativity very favorable; but sterile because of the Moon in the first facie of Virgo, being the stress on a virgin rather than a pregnant woman.

Angelo: this is very precise. were you there?

Ficino: So I believe that the comet, not natural but divine, was moved, and lighted by the Archangel Gabriel. It was Gabriel in fact that announced John, Christ’s forerunner, to Zachariah and Christ to Mary; it was him to show to the Gentiles the birth of Christ and the place where it occured; and through the Gentiles he persuaded Jews too. And under the form of a star informed the students of stars, and through the light of the star, derived from the Sun he guided them towards the Sun.

Lorenzo: church, Ficino! You're in church!

Giovanni: oh he likes to play with fire. don't worry about it.

Ficino: The astronomers brought gold to the just born king, because they judged him having a Sun nature, with perfumed incense they indicated the grace of Venus, with myrrh they indicated a life under the influence of Jupiter, unaware of putrefaction.

Angelo: magi or astronomers?

Ficino: they're both.

Lorenzo: are you self identifying with them? pagans who find Christ?

Ficino: I'm not answering that. As I was saying, they gave him the gold because he was a king, the incense because he was a priest, the myrrh because he was God. ... It is likely the comet was an Angel; how an Angel in human guise guided Tobias travel, in the same way the Angel under the guise of a comet guided the journey of the astrologers towards Christ.

Giovanni: you didn't take my edits in this part did you? is the comet guided by an angel or an angel?

Ficino: and you aren't listening. It is an angel disguised as a comet. It's Gabriel. Look, don't worry about it.

Angelo: so which of you started saying "Don't worry about it" and passed it on to the other?

Ficino & Giovanni pointing at each other: He did.

Angelo: don't worry about it?

Giovanni: right. Don't even worry about it.

Ficino: As I was saying. The Angel, turned toward the East, promptly directed the comet towards Persia (as in, he as a comet directed his light towards Persia), in order to guide from there the Magi to Christ. From here Isaiah said: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of  the Lord is risen upon thee.  And people walk  in your light. 

Lorenzo: we are back to the Bible! praise be!

Ficino: We have been discussing the Bible the entire time, Lorenzo!

Lorenzo: I've been hearing a lot of stars and magic men. So...

Ficino: Now, what has been said about the sign of Christ being that of Sagittarius was based on the calculation of someone else. In my opinion, Christ's sign is more rightly that of Virgo. While Christ was born, necessarily one of the twelve signs was rising, and I don’t know which sign is more appropriate to give the One who is born from a Virgin than Virgo. 

Giovanni: I love when he does vague drive-bys on other people's astrological readings of Christ's birth.

Angelo: is this a usual occurance at home?

Giovanni: it's pillow talk.

Lorenzo: church! we are in church! oh my god!

Ficino: you're normally not so prudish.

Lorenzo: we're in a church!

Lorenzo:

Lorenzo: wait, you're saying Jesus is a Virgo? But he was born in December.

Angelo: He doesn't seem like a Virgo. Pices is more my read.

Giovanni: Leo. Trust me. He's a Leo.

Ficino: VIRGO. I'VE ASSIGNED HIM VIRGO. It makes sense! Trust me!

Giovanni: If we're just randomly assigning him things not based on his being born in December I still maintain Leo.

Ficino: Was he born in December? Were you there? Do people in ancient Judea have a winter lambing season? Thank you. So. To wrap up. The light which comes from the Good is spread through all the spirits and is beneficial and beatific. It directs us towards the Good and teaches us Stillness (which is God). And it makes it possible that we love the Good and rejoice in it.

Lorenzo: platonic again, we've gone full platonic-letters-from-Marsilio again.

Ficino: Whatever particular Good a man has within him is the image of Good itself. Men without charity, the ones tormented by envy, are starting to fall into darkness and away from the benefits (Goodness) of Light. Since they hate Good, they therefore suffer within Good which is a heartbreak for what is hell but an absence of the Good which is God? Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lorenzo:

Lorenzo: was that last bit a drive by at anyone in particular?

Giovanni: don't worry about it.

Lorenzo: If it's about me, I swear to god -

Angelo: annnnnd it's time for the Credo and for everyone's running commentary to stop.

Ficino: THANK YOU.

--------

note: Ficino's sermon language is taken from an actual sermon he gave on the star that led the Magi to Christ.

[lesmislettersdaily]

A Suitable Tomb

Volume 1: Fantine; Book 8: A Counter-Blow; Chapter 5: A Suitable Tomb

Javert deposited Jean Valjean in the city prison.

The arrest of M. Madeleine occasioned a sensation, or rather, an extraordinary commotion in M. sur M. We are sorry that we cannot conceal the fact, that at the single word, “He was a convict,” nearly every one deserted him. In less than two hours all the good that he had done had been forgotten, and he was nothing but a “convict from the galleys.” It is just to add that the details of what had taken place at Arras were not yet known. All day long conversations like the following were to be heard in all quarters of the town:—

“You don’t know? He was a liberated convict!” “Who?” “The mayor.” “Bah! M. Madeleine?” “Yes.” “Really?” “His name was not Madeleine at all; he had a frightful name, Béjean, Bojean, Boujean.” “Ah! Good God!” “He has been arrested.” “Arrested!” “In prison, in the city prison, while waiting to be transferred.” “Until he is transferred!” “He is to be transferred!” “Where is he to be taken?” “He will be tried at the Assizes for a highway robbery which he committed long ago.” “Well! I suspected as much. That man was too good, too perfect, too affected. He refused the cross; he bestowed sous on all the little scamps he came across. I always thought there was some evil history back of all that.”

The “drawing-rooms” particularly abounded in remarks of this nature.

One old lady, a subscriber to the Drapeau Blanc, made the following remark, the depth of which it is impossible to fathom:—

“I am not sorry. It will be a lesson to the Bonapartists!”

It was thus that the phantom which had been called M. Madeleine vanished from M. sur M. Only three or four persons in all the town remained faithful to his memory. The old portress who had served him was among the number.

On the evening of that day the worthy old woman was sitting in her lodge, still in a thorough fright, and absorbed in sad reflections. The factory had been closed all day, the carriage gate was bolted, the street was deserted. There was no one in the house but the two nuns, Sister Perpétue and Sister Simplice, who were watching beside the body of Fantine.

Towards the hour when M. Madeleine was accustomed to return home, the good portress rose mechanically, took from a drawer the key of M. Madeleine’s chamber, and the flat candlestick which he used every evening to go up to his quarters; then she hung the key on the nail whence he was accustomed to take it, and set the candlestick on one side, as though she was expecting him. Then she sat down again on her chair, and became absorbed in thought once more. The poor, good old woman had done all this without being conscious of it.

It was only at the expiration of two hours that she roused herself from her reverie, and exclaimed, “Hold! My good God Jesus! And I hung his key on the nail!”

At that moment the small window in the lodge opened, a hand passed through, seized the key and the candlestick, and lighted the taper at the candle which was burning there.

The portress raised her eyes, and stood there with gaping mouth, and a shriek which she confined to her throat.

She knew that hand, that arm, the sleeve of that coat.

It was M. Madeleine.

It was several seconds before she could speak; she had a seizure, as she said herself, when she related the adventure afterwards.

“Good God, Monsieur le Maire,” she cried at last, “I thought you were—”

She stopped; the conclusion of her sentence would have been lacking in respect towards the beginning. Jean Valjean was still Monsieur le Maire to her.

He finished her thought.

“In prison,” said he. “I was there; I broke a bar of one of the windows; I let myself drop from the top of a roof, and here I am. I am going up to my room; go and find Sister Simplice for me. She is with that poor woman, no doubt.”

The old woman obeyed in all haste.

He gave her no orders; he was quite sure that she would guard him better than he should guard himself.

No one ever found out how he had managed to get into the courtyard without opening the big gates. He had, and always carried about him, a pass-key which opened a little side-door; but he must have been searched, and his latch-key must have been taken from him. This point was never explained.

He ascended the staircase leading to his chamber. On arriving at the top, he left his candle on the top step of his stairs, opened his door with very little noise, went and closed his window and his shutters by feeling, then returned for his candle and re-entered his room.

It was a useful precaution; it will be recollected that his window could be seen from the street.

He cast a glance about him, at his table, at his chair, at his bed which had not been disturbed for three days. No trace of the disorder of the night before last remained. The portress had “done up” his room; only she had picked out of the ashes and placed neatly on the table the two iron ends of the cudgel and the forty-sou piece which had been blackened by the fire.

He took a sheet of paper, on which he wrote: “These are the two tips of my iron-shod cudgel and the forty-sou piece stolen from Little Gervais, which I mentioned at the Court of Assizes,” and he arranged this piece of paper, the bits of iron, and the coin in such a way that they were the first things to be seen on entering the room. From a cupboard he pulled out one of his old shirts, which he tore in pieces. In the strips of linen thus prepared he wrapped the two silver candlesticks. He betrayed neither haste nor agitation; and while he was wrapping up the Bishop’s candlesticks, he nibbled at a piece of black bread. It was probably the prison-bread which he had carried with him in his flight.

This was proved by the crumbs which were found on the floor of the room when the authorities made an examination later on.

There came two taps at the door.

“Come in,” said he.

It was Sister Simplice.

She was pale; her eyes were red; the candle which she carried trembled in her hand. The peculiar feature of the violences of destiny is, that however polished or cool we may be, they wring human nature from our very bowels, and force it to reappear on the surface. The emotions of that day had turned the nun into a woman once more. She had wept, and she was trembling.

Jean Valjean had just finished writing a few lines on a paper, which he handed to the nun, saying, “Sister, you will give this to Monsieur le Curé.”

The paper was not folded. She cast a glance upon it.

“You can read it,” said he.

She read:—

“I beg Monsieur le Curé to keep an eye on all that I leave behind me. He will be so good as to pay out of it the expenses of my trial, and of the funeral of the woman who died yesterday. The rest is for the poor.”

The sister tried to speak, but she only managed to stammer a few inarticulate sounds. She succeeded in saying, however:—

“Does not Monsieur le Maire desire to take a last look at that poor, unhappy woman?”

“No,” said he; “I am pursued; it would only end in their arresting me in that room, and that would disturb her.”

He had hardly finished when a loud noise became audible on the staircase. They heard a tumult of ascending footsteps, and the old portress saying in her loudest and most piercing tones:—

“My good sir, I swear to you by the good God, that not a soul has entered this house all day, nor all the evening, and that I have not even left the door.”

A man responded:—

“But there is a light in that room, nevertheless.”

They recognized Javert’s voice.

The chamber was so arranged that the door in opening masked the corner of the wall on the right. Jean Valjean blew out the light and placed himself in this angle. Sister Simplice fell on her knees near the table.

The door opened.

Javert entered.

The whispers of many men and the protestations of the portress were audible in the corridor.

The nun did not raise her eyes. She was praying.

The candle was on the chimney-piece, and gave but very little light.

Javert caught sight of the nun and halted in amazement.

It will be remembered that the fundamental point in Javert, his element, the very air he breathed, was veneration for all authority. This was impregnable, and admitted of neither objection nor restriction. In his eyes, of course, the ecclesiastical authority was the chief of all; he was religious, superficial and correct on this point as on all others. In his eyes, a priest was a mind, who never makes a mistake; a nun was a creature who never sins; they were souls walled in from this world, with a single door which never opened except to allow the truth to pass through.

On perceiving the sister, his first movement was to retire.

But there was also another duty which bound him and impelled him imperiously in the opposite direction. His second movement was to remain and to venture on at least one question.

This was Sister Simplice, who had never told a lie in her life. Javert knew it, and held her in special veneration in consequence.

“Sister,” said he, “are you alone in this room?”

A terrible moment ensued, during which the poor portress felt as though she should faint.

The sister raised her eyes and answered:—

“Yes.”

“Then,” resumed Javert, “you will excuse me if I persist; it is my duty; you have not seen a certain person—a man—this evening? He has escaped; we are in search of him—that Jean Valjean; you have not seen him?”

The sister replied:—

“No.”

She lied. She had lied twice in succession, one after the other, without hesitation, promptly, as a person does when sacrificing herself.

“Pardon me,” said Javert, and he retired with a deep bow.

O sainted maid! you left this world many years ago; you have rejoined your sisters, the virgins, and your brothers, the angels, in the light; may this lie be counted to your credit in paradise!

The sister’s affirmation was for Javert so decisive a thing that he did not even observe the singularity of that candle which had but just been extinguished, and which was still smoking on the table.

An hour later, a man, marching amid trees and mists, was rapidly departing from M. sur M. in the direction of Paris. That man was Jean Valjean. It has been established by the testimony of two or three carters who met him, that he was carrying a bundle; that he was dressed in a blouse. Where had he obtained that blouse? No one ever found out. But an aged workman had died in the infirmary of the factory a few days before, leaving behind him nothing but his blouse. Perhaps that was the one.

One last word about Fantine.

We all have a mother,—the earth. Fantine was given back to that mother.

The curé thought that he was doing right, and perhaps he really was, in reserving as much money as possible from what Jean Valjean had left for the poor. Who was concerned, after all? A convict and a woman of the town. That is why he had a very simple funeral for Fantine, and reduced it to that strictly necessary form known as the pauper’s grave.

So Fantine was buried in the free corner of the cemetery which belongs to anybody and everybody, and where the poor are lost. Fortunately, God knows where to find the soul again. Fantine was laid in the shade, among the first bones that came to hand; she was subjected to the promiscuousness of ashes. She was thrown into the public grave. Her grave resembled her bed.

[lumierecharity]

SERVICE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY: THE BEGINNING OF LENT

ASH WEDNESDAY CHURCH SERVICE If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and thus begin your Lent?  Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. All of your intentions have been held before the Lord. Celebrant; 'The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart you will not despise."                          

Psalm 51:17 Congregation; 'Lord, have mercy.' Beginning hymn; God of mercy and compassion Lyrics;

"God of mercy and compassion,

Look with pity upon me.

Father, let me call Thee Father,

'Tis Thy child returns to Thee.

Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy,

Let me not implore in vain.

All my sins I now detest them,

Never will I sin again."

Celebrant; "Since the early days followers of Christ have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord's passion and resurrection. It is the custom of the Church to prepare for this by a season of penitence and fasting.

At first this season of Lent was observed by those who were preparing for baptism at Easter and by those who were to be restored to the Church's fellowship from which they had been separated through sin. In course of time the Church came to recognize that, by a careful keeping of these days, all might take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I invite you, therefore, in the Name of the Lord to observe a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word."

A period of reflective silence follows.

Celebrant: "Let us pray for grace to keep Lent faithfully.

Almighty and everlasting God, forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we may be truly sorry for our sins, and obtain from You, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Invitation to Confession; 

Celebrant: "Have mercy on us, O Lord." Congregation: "For we have sinned against You." Congregation; "Lord, have mercy."

Celebrant; "God our Father, You sent Your Son; born of a Virgin, born in a stable. Forgive our failures to receive Him. Lord have mercy." Congregation; "Lord, have mercy". Celebrant; "Jesus our Savior, Born in poverty, apprentice to carpenter, Forgive the times we have wanted money more than the ways of God.  Christ, have mercy". Congregation; "Christ, have mercy". Celebrant; "Spirit of Love, Your servants Mary and Joseph obeyed Your Word and gave us our Saviour. Forgive us when our hearts are hard". Congregation; "Lord have mercy". Celebrant; "May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to life eternal". Congregation; "Amen".  Celebrant; "May God Who loved the world so much,  That He sent His Son to be our Saviour, Forgive us our sins, and make us holy to serve Him in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord". Congregation; "Amen.".

Here follows a few moments of silence. Reach out to God with your heart, and think of any area in your life where you can improve as a person. If there is an area in your life on which you need to work, silently communicate with God and commit to addressing this area. Readings; First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah, 58;1-12     

TRUE FASTING

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.

For day after day they seek me out;

they seem eager to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that does what is right

and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions

and seem eager for God to come near them.

'Why have we fasted,' they say,

'and you have not seen it?

Why have we humbled ourselves,

and you have not noticed?'

"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please

and exploit all your workers.

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today,

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for people to humble themselves?

Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed

and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the LORD?

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, 

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

"This is the Word of the Lord."

Congregation: "Thanks be to God."

THE GOSPEL

Matthew 6:1-6                         

GIVING TO THE NEEDY

Celebrant: "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

PRAYER

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, Who is unseen Then your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

"This is the gospel of the Lord."

Congregation: "Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ."

WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT Celebrant; "The Holy Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, where He undertook forty days of fasting. During Lent we are called upon to accompany Jesus by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. We are thus called upon to tame our inner selves. We can never be truly free if we are enslaved to food, alcohol, drugs, physical intimacy without commitment, bad temper, laziness. We are not free if we are unable to be the master of our personality and ego.

Jesus overcame the flesh, the world and the devil. These three great powers enslaved humanity completely before Christ came to break their bonds. We must continually rebel against these three great powers in the course of our growth in holiness. Ephesians 2:2-3 tells us, "You once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh". 

"The course of this world" refers to the ways of culture and society which oppose the Lord.  There are ungodly trends in the world that once ruled our passions but now are defeated in Christ. And the journey of Lent helps us to rein our emotions, tame our passions, purify our thoughts, cleanse our speech, spring-clean our motives and practise godly behavior.

Perhaps you have a sin which is over-riding your life. Don't worry. This simply means you are a member of the human race. We are all struggling with after-effects of the Fall. Yet we are not struggling alone. Christ strides ahead of us into the desert to wrestle with the great powers which threaten our holiness. Let us follow with courage and seek His grace.

What are the practical things you can do during these forty days of reflection, prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Well, spend time in prayer. Be kind. Follow the Ten Commandments. If you have become weak with regard to one of the commandments, don't be too harsh with yourself about it. Just make a resolution to change, and find practical ways to change your habit. Confess your sins to God. Forgive others their sins towards you. 

Become at peace with your world: and you too will overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. Remember you are not alone. On all sides clouds of witnesses are also striving towards holiness. We move towards heaven as the People of God. 

Be of good cheer. Jesus has already won our redemption. Let us practise self-discipline this Lent and accept this great gift."

You may spend some time in quiet reflectilon if you so wish. BLESSING WITH ASHES

Celebrant:  "We are blessed with ashes to remind us that God fashioned us from the earth, and we are organic: to the earth we shall return. Yet this is not the end, rather the beginning. Created in God's holy Image, we will not perish. Our immortal soul is destined for eternity in heaven. Our earthly body will be raised up at the resurrection, glorified and united with our soul and spirit. May this blessing of ashes upon your forehead remind you that, "you are dust, and to dust you shall return." May the symbol of ash remind you, too, of our glorious destiny once we have won the race and lived a godly life.

Enter into Lent with the resolve to make a true and repentant spiritual journey in the footsteps of the Christ Who sets us free."

(Herewith receive the blessing of ashes upon the forehead).

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Celebrant; '"Lord, our God, grant us grace to desire You with our whole heart; that so desiring, we may seek and find You: and so finding, may love You: and so loving, may hate those sins from which You have delivered us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation; "Amen." Celebrant; "Make our hearts clean, O Lord." Congregation; "And renew a right spirit within us." All:  ''Father eternal, giver of light and grace,

we have sinned against You and against our neighbor,

in what we have thought, in what we have said and done:

through ignorance, through weakness,

through our own deliberate fault.

We have wounded Your love, and marred Your Image in us.

We are sorry and ashamed, and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, Who died for us,

forgive us all that is past;

and lead us out from darkness to walk as children of light. Amen." . Absolution; "Almighty God, Who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal: through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation; "Amen." HOLY COMMUNION Celebrant; "Most merciful Lord, Your love compels us to return to You. Our hands were unclean, our hearts were unprepared, we were not fit even to eat the crumbs from under Your table. But You, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share Your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, that He may live in us and we in Him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in Your kingdom.

We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to His disciples and said; 'Take, eat; this is My Body which is broken for you.  Do this in memory of me.' Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.' Celebrant; 'After the same manner also He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Take this, all of you, and drink; for this is My Blood; the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Do This in memory of Me.' Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation.'  THE LORD'S PRAYER 'Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,  But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever, Amen.' BENEDICTION Celebrant; "Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, and to take up your cross and follow Him; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you, and remain with you always." Congregation; 'Amen'. After a period of silent prayer, go out into your Lent.

Blessings!

LENT - THE TIME FOR FASTING, PRAYER AND ALSMGIVING

With thanks to youtube and freeclipart

[bookoformon]

3 Nephi 21, Part 1. "The Marble Office."

Jesus continues to speak about a time when everyone will be numbered among His people, and there will be a sign the Power of the Holy Ghost will prevent the hardening of hearts and make it so. The Book of Mormon was supposed to have been the sign, and as we know it was, and was not successful at melting hard hearts.

Israel will be gathered when the Book of Mormon comes forth—The Gentiles will be established as a free people in America—They will be saved if they believe and obey; otherwise, they will be cut off and destroyed—Israel will build the New Jerusalem, and the lost tribes will return. About A.D. 34. "Glared."

1 And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion;

2 And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them;

3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you;

4 For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel;

5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity;

6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel;

7 And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.

The numnutz -the Evangelicals and others like them tell the world they are a part of Israel, by the power of Grayskull or something, but as it turns out, not even the Monster would want to be a part of that mess we call Israel.

To say one is of Israel or numbered among those Belonging to the Lamb is absolutely absurd.

Following are the Seven Days the Spirit of God states are the beginning of Israel if we accept Him and His Counsel and come to know "the true points" of the doctrine:

v 1: Establish Zion. The Value in Gematria is 12004, יבאֶפֶסאֶפֶסד‎, "He will fail." Our current level of dispersion, which does not represent our penchant for diversity in the least is causing us to fail as a human race. Why are we so prone to failure? We can obviously all read, so it is not that, it is a failure to comprehend. He who cannot deign to try to comprehend the Scripture will fail. If one person fails, then many might soon fail with him.

v 2: A Sign/The Remant. The Value in Gematria is 14432, אד‎‎דג‎‎ב, "I'm sorry." Refers to repentance for all the violence, corruption, and hell on earth. Except these things are forbidden. The Remnant of the House of Jacob is our only hope for explaining this to the rest of the human race.

v 3: Verily, Verily. The Value in Gematria is 9745, טזדה‎ ‎, tezda, "documented." A document is a divorce decree. Once one says "I'm sorry" about being violent and divorces the Egyptians by observing the Passover, one can proceed to Day 4.

v 4: For it is wisdom (called Binah). The Value in Gematria is 9028, ט אֶפֶסבח‎, T. Ephesbah, "you are beautiful when you are organized."

"The verb צבא (saba') is complicated. Dictionaries give its meaning as to wage war/ fight/ serve, but here at Abarim Publications we entirely disagree with that:

Our verb focuses on the unified behavior of any closely interlinked group, whether it's an army that moves as a single unit but with separate divisions (Numbers 31:7), or Levites serving in the tabernacle (Numbers 4:23) or women serving at the tabernacle's entrance (Exodus 38:8).

Since in the Old Testament large, unified groups are usually armies, this verb mostly expresses military engagement. But to conclude that our verb is essentially military — and therefore that the servants of the tabernacle were engaged in spiritual warfare (as per HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) — is fantastic and wildly off the wall.

Our verb expresses a wholly integrated organization and all its activities: in the inevitable military sense, the whole of the military that consists of soldiers, cooks, engineers and what not. Our word 'military' is thought to have to do with the Sanskrit noun melah meaning 'assembly', which hits the nail on the head. A military engagement described by this verb covers not just the actual battle but rather the whole gamut of intelligence, planning and diplomacy; the whole engagement."

v 5: Therefore these works. The Value in Gematria is 13239, יגבג‎‎‎טm yagbeget, "yes, in the winepress."

v 6: For it behooveth. The Value in Gematria is 10918, אאֶפֶסטאח, apestah, "Ephesus." Ephesus is the epoch that comes after this one; it is the state of realization that happens after epic failure. Which explains us perfectly.

v 7: The House of Israel. The Value in Gematria is 10975, אאֶפֶסטזה‎, epistasis, "the Marble Office."

The Rab says the world, made in Seven Days contains Seven Marble Pillars which reside within gold sockets:

"The concept can be explained as follows:1 “The Holy One, blessed be He, desired to have a dwelling in the lower worlds.” The Sages saw a hint to this in the verse,2 “His thighs are pillars of marble based on sockets of fine gold.”

“The word ‘his thighs’ [שוקיו in Hebrew] refers to this world which G‑d desired [נשתוקק in Hebrew] to create. ‘Pillars of marble’ indicates that [the world] was created in six days [for the Hebrew שש means both ‘marble’ and ‘six’]. ‘Based on sockets of gold’ refers to the portions of the Torah.”3

On the verse,4 “In the beginning G‑d created...,” our Sages note that the word ב��אשית (“in the beginning”) comprises two elements — ב ראשית, implying “two firsts”; i.e., for the sake of two entities referred to as “first”, the Jews and the Torah, G‑d created the world.5 

This indicates that the ultimate intent of the creation of the world is that the Jews should study the Torah in the form in which it was given in this world. This fulfills [G‑d’s] intention in creating [all] the worlds, [i.e., the higher spiritual realms as well as this material world].

It is written,6 “Torah is light.” This implies that when all the aspects of existence are conducted according to the Torah, then the world will be maintained. Thus, our Sages declared,7 “The Holy One, blessed be He, made a condition with all the works of Creation: If Israel accepts the Torah, you will continue to exist; if not, I shall return you all to nothingness and void.’ ”

Fulfilling the Torah means that the mitzvos are observed as prescribed by the Torah. The Hebrew מצוה [“commandment”] is related to the word צוותא, meaning “connection”. [On a very basic level,] giving a command establishes a connection between the commander and the people who receive the commands.

On the material plane, we see that a command is only relevant between people who share a connection, e.g., a father commands a son, or a master, his servant. Furthermore, the fulfillment of a command in general, and in particular, the commitment to fulfill it in a precise manner, indicates the depth of the connection shared by the one receiving the command with the commander.

[To illustrate:] The way the commands of a master are fulfilled differs in several respects from the way the commands of a father are fulfilled. Sons possess an essential quality lacking in servants. Conversely, there is a superiority in the acceptance of the yoke [of servitude], which servants possess over sons.

Both [sons and servants] share a common factor: It is through the fulfillment of a command that they, the recipients of the commands, establish their connection and bond with the commander.

[In a spiritual sense,] it is the fulfillment of the commandments which brings pleasure to the Creator. As our Sages teach,8 “I derive satisfaction from the fact that I made a statement and My will was fulfilled.”

SO, what do you people think you are going to tell the history books about all of this? You read but didn't think? That you simply couldn't fathom how important it is to be non-violent, to avoid manufacturing weapns, to avoid making babies the world can't feed or support? How calling people names and legalizing their persecution is not of God?

These things are not of the nature of Israel, a place that bears God's Name, meant to be kept sacred and holy. But it is naught but a subject of controversy, endless agony and a symbol of the failure of mankind to behave and perform as the most beloved creation of God.

We must close this epoch as the scripture says, take with us the survivors and those willing to serve the rest and put a final end to the ignominy associated with the name Israel. If we rescue Israel, we will rescue the entire world for all time. If we abandon it as we have, then this world will conclude.

[yhwhrulz]

Today's Daily Encounter Thursday, January 18, 2024

God's Miraculous Protection

"She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. 'This is one of the Hebrew babies,' she said. Then his sister asked Pharoah's daughter, 'Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?' 'Yes, go,' she answered. So the girl went and got the baby's mother. Pharoah's daughter said to her, 'Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.' So the woman took the baby and nursed him."1

Before you begin today's devotional, pause to meditate on God's mercies that are new every day, for He loves and cares for you. Prepare your heart for God to speak to you.

Today's story is about the baby Moses who is miraculously saved from a severe Egyptian decree that condemns all newborn Hebrew males to death. Thanks to God's providence and a mother full of faith, Moses ends up being adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. The situation in today's passage is almost chaotic, but, like all Old Testament narratives, this is a story that can minister to our lives.

Although God is not mentioned in today's verses, he is still the protagonist of this episode, as his presence drives the unfolding of events, revealing his purposes and reminding us of his unstoppable plan of redemption for mankind. In Genesis, God promised Abraham a great nation with a land of its own, a nation that would later welcome the incarnate Christ. The birth of Moses and his divine preservation signal another turn toward the fulfillment of that plan. We see God shaping history in order to prepare humanity for Jesus' glorious rescue mission. All of this is important context, as content like this helps us understand the background of the gospel message. Today's story reminds us that God has always kept in mind his plan of salvation for all of us.

God's miracle of preserving Moses' life is comforting and revealing. We discover a sovereign God over history, whose purposes cannot be thwarted despite the desperate attempts of oppressive powers. While Pharaoh wanted evil for the people of Israel, God wanted their good. And when it comes to a struggle between God's designs and man's designs, there is only one victor, that is, God's will reigns over all things.

Let us not forget that God's plan is the supreme plan. As with Moses, he only wants good for us. No wonder Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done," in Matthew 6. This is the best way to pray! This passage is a reminder that the safest place in all the world is to be within God's will, even when times are tough. God does not promise us an easy life, but He does promise us that He will be with us at all times.

Like Moses, God can also rescue you from hostile situations. In fact, because of Jesus, we have been rescued from our own sin and delivered from separation from God. Take a moment today to surrender to God's will, taking up the wonderful words of John Newton: "'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your omnipotence and sovereignty over all things. Give me courage to surrender totally to your will. I recognize that your plan is the best. I desire to fulfill your purpose in my life and live according to your precepts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Exodus 2:6-9.

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.

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[rfhusnik]

Sky Memories

      Written By:  Sharon Same

         As I begin here, I’d like to note that although I’m listed as this writing’s author, most of its words are those of otherworldly masters, repeated here by me as best I can recall them. And, maybe they form some sort of defense barrier against all the guilt that mortals both justly and unjustly carry due to the carelessness and sinfulness of mankind.

           But I’ve noticed that over the years I’ve been able to construct a personal barrier against what I term “societal guilt.” And that fortress is my belief that no absolute point has ever been determined at which feeling sorry for oneself begins, and looking at situations objectively ends, and vice versa. And I suppose that belief is especially meaningful for me because, simply, it’s not always easy to be the wife of a man who once, in the reality of Earth’s passing time, met and was befriended by Jesus Christ.

           And in many instances Joe and I have been confronted by writers and various news reporting types who’ve wanted to question Joe concerning his encounter with God’s Son. But he never speaks about it. And all I’ve ever known him to say about it, was his description of Christ’s appearance which he offered in the book he wrote about his excursions.

           And I certainly hope I harbor no jealousy toward Joe for his having met Christ. Yet, had I met Him, I know I’d have asked Him how each and every mortal should carry his or her share of the guilt mankind accrued through its first grievous error – committed in Eden. Time passes by, and like all creatures born into Earth’s Earth One reality, Joe and I are getting older. Oh, sure, we’re still fairly young, and maybe we’ll still become parents someday; yet, sometimes the weight of misdeeds committed by both ourselves and others becomes almost unbearable.

           One day, not long ago, as Joe and I were looking out at the train tracks behind our house, a man suddenly appeared out of literally nowhere and began to walk along them! “Where did he come from?” Joe asked.

           “I don’t know” I replied. “I didn’t see him there when I first looked out. It was as if he just appeared there”!

           So Joe and I ran out of the house quickly then. We wanted to catch the stranger before he passed by our property. And as we neared him I could see that he wore some type of metal screen around his face. But Joe apparently recognized him, ran to him, and grasped his hand. “Sharon, I’d like you to meet The Man Behind The Screen” he said.

           “I’m pleased to meet you” I said.

           “And I’m pleased to finally meet Mrs. Same” he said. “You know, I wasn’t deliberately walking here today. I didn’t even know where on the south side of the city the two of you lived. I guess fate must have directed me here.”

           “We’re glad it did” said Joe. “Why don’t you come inside the house for a while?” “Well, you know what, as long as fate, or unknown entities, or whomever has sent me to the two of you, I’ve got an idea that the three of us are supposed to ‘discover’ something here on your lawn today” replied The Screened Man.

           “Okay” said Joe. “We’ll oblige you.”

           And then the Man Behind The Screen said “Today, in a show of support and solemnity, let’s hold hands here, and attempt to summon pieces of otherworldly inevitabilities from our own claimed place in the sun.”

           And thus Joe and I and The Man Behind The Screen did sit at a patio table that day, and from a place shaded from direct rays of mankind’s eternal sun, held hands then, high in the air. And then in a loud voice The Man Behind The Screen cried out in a language I’d never heard or read before upon Planet Earth. And suddenly the afternoon brightness disappeared, and a thick darkness descended upon us. And all was black then for as far as I could see, although it’s possible, or I’m thinking more likely probable, that the artificial night did not extend beyond the boundaries of our property.

           But suddenly then I saw five figures appear in the darkened sky! Two were female, and three were male. The females, and two of the males were dressed in white robes, but the third male stood apart from the other four figures, And he was dressed in what would be considered very common attire for males of this current time. Yet, I noticed that a large X was upon his shirt.

           And as these five figures loomed before and above us, eventually some sort of projector type machine appeared to the near right of the man wearing the X. And this device then began to “shoot” images out upon a darkened sky! And these apparent capturings of bygone moments appeared in a sort of manufactured light then.

           And the first of these was of a seemingly deserted beach. Waves crashed in upon the sand there, yet all seemed somehow empty except for a sign placed in the middle of the picture. It read “Welcome to Windigo Island.” And then X’s voice broke the silence. He said “Look how easily sunshine filters through a slightly cloudy sky above Windigo today. Look how reminders of the past exist there still, and always will.”

           And after Windigo’s portrait had faded from our sight, we next saw Joe and another person displayed upon the sky above us. The unknown person spoke, and asked Joe this:  “In your book you said you actually came face to face with Christ. If you really did, explain his physical appearance to me.”

           And Joe answered: “I can’t, and I doubt any other mortal could satisfactorily describe His mortal image. But know this:  If one has what one believes to be a clear picture of Him in one’s mind, then one is seeing Him as He appears.”

           And with that said, Joe and his “questioner” disappeared from our sight, and were replaced by a flock of “robotic” appearing birds! And by terming them robotic I’m trying to convey that they looked and moved more as small machines would, rather than actual living creatures. But while they appeared machine-like, indeed they were alive! And their leader spoke to us! And his or her words will now constitute the remainder of this piece.

           “We are the chamber birds of Windigo Island. And today we see five beings displayed with us in the clouds, and three watching still from mankind’s abode below us. Know now that four of these standing with us in the clouds, reside today with The Son Of Man, while X seeks His mercy still. And to you below us, also like X, still in anticipation of eternal rectification, we now offer these following words; spoken by us to hopefully aid all mortals in their quest for earthly order, and heavenly reward.

           Remember that there are many little dictators walking along life’s pathways. And their words and deeds always exemplify their attempts to glamorize their own lives – lives usually lived in efforts to control the lives of others. And look now upon the portrait of the foremost of these. He’s the leader with small moustache. He oversaw the deaths of millions.

           But note how quickly Hitler’s image fades now; and is replaced by the portrait of one who, long ago, in pursuit of a temporal crown, is said to have killed his own two nephews; and then ruled for a mere two years in that great British isle near Europe. And we fought against him at Bosworth Field. And we’ll never forget his cry for a horse just before his death at the hands of his enemies. But why is he portrayed here after Adolf Hitler? Were his crimes worse than those of the Nazis? No, but in some strange sense we prefer to use his vileness to best showcase the inborn jealousy and savagery of mankind.

           But now, as Richard fades from our site, we see a middle aged man of means from Beverly Hills. He’s showing some slides of dying children in Africa. And he’s asking for contributions for them. That must be an honorable endeavor – right? Or does he and others like him portray social rightness to be on the left, while in their world the political right features nihilism?

           Oh, and there’s a newspaper lying on a table. It informs us that this year’s first round draft pick has signed for undisclosed millions. And that knowledge has now uplifted us! And it’s planted optimism for the future in our psyches! But now we’ve just remembered that the very disciple who once chided Martha for wasting money on oil with which to wash the Master’s feet, was also the same disciple who later needed to throw his thirty pieces of silver  on to the high priest’s floor.

           So yes people! Yes! They’ll hammer it home to you eventually! Watch for the new world! In it racism will remain, yet police salaries will be defunded. And there will be people (if indeed they’ll still be able to be termed people) of all imaginable and unimaginable genders and life preferences. And those who remain religious will be termed haters of science and threats to the world’s new order. And a class of downtrodden workers will be forced to feed and care for a newly created class of worldwide border trespassers, vagabonds, and so-called asylum seekers.

           And is it any wonder then that our next representation shows us a perplexed Pilate failing to understand why an angry mob demands the death of an innocent man? And oh if only we also could wash our hands of all the peril others have caused us; and also of all the futile situations they’ve forced us into!

           But now our carnival of slides is ending. And in finality we see an old man drive an automobile by us on a cloud-filled highway. “My name is Jay Blyden” he calls to us. And as  we watch him drive by, we notice that at some distance down the highway he veers sharply to the left, leaves the roadway, and is enveloped by the quagmire in the ditch.

[the-single-element]

Good morning.

For the last couple weeks, we've been hearing from Luke's Good News about what it means to act upon our love. Despite what we might intuit (by this world's reckoning, which has a nasty tendency to devolve to math of a sort incompatible with the Kingdom), we've learned that acting on our love must be deeper than satisfying a set of obligations or calculating the best utility cost-benefit, and indeed will sometimes conflict with that type of ethical calculus.

Which is baffling, right? The best outcome isn't the best outcome? Do good wastefully instead of efficiently because you felt like it?

It seems unbelievable.

Then perhaps today's readings, which follow hot on the heels of last week's, contain the evidence we need that this is not an inexplicable dictat handed down from God... but, rather, is so integral to the logic of the Kingdom of God that God does it too.

We hear first from the life of Abraham, who (between readings) has heard from last week's divine guests that God is going to destroy a pair of nearby cities to end the outrages taking place there (i.e. that, in stark contrast to the laws of hospitality we discussed last week, it's apparently standard practice there to rape any travellers passing through). Abraham, knowing that his nephew Lot lives in Sodom, audaciously starts haggling with God, asking for mercy for the whole city if a certain threshold of innocent people can be found there.

In the end, it's not enough to save Sodom from destruction; according to the story, the angels sent to investigate the matter were only able to find and save Lot's own family.

But Abraham - whose relationship with God was still good, at this point in his life - asked, and God agreed.

Was God always planning to spare the city for the sake of a few, like Abraham had asked?

Or, perhaps, was the conversation, and indeed sending the angels to "investigate", mere pretense? Did God already know that there were, at most, eight "righteous people" in Sodom, and thus that Abraham's stipulations were in vain?

It's easy to make such arguments, sitting here in AD 2022 with our image of a cosmic God who is not just omnipotent but omniscient and omnibenevolent as well.

But if that's how we're supposed to read this story... then what would be the point of framing it like this, with all this "I'll go investigate what's going on"? And for that matter, if God stuck around to have this conversation with Abraham because he wanted to loop Abraham into what he was doing, then wouldn't he also speak up when Abraham begins haggling and either reassure him "no, of course not, I never intended to do such a thing", or else break the bad news that "sorry, but there aren't even ten"?

No, I think for this story to make any sense we have to take it at face value, and imagine, instead, a God who's willing to listen to his friend Abraham and modify his plans at that friend's urging... because that's the God that Jesus describes today, too, when he teaches his disciples about the power of prayer.

Surely, we speculate, a God who's omnipotent and omniscient and omnibenevolent is always making the optimal move, right? Surely there's no point in praying for intercession, because either it's the best move (and so God was already going to do it), or it isn't the best move (and so God is going to make the best move instead no matter what you say).

But Jesus contradicts this. Jesus's image of God is one whose heart can be "moved with pity" too, just like our own. A God who's willing to make detours from the golden path that a paperclipper-god might take - even a "benevolent" one - because that's what love does to a person. When someone you love asks you for something, you tend to say yes! Even if you have your doubts about whether it's a good idea!

Do you think this makes God any less omnibenevolent? Hardly! God is love, not utility.

And so this is the principle that our own native land operates on, as well. When we pray "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done", that's the state of affairs that we long to come to Earth, the state of affairs that God is trying to bring to Earth through the Good News.

As always, Jesus is being fair. He's not sending us on a mission to someplace he's never been, but rather, asking us to come where he is, and see how good it is there. When God wants us to let our hearts move us with pity and help the battered victim in the ditch, to cut past obligation and greet our beloved ones in friendship instead... it's because, like all of his message, he wants us to have a share in the divine life, adopted as full members of his own family, drawn along with Jesus through (by this world's logic) death, into a kind of life that we could never have imagined.

[ptergwen]

I think your requests are open (I didn’t see anything that said otherwise but I suck at this app lol) but I was wondering if you could write a peter x reader (likely college-age) where they have an academic rivalry and just tease each other a lot and lots of fluff and shit? It can be an established relationship or like a friends/rivals to lovers or really whatever you want. Sorry if this is super specific! Anyways, I love your writing, it always cheers me up :)

friends close, enemies closer

ik this is cherry BUT i had to

w/c: 1.6k

warnings: swearing and hints of suggestiveness

a/n: thank you my love ! i’m actually obsessed with this concept so i’m super super happy with how it came out n i hope you are too :,)

-

you wipe sweat from your upper lip, peeking at peter’s laptop screen. he’s more than halfway through the paper your english professor tasked your class to write. he looks to have not a worry in the world as he continues to type away. growling at this, you dive right back into work.

you’ve been at each other’s throats since the beginning of classes when you both wanted the same spot. first row, middle seat. peter had officially claimed it in the end. you’d flopped down next to him and his irritating smirk.

the dude is smart, you’ll give him that. his knowledge of literature is almost as impressive as yours. almost. he raises his hand any chance he gets, effectively stealing your thunder if you dare to participate.

peter is also a bit of a people pleaser. he’ll chat up your professor at office hours, fascinate her with his hot takes on things or stupid anecdotes. you often get so annoyed that you bail before you even attempt to woo her yourself. the sight of you storming off is something peter thoroughly enjoys.

bottom line is, golden boy peter parker never loses. underneath the sweet, innocent persona he hides behind is a ruthless fighter. you’re determined to end his winning streak, thus sparking your ongoing competition to be better than the other in every way possible.

this time, your goal is to meet your ten page paper requirements the fastest. they aren’t due for weeks, but you and peter are banging them out in one sitting.

you’re hauled up in the campus library, sat side by side despite your wishes for peter to get his own table. he’d insisted on sharing with you. why, you haven’t a clue. you can’t stand him, and he isn’t the fondest of you either.

that’s what you tell yourselves, at least.

“progress report?” peter requests from you. “page three. you?” you grunt back. he props his feet up on the table, arms flexed behind his head. “finishing up page seven. you already knew that, though... creeper.”

god, you can hear the shit-eating grin in his voice.

you glance over at peter, doing your best to ignore how his biceps bulge under his hoodie. nerdy little parker is ripped.

“worry about yours, i’ll worry about mine. thanks.” you reread the sentence you wrote prior to peter’s chiseled body distracting you. “oh, the irony,” he sighs and nudges the edge of your laptop with his sneaker. scowling, you shift the screen away from him.

about a minute of silence goes by until it’s unfortunately filled by peter. he stretches his arms out, finally removing his dirty shoes from the table.

“i’m gonna take five. maybe, you could use it as an opportunity to catch up to me,” peter cockily suggests. “spare me your charity, peter. i’m doing just fine without it,” you retort, letting out a scoff. peter raises his hands in defense. “if you say so, princess.”

here you were, naively thinking peter couldn’t become any more insufferable than he already is.

you slam your laptop shut and jab a finger at his chest. “jesus christ, how many times do i have to ask you not to call me that?” a patronizing pout adorns peter’s lips. “aw, i love it when you get all bossy on me. so cute.”

he grabs your hand still on his chest, pressing a light kiss to the back of it. you’re quick to wipe it off on his hoodie. nevertheless, there’s an undeniable heat rushing to your cheeks.

“well, i hate it when you call me princess,” you deadpan. peter tilts his head to the side. “do you?”

of course not. deep down, you live for the fuzzy feeling you get whenever the nickname slips from his tongue. oh, his tongue and the things it can do. poking out as he focuses hard on a question, running across his pink lips…

you have to reel it in. this is peter parker you’re fantasizing about, your mortal enemy.

“yes. i hate it, and i hate you,” you unsuccessfully convince the both of you. “no, you don’t,” peter rasps, darkened eyes scanning over your features. his stare is intense and intimidating. he grasps your chin between his thumb and index finger, slowly leaning in closer.

he’s not going to stop until you make him. you don’t want to, but you will.

you shove his shoulder, dragging your laptop towards you again. “on second thought, i could use that catch up. you’re not gonna throw me off my game, parker.”

your rejection seems to disappoint peter. his expression matches that of a kicked puppy, brows furrowed and arms crossed over his chest.

“we’ll see,” he murmurs and swings a leg over his chair. “alright, i’m gonna run to the caf. you want anything?”

he’s offering to buy you food now? what’s his angle here?

“i’d say yes, but i’m afraid you’ll poison it somehow,” you half joke. peter hops to his feet. “don’t give me any ideas,” he warns, snatching his backpack off the floor. “i’ll just surprise you.”

although you’re curious what his mystery snack choice for you would be, you can’t accept. you’d be going against your entire dynamic.

would that be so terrible?

absolutely.

you wave him off towards the double doors. “i’m good, peter. really. i’m not that hungry, anyway.” shaking his head, peter throws a backpack strap onto one shoulder. “y/n, your stomach’s been grumbling for the last hour. you gotta eat.”

he’s not wrong. you’re starving, but you’ve been too preoccupied by your essay to break for dinner.

“fine, surprise me,” you concede. peter flashes you a smile, this one void of its usual condescendence. “i’ll be back. try not to miss me too much,” he calls as he walks backwards to the library doors. “i won’t. shoo already,” you dismiss him, a laugh falling from your lips.

peter winks at you, then disappears into the night. you’re left with a serious case of butterflies and a certain freckle faced know-it-all on your mind.

that’s a problem.

you’ve managed to get another page done when peter reappears. he sits back down and slides a bag across the table, you closing your laptop. you dig into it to figure out what he picked for you. you’re not too pleased with his selection, however.

“oh, yummy. vomit in a cup,” you announce as you hold a green smoothie in your hand. peter reaches over and pats your thigh. “it’s good for you. drink up, princess.” you slap him away. “hard pass. i’d rather you have gotten me nothing.”

narrowing his eyes, peter pulls two cookies wrapped in a napkin from his pocket. “i’m guessing you don’t want these either? more for me, then.”

they’re chocolate chip and m&m, your favorite in the cafeteria. they just came out of the oven, so they’re still warm.

“how… how did you know i…” you trail off, peter setting the cookies in front of you. he offers you a lopsided grin. “i know a lot about you, believe it or not. i pay attention.” you surprise yourself by returning his smile. “thank you, peter. how much do i owe you?”

“nah, it’s on me,” peter assures you. “enjoy.” pushing aside your unappealing drink, you seize the cookies instead. “you have to eat, too. let me at least split these with you.” there’s a beat before peter nods. “fair enough.”

that results in you two munching on your cookies while pretending to write your papers. you’re sneaking glances at each other whenever the other isn’t looking, in reality.

once it’s about time for the library to close, you’re on the verge of passing out. peter is concluding his essay until he hears a thump from your side of the table.

he finds you with your cheek smushed against your keyboard and hitting random letters, snores escaping you.

chuckling to himself, peter places a hand on your shoulder. “hey, y/n?” he speaks in a hushed tone. you awake with a gasp, drool pooling at the corners of your mouth. “easy there, princess. it’s only me.” he rubs circles on your back, and it’s oddly comforting.

“keep doing that,” you purr, momentarily forgetting how much you’re supposed to despise peter. he lets his fingers dance across the exposed skin of your lower back. “we should probably head out. it’s kinda late,” peter decides.

you sit up, bones aching and eyes forced open. “not yet. have to beat you first.” you start to delete the gibberish you accidentally typed. peter cups your cheek to turn your head towards him, your movements halting. “this one’s a tie. you did good, y/n/n,” he coos. “finish the rest another day.”

“why’re you being so nice to me?” you nearly whisper. peter uses his thumb to swipe the drool from your lips. “‘cuz i care about you. i might not show it, but i do,” he admits with the hint of a smile. “besides, i need you… for the, uh, the healthy competition.”

laughing softly, you twist his hoodie strings around your fingers and tug. “your intentions are pure as always. sure that’s all you need me for?” peter’s gaze darts to your lips, then your eyes. “we’ll see,” he repeats.

rivalry be damned.

“mm. i care about you too, parker. thanks again for tonight,” you hum. a blush coats peter’s cheeks, even in the dim library lighting. his sweet and innocent side might truly exist. “no problem.” peter links your pinkie with his, the gesture giving you that fuzzy feeling. “i’ll walk you back to your dorm?”

you lean over and kiss his pinkie intertwined in yours.

“lead the way.”

[salemwritesxx]

𝓷𝓸 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓱𝓲𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰.

𝔹 𝔸 𝕂 𝕌 𝔾 𝕆 𝕌   𝕂 𝔸 𝕋 𝕊 𝕌 𝕂 𝕀

     ⇴ male reader [pro-hero]      ⇴ all characters are depicted as [18]+

↳ summary: You are Katsuki’s little secret, since he can’t be open about your relationship. Inevitably, all falls apart eventually when you want to attend the pride parade in Tokyo and you want Bakugou to come with you.

↣ rating: general audiences ↣ warnings: bakugou being insecure about his sexuality, an argument/fight break-up in the beginning but fluffy at the end, coming out, fluff

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“I just don’t understand why you won’t come with me?!”

“You know damn fucking well why!”, Katsuki argued back, his already loud voice reaching it’s peak. You had been fighting for quite some time.

“I just don’t know why the fuck you keep being so… stubborn! UGH!”, you really had to hold yourself back to not punch the next wall, thus you went away from the situation into the living room. Katsuki, however, following you immediately.

“You knew when we started dating that I… I can’t be open about this stuff!”, he screamed again, though became quieter at the end. His stiff shoulders relaxing a little when he sighed.

“Why can’t you understand and fucking respect that??”

“Look!”, you suddenly stood up again, meeting him eye to eye, “I understand, okay?! I know not everyone can be open, but fuck- Katsuki. It’s been almost a year since we started dating??”

You sighed and rubbed over your face before falling back into the couch.

“I just thought this time around I could already openly show my affection towards you.”

Bakugou felt guilty and bad. He knew he wasn’t easy to date. Always being cautious no one would see or notice. Always hiding. Just so no one would find out Bakugou Katsuki was into men. He knew he hurt you.

“I’m sorry, okay? But I can’t…”, he barely mumbled, then also sighed.

“Okay. Fine.”, and Bakugou really thought that’s it when you said that, but…

“And I am sorry but I can’t continue this relationship.”

And it truly was like someone punched him in his face and kicked him in his balls all at the same time.

“Wha- Wai- I- What?”, he stammered, ruby eyes widened.

“You heard me. I’m sorry. But I am done being treated like your dirty little secret.”, you said, and with that, you stood up and walked past him.

 ----

“HEEYY BRO!”, your friend shouted while semi-walking and kind of dancing towards you with two alcoholic drinks in his hand.

The music was loud. The temperature gruesome. But seeing so many people, proud and happy, made you also happy. It was also a nice way to try and forget what happened last week, the inevitable break up with your boyfriend… and you really thought you could give him strength to come out eventually.

“Thanks, Aki.”, you said, more shouted against the music, when he gave you something to drink.

While faking a small smile, you watched as he danced back into the crowd as you just walked on the sidelines, wishing that you could have brought Bakugou with you and just enjoy this moment. How much you yearned to just drink and be cute with your boyfriend during this parade so everyone could see and he wouldn’t care.

But it wasn’t that simple and it wasn’t your responsibility to force him out of the closet. But… it WAS your responsibility to do what was best for yourself and you knew you couldn’t keep on waiting.

.

Bakugou knew he had to do something. He loved you. And he wasn’t willing to give up on you or the relationship you had. Katsuki wanted to be together with you. He also knew very well that he shouldn’t be hiding anymore. He had been scared people wouldn’t want to be saved by him anymore, that his career as a hero would die if he was open about his sexuality, but… you had always been open. And yet, you were, just like him, in the Top Ten of Japan’s Pro-Heroes and there had never been an instance where someone commented on your sexuality negatively.

Maybe, he just lied to himself. People were much more accepting, even praising you for being an idol to young queer kids. But, for him, not wanting people to know you were together was safer than having to break up and explain things, yet… Katsuki was ready to get you back and tell everyone he loved you. No more hiding. No more lies. Just being honest and open and vulnerable.

But for god’s sake getting through this fucking crowd was almost impossible.

“Fucking Jesus, where the hell are you?!”, he growled to himself while hastily looking around. So many people. How did he think he was able to find you in such a big parade?

And it was so damn hot, too. Ugh! Why couldn’t he realize all of these things a few days ago, then he could have easily walked up to your door and talk to you, but no. Then again, Bakugou DID want to prove to you he was ready to change, so there was no better place than during this parade. Though, if he couldn’t find you, everything was in vain.

“KitKat…”

When he heard those words, a jolt went through his body, making Katsuki stand there stiffly for a few seconds, just to slowly turn around in the end. There was only one person who was able to utter this nickname without getting murdered.

You stared at him in disbelief just as much as he stared back at you with wide eyes and in shock. He wasn’t prepared to suddenly be found and not be the one finding you.

“What are you do-“, you wanted to ask, however, were interrupted by Bakugou sprinting towards you and into your arms. And it felt right holding him again – fuck.

“Wait, Kat-“

But before you could say anymore, he had grabbed your neck and pulled you towards him, connecting your lips in the middle of the streets while people were walking past you. Some even cheering and howling while doing so.

It was just a short kiss, before he pulled back to look into your [eye.color] eyes.

“I love you, [Your.name]. And I’m sorry. I know you deserve better, like fuck, look at me. I am trash.”

“You’re hot trash though.”, you teased him with a grin, thankfully making him snort and playfully punch you.

“I will be open. No more hiding. Life’s too fucking short to worry about what others think. Sorry it took so long to understand. Can you forgive me?”

The music was still blasting, the crowd cheering, yet, you heard him perfectly and it really warmed your heart. Thus, with a smile on your lips, you nodded.

“Yeah. Forgiven and Forgotten.”

So, you pulled him closer, your arms wrapped around his smaller frame as your lips collided once more, not caring about anything or anyone other than the man in your arms. And for Bakugou it wasn’t any different. He had never cared about anyone before, about their presumptions about him becoming a villain with his quirk, or him not being suited to be a hero, so why was he so hung up about being gay? Fuck it if anyone knew.

He wasn’t going to hide in any closet ever again.  

And as he grabbed your hand to march alongside you while singing and drinking – Katsuki knew it was the right decision and he would never regret it.

---

The next morning, he found himself hugged against your body while your head was snuggled into his pecs, which elicit a small snort from him. Yeah… waking up like that was something he had missed the last week. As he looked to the side though, Katsuki saw his phone blinking and lighting up wildly – something was going on.

And soon, he found out what had been going on. His agency was calling and he was tagged in way too many Twitter posts, because someone had snapped a photo of him and you yesterday during the pride parade, embraced and kissing. This was now going around the internet. But for once, he didn’t give a fuck about it.

Instead, he fueled the fire when he flopped back into the bed and snapped a photo of himself, flipping them off and with you visibly cuddling him. His caption: Just woke up like this. Happy Pride Month, fuckers!

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@salemwritesxx || do not repost, edit, modify or translate my works

⇻ salem.talks: happy pride month y’all, let’s be loud and proud of who we are 🌈 usually I believe baku wouldn’t give two fucks about what others think about him, but for the sake of this story I might have made him a bit ooc

[ducktoonsfanart]

Huey, Dewey and Louie's birthday and Easter party - Donald Duck, his family and his friends - Happy Easter!

I apologize to everyone for being late, but it is certainly not the end of Easter, which has just begun. I wish a happy Easter to all who celebrate it. Most Christians celebrate Easter on April 17, and Orthodox according to the Julian calendar only on April 24, so we entered Easter week.

Certainly, albeit belatedly, I also wish a birthday to the best triplets, Donald’s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. Although they celebrate April 15, this year Good Friday fell on that day, and that day is partly a sad day due to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and who took away all earthly sins from this world. After three days, Jesus was resurrected and defeated death. And thus begins the celebration of Christian Easter, as a new life. Of course, it is addressed to those who believe. However, since I am a believer, I did not want to celebrate anything until Easter came.

So in this drawing you see Huey, Dewey and Louie celebrating their birthdays who are still preteens. Interestingly, their birthday, like my birthday, coincides with the Easter holidays. So I put it all together. They celebrated their birthday and celebrated Easter. Certainly besides them, Daisy’s nieces, April, May and June, are also celebrating their birthdays. This year will also be a jubilee for Donald's nephews, as this year they are celebrating the 85th anniversary of their first appearance in comics, and later in animation, and for Daisy's nieces, who are celebrating their 70th anniversary since their first appearance in comics. Yes, and Gyro is celebrating the 70th anniversary of his first comic book appearance this year. I also wish everyone a happy anniversary. Yes, Donald and Daisy, as a great couple, hug their children, that is, their nieces and nephews. Yes, the right parents for them.

Not to be outdone, you can see birthday eggs and Easter decorations here, and when it comes to colorful eggs, don't worry, they are mostly chocolate eggs wrapped in colorful ones. In addition to Donald, Daisy, HDL and AMJ, there are also Scrooge McDuck, Grandma Duck (Elvira Coot), Gyro Gearloose and his nephew Newton, Gus Goose, Abner Whitewater Duck, Gladstone Gander and his nephew Shamrock, Fethry Duck and his nephew Dugan, Dickie Duck (Goldie’s granddaughter), Brigitta MacBridge and her niece Loretta, Magica de Spell and her nieces Minima de Spell and Streghella de Spell and finally Scrooge’s butler, Albert Battista Quackmore. I wanted to add more characters like Goldie, Glomgold, Rockerduck and two or three more characters, but I wouldn't care about everything in this drawing. Sorry about this. Also, about the characters that not everyone sees best, I didn't hit a very good scale.

Of course, I drew this character from the Donald Duck comics (Carl Barks, Don Rosa, Romano Scarpa, Topolino, Italian comics and others) as my inspiration, because I enjoy it. I hope you like this drawing and once again I wish everyone a happy Easter!

Buona pasqua!

Frohe Ostern!

Feliz pascua!

Joyeuses Pâques!

Feliz Páscoa!

復活節快樂！

ハッピーイースター！

Hyvää pääsiäistä!

God påske!

Vrolijk Pasen!

Glad påsk!

Wesołych Świąt Wielkanocnych!

Boldog húsvéti ünnepeket!

Veselé Velikonoce!

And definitely happy birthday to Huey, Dewey and Louie!

[officialyourdailyinspiration]

Devotional Hours Within the Bible by J.R. Miller

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry (Matthew 4:12-25)

In Matthew’s gospel, the story of the first months of our Lord’s public ministry is omitted. Several chapters of John’s gospel come in between verses 11 and 12 of Matthew’s fourth chapter. The mission of John the Baptist was to go before Christ and prepare His way. When he had done this, introducing Him to the people John’s work was really ended. But he continued to preach for some months, until he was arrested by Herod and cast into prison. Then it was that Jesus went into Galilee. Why He did this, we are not told. Some suppose it was to avoid John’s fate but this scarcely seems a sufficient reason. Indeed, in Galilee he would be nearer to Herod than in Jerusalem. Is it not more likely that it was just because John was now shut up in prison and his voice silenced, that Jesus went to Galilee? John had spoken of Jesus coming after him, and He came at once and began to speak.

He dwelt in Capernaum. At that time Capernaum was an important city on the Sea of Galilee. Now nobody knows certainly what its site was. It was a city of wonderful privilege. For a long time Jesus made His home there. It was exalted in thus having the Son of God walk on its streets, speak His blessed words to its people, and do His works of mercy and love in its homes of suffering and sorrow. But in spite of all this honor and favor shown to Capernaum, Jesus was rejected there.

Matthew tells us that it was in fulfillment of prophecy that Jesus went to Capernaum. He was needed there. It was a region of moral and spiritual darkness. It is such places that always draw Jesus. Human need in every form, appeals to His compassion. When men travel over the world they usually visit regions in which they will see scenes of beauty, of grandeur, of wonder. But Jesus was in this world to do good, to save the lost, to change wildernesses into gardens of roses and He went where there was the greatest need, the deepest darkness. Churches sometimes move away from sections of cities which have been emptied of prosperous homes and the attractions of fashion. Whatever may be said of the expediency of following the drift of population with our churches we need to beware of abandoning decaying communities, of taking away from the people who remain the blessings of the gospel. Jesus did not go into Galilee as a tourist but as a missionary. He was a teacher come from God to tell the people of the love of God for them. The same words were used of John the Baptist in describing His ministry. Yet there was a great difference in the two men and in their preaching. John spoke sternly and severely. He spoke of the fire, the fan, the ax of the punishment of sin. Jesus came with gentle and winning words.

Yet His first call, like John’s, was to repentance. All men need to repent. We never can reach the gates of heaven, unless we repent. The prodigal son had to rise and leave the far country, and walk back all the painful way to his father’s house before he could be restored to favor and be at home again. That is what every impenitent man must do. The first step in coming to Christ, is repentance .

We must be sure that we know just what this word means. Some people imagine, that if they are sorry for doing wrong, that they have repented. But mere sorrow for a wrong way does not take us out of that way. Tears of penitence will not blot out sin; we must turn about and walk in holy paths. Repentance is ceasing to make blots on the record, and beginning to live a fair, clean, white life.

It was a familiar and homely scene which Jesus saw one day, as He was walking beside the sea. “He saw two brethren casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.” It is interesting to notice the kind of people Jesus sought for His disciples. He did not look for great and famous men. He did not go up to the temple and gather about Him rabbis and priests. He wanted men who were teachable, ready to listen to the truth and believe it, men who could be influenced by Him for good, whom He could train in the ways of His kingdom.

Jesus is always looking for men who will become His disciples. He has a great work in hand, and needs and calls for helpers. He wants those who will believe His message. He does not take prejudiced men, men whose opinions are so obstinately held, that they will not listen to His words nor accept His teachings; he wants teachable men. He does not choose those who are wise in this world’s wisdom, for they might not readily accept the wisdom of God which He teaches. Nor does He seek idlers. He goes among those who are busy in the duty of the day. He found a king for Israel, in a boy who was keeping sheep. He found a prophet to succeed Elijah, in a young man who was plowing in the filed. He found a missionary for India, in a humble shoemaker, busy at his bench, ready for the Divine call, unable ever to say “No” to God. If we would be chosen to take part in Christ’s great work we must seek to be ready for it, with heart warm, mind open to receive truth, and ready for any service to which God may call us.

“Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” First of all, the disciple must go with Christ. This meant, in their case, leaving their business and attaching themselves to His household. It may not mean that to us ordinarily we are to continue in the calling in which we are when we give ourselves to Him. But always it means joining ourselves to Him in heart and life. It means the complete surrendering of the mastership of our lives. No longer are we our own; we belong to Him. We are to go where He bids us to go and do what He bids us to do. We are to think of His interests, not of our own. There can be no serving of Christ, no doing of His work, without first being with Him. “Without Me,” he said, “you can do nothing” (John 15:5). But with Him, we are ready for any service, any duty, any work, and nothing is impossible to us.

First, they were to be with Him, and then He would make them fishers of men. They had been fishers of fish; they were to give up their old calling and take a higher one. The lessons of patience, quiet waiting and persistence, which they had learned in their daily and nightly work on the sea would be of use to them in their new duties. They were to fish in the dark waters of sin for perishing men and save them, take them alive. Christ would teach them their new calling, “I will make you fishers of men.” It was holy service to which He called them, and calls us. He does not want us to follow Him just for the joy of His salvation and the comfort of His friendship He wants us to be His, that we may win others also to be His.

Instantly these fishermen dropped their tackle and their nets, left everything, and went away with their new Master. They were not a moment in deciding. They loved Him, and they were most glad to go with Him. “ At once they left their nets and followed Him.” Sometimes the sneer is heard, “They had little to leave!” True, it was not much in money value. Yet these nets and this fishing business were all they had. It was by these, that they earned their living. Now at the call of their new Master they gave up all, cut themselves off from the means of support, burnt their bridges behind them, and in simple obedience and faith went with Him.

That is what we should do, when we hear the call of Christ. We should obey instantly, without questioning. No matter how great the sacrifice involved, we should make it cheerfully for His sake. Though to obey cuts us off from our ordinary means of livelihood and leaves us without provision even for tomorrow, we should not hesitate. Christ will take care of His servants when they are faithfully doing His will. “ At once” is also an important phrase in the sentence. A great many people are forever postponing duties. When Christ calls, they say, “Yes, tomorrow .” But every call should be answered instantly. Get this “ At once” into all your obedience.

The charge never could be made against Jesus, that He thought only of men’s spiritual needs and neglected their bodily needs. Continually we see Him doing good in common ways and helping people in their common needs. Here He is “teaching,” “preaching,” “ healing .” He did not give good advice, exhort people to be true and honest, and then be indifferent to their sufferings. He fed them when they were hungry, opened the eyes of their blind, cured their sick children, healed their diseases. Always this is the law of Christ’s ministry. He cares for our whole being. Every trouble of ours whatever, whether of body, mind, or soul moves Him with compassion.

It is a great comfort to us to know that our Lord is not indifferent to our diseases, that He would use them for our spiritual benefit, that He is ready to give us the grace we need if we endure them patiently and submissively, and that He will heal us when His wise purpose in our affliction has been accomplished. Jesus is the great Healer He is continually healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. Wherever the Christian missionary goes, the hospital is set up alongside the chapel. In our church work we should think of men’s bodies as well as of their souls if we would wholly fulfill Christ’s mission and purpose.

This picture of Jesus ought also to be a great comfort to all those who are suffering. He is going about everywhere healing. Is He any less strong now, than He was then? Does he love us less now, than He loved the sick people in Galilee? Will He not heal us, too, in the way that is best? In the sick-room of every Christian, Jesus sits, to give cheer. The sufferer may know, as he prays for healing, that his prayer will be heard and answered. Sickness has a mission it sets lessons for us to learn. It is very unfortunate if one who is sick recovers and is not better in heart and life afterward. We should pray that the sickness may fulfill its mission in us and for us, and then that we get well.

“And His fame went throughout all Syria.” No wonder. Such blessed news could not be suppressed. When Jesus healed all the sick people in one town, it could not be otherwise than that the report would fly abroad, reaching other towns. It is not to be wondered at that everyone who had a sick friend, hearing about the great Healer, would then want to bring that friend at once to Him. Thousands of people poured out to find Him who had this marvelous power.

Just so, whenever Jesus saves a sinner the news should go out, and others who have unsaved friends should bring them at once to Him. We who know about Christ’s power to heal and save should go everywhere telling the news that those who are in their sins may be roused up to seek Him as their Savior.

[angeltreasure]

Hello friend, sorry if this is a silly question but could you explain what the Eucharist is and why it is important? I’m in the beginning of my journey and feel so overwhelmed by google. Have a beautiful day 😊💛

I’ve been saving this ask for a while so this is so exciting! I apologize for my lateness. I usually answer right away but we have had trouble with the WiFi setting up. Anyway! Welcome Anon!!! I am so excited for your faith journey!! Welcome. 😊🙏🏻

Don’t worry, this isn’t a silly question at all. No, it’s a very good question! I am a Catholic, so I will be explaining my Christian denomination believes what the Eucharist is. In fact, this is a VERY important topic to learn about. I will give you my answer then give you some quotes and videos. Hope you enjoy.

The Eucharist IS Jesus Christ. You know how traffic lights are different colors? Red for stop, yellow to caution; slow down, and green for go? Well, you must understand if you choose to join the Catholic Church that the Eucharist is not a symbol. Although the appearance is a wafer bread and tastes like one, it is not plain like a traffic signal. When a priest blesses the host at a Catholic mass, the host transforms into the body of Jesus Christ. You will not see Jesus appear in the priest hand when he raises the host up for that blessing, and you will not taste human flesh when you eat of it. The veil between this world we live in and the afterlife block us so the appearance and taste remain as a wafer host but the substance has really changed into the body of Jesus Christ. Eating the bread means Christ becomes a part of us and makes us stronger in faith! ♥️

Here’s what the Bible says about the Eucharist, taken from my favorite New Testament book called Matthew. I will color the specific verse in the story as red to help you understand what we believe. In the story, Jesus and His disciples were preparing to find a place for Passover. There is a lot to unpack since you are very new to the faith, so I will skip right to the verses of what Jesus spoke. [Passover: “Passover is a Jewish holiday that honors the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. Before the ancient Jews fled Egypt, their firstborn children were "passed over" and spared from death, thus dubbing the holiday "Passover."”]

….. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” - Matthew 26:26-29

You see, at this point in time, His disciples did not fully understand the mystery surrounding what was to come. After this night, Jesus was betrayed by Judas (one of His followers) gave His life to die on the cross. In doing so, He saved us from the punishment of all of our sins and opened the gates to Heaven. Back in the past, animals were often given up a sacrifice. Jesus Himself was the perfect sacrificial lamb for slaughter in order to save us from death. This image is the very best that I love that describes the Eucharist Transubstantiation.

I love this one too…

So when you eat the blessed Eucharist and drink the blessed wine done by a Catholic priest, you really do consume the substance that is Jesus’s body, blood, soul, and divinity. Ever hear that phrase, “you are what you eat”? When we consume Jesus, that doesn’t mean we are cannibals, become God, or re-sacrifice Jesus. It means we become a better reflection of Jesus.

Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist because Jesus tells us this is true in the Bible: ““No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” John 6:44-66

Fun facts!!!:

Eucharist: “is a transliteration of the Greek word eucharistia, which is itself a translation of the Hebrew word berekah. All three words have the meaning of thanksgiving, or praise for the wonderful works of God.”

Bethlehem: the city where Jesus was born means “House of Bread”!

Transubstantiation: “the conversion of the substance of the Eucharistic elements into the body and blood of Christ at consecration, only the appearances of bread and wine still remaining.”

I saw a poll that only one third of Catholics really believe in Transubstantiation. If you decide in your journey to become part of the Catholic Church, please do not ever forget the words Jesus spoke about Himself to His people and those who read today. He truly is present as the Eucharist and wine.

Did you know there is evidence that the Eucharist is truly Jesus?! They are called Eucharistic Miracles. There are sooo many stories from around the world of bleeding Eucharists that scientists and such have actually tested in their labs to find real they had human blood down to a specific blood type AND material evidence of finding human heart tissue not healthy and strong but distressed! Blessed Carlo Acutis (a young man that passed away that is currently in the process of sainthood here on Earth) created an amazing website that collected examples of Eucharistic Miracles. (See link below.) This subject itself is just extra icing on the cake but don’t fall down the rabbit hole so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Bishop Barron on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

Explaining the Faith - The Eucharist In Scripture

Explaining the Faith - Eucharistic Miracles: Scientific Proof

The Veil Removed, what really happens during a Catholic Mass

I could give you so much more but this was just so wonderful to be able to teach you. Know that it’s ok to feel overwhelmed. The topic of what the Eucharist really is and why it is so important is so rich in history and traditions. I hope I was able to satisfy your curiosity. If you ever have any more questions about it, I highly recommend reading sections about it in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (revised edition) but more importantly, reach out to a Catholic priest or bishop by calling them, e-mailing, or even dropping by in person. I am not part of the clergy at all, so talking to a Catholic priest or bishop, you will be able to answer any more questions you have to the Eucharist and they will explain it so well. If you are interested in wanting to know more about the Catholic Faith, I strongly suggest asking about the RCIA, free classes offered by your nearest Catholic Church which will allow you to explore what the Catholic Faith is and answer any questions you have. No pressure though, but just know we are here for you. I am so happy you were chosen as well by God! I will pray that you have a wonderful, exciting journey! God bless and you have a wonderful day/night as well.

[spencerreidsmiles]

A Little Clumsy

Written by: spencerreidsmiles

Hello hello, my lovelies! I have once again been absolutely grinding at school (and now work too woohoo) so I have had like zero motivation to write but I finally finished one of my anon requests!

They requested prompts 7, 28, and 42 off the General list on this here prompt list! Those will be bolded throughout the story.  

Short summary - It’s the first day of work at the BAU for the reader but when their clumsiness gets the better of them, Spencer Reid is there to save the day. 

Trigger Warnings - blood (like the whole thing is about blood so if blood is a trigger for you, seriously do not read this one), minor injury, strong language, embarrassment

Word Count - 1386

MASTERLIST // WATTPAD VERSION

Sometimes you were clumsy. Okay, perhaps that was a bit of an understatement. You were more often than not clumsy. So when you began your first day at the BAU walking right into a wall and collapsing onto your ass, thus spilling coffee all over yourself, you weren’t surprised, to say the least. Frustrated, yes, but surprised, no. 

However, that sentiment wasn’t exactly shared by everyone, it appeared. In your dizzy haze, you felt a thud as someone knelt down next to you. 

“Is that blood?” the stranger asked. 

You touched your nose with your fingers, red decorating your fingertips. Whoever was talking to you was right, there was blood. Your white shirt, now a light shade of brown-ish beige, was sticky against your chest. Blood and coffee all over your new clothes on your first day of work? How could it go any better? 

To be honest, you weren’t really concerned about the blood right now. This whole scenario had happened enough times that this was essentially a regular occurrence for you. Instead, you were more concerned about the fact that this was the impression you were going to be making on all your colleagues. What were you supposed to do, just walk into the meeting room absolutely drenched in the last bit of your latte and blood and just act normal and introduce yourself? Yeah, because nothing screamed “qualified special agent” like a klutz banging their head into a literal wall. Surely whoever hired you was regretting their decision now. If you were them, you would. 

You had to save your pride somehow. The least you could do would be to find a bathroom and try to clean yourself up as much as possible before meeting your coworkers. 

But first, you had to deal with whoever had watched you slam your head into the wall. 

“Yes, but that doesn’t matter right now, what does matter is-” you said, sighing. 

“You are literally bleeding,” he stated again. 

You pushed your arms back, propping you up and allowing you the opportunity to take a good look at him. 

Even in your dazed state, you could tell that he was attractive. He was tall, first of all. He towered over you, his brown curls fell over his face as stared at you, clearly concerned. And his eyes. Jesus, his eyes. You could melt into them. 

No. No, stop it. You thought to yourself. This was not the time to be crushing on whoever the hell literally watched you walk into a wall. There were more important things at hand unfortunately. 

“Well thank you, Captain Obvious,” you said bitingly. The pain was beginning to hit you a bit more. You hadn’t thought you’d broken your nose...but the steady swelling was beginning to change your mind. 

“It’s Doctor, actually,” he responded with complete seriousness as he stared even more intently at your nose. 

“Sorry?”

His eyes flickered from your nose, meeting your gaze. 

“It’s Doctor. Doctor Spencer Reid.” 

Shit. You knew that name. Dr. Reid. One of your new coworkers, of course. As if this day couldn’t get any worse. 

“Doctor Obvious then. Wouldn’t want you to lose your credentials.” Dr. Reid didn’t seem to be affected at all by your little joke. You shot him a weak grin, which he did not return. Great. Everything was going great. Clearly. 

“What’s your name again?” he asked. 

“Dr. Reid, are you flirting with me?” you teased. As if anyone could think you look pretty in this mess of brown and red. 

“No! No, of course not. I just want to know so when I submit an injury report, I can have a name to put down.” An injury report? Oh hell no. You were already going to be known as the newbie who walked into a wall and maybe broke their nose, you didn’t need to be known as the newbie who walked into a wall, possibly broke their nose, AND had to have their new coworker fill out an injury report on their first day. 

“Pssh, they don’t need to know. It’s just a little blood and a little bruise. No big deal. I’m completely fine.”

You waved your hand about, swatting him off. It was nothing, just a bad nosebleed basically. A bad nosebleed with a side of a headache that was really starting to ramp up and throb incessantly. Gosh, you really just slammed right into that wall, didn’t you?

Nonetheless, you persisted. You popped up onto your feet as Dr. Reid stood up as well with a horrified look on his face.  

“You hit your head pretty hard, I’m not sure that’s the best idea-” Dr. Reid stammered. 

He was right, again. Standing up this fast was a bit too much, it appeared. Almost immediately, you completely lost all your balance. Your head spun as you fell, of course, right into Dr. Reid’s arms, effectively burying your nose right into his sweater. Apparently the day could get worse.

As you just stayed there, both of you completely frozen in place and completely unaware as to what to do next, you took a deep breath. 

“Okay, so maybe you were right,” you admitted. 

For a second that felt more like a minute at least, it was dead silent. Well, if you hadn’t made a bad impression on Dr. Reid yet, surely this was the final straw. You had calculated an about 100% chance of Dr. Reid running off to tell your boss that they had truly made the worst mistake in hiring you. The ideal first day, really. 

Slowly, Dr. Reid propped you back on your feet. You were still a bit woozy and your nose was throbbing fairly bad, so you clutched onto him for a second to settle yourself down. His arms wrapped around your back, holding you tight.  

It was only after you pulled yourself away that you realized just how much of a mess you had made out of Dr. Reid’s sweater. Right where you had buried your face was now a giant splotch of red from your nose. 

“Shit, I’m sorry,” you apologized. You tried wiping off whatever schmutz you could off his clothes with your own sleeves, but you only smeared it further and further in. God, you were just an absolute mess, weren’t you? Good grief. 

But instead of glaring at you, you saw the kindest eyes crinkling with laughter. Like the sunlight breaking through clouds, you heard Dr. Reid’s laugh ring out loud and clear. The sound itself warmed your heart God, if he was handsome before, then what was he now? Whatever he was, it was safe enough to say, you were absolutely head over-fucking-heels for your savior. 

“I’ll be honest, I was waiting for a reason to get rid of this sweater. So thank you for giving me a reason to.” He glanced down at the splotch before looking back at your worried face. “Don’t feel bad, things like this happen.”

“You’ve had someone run into a wall and bleed onto your shirt before?” you asked with a heavy emphasis on your incredulity. 

His cheeks and ears brightened a light pink shade. “Well not exactly, but we’re all a little clumsy sometimes.”

You checked your watch. Almost nine, aka almost time for you to meet the team and officially start your first day of work. Starting a new job just like this. Wow. You were so screwed. 

Either you had the world’s worst poker face or Dr. Reid was just really good at his job, but immediately after watching you check your watch, his shyness faded away and his voice softened as he spoke.  

“Hey, how about you go home and get cleaned up and I’ll tell the team you’ll be a little late.”

“Are you sure? What if they ask about…” You gestured around vaguely at his shirt. 

He shrugged. “I’ll just tell them you made a strong first impression.”

You let out a relieved laugh. “That’s one way to put it,” you said. “Thank you.”

As you began to walk to the elevator, you thought about Dr. Reid and his kindness and eventually came to the conclusion that perhaps this first day wasn’t as bad as you thought it was. That he was right, everyone was a little clumsy sometimes. And that was okay.

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