Friday, October 04, 2002
THE STEWARDSHIP OF ST. SOPHIA AND HER THREE DAUGHTERS:SS. FAITH, HOPE, AND AGAPE — SEPTEMBER 17
"Your heavenly Lover, Jesus Christ, is eternal health, inexpressible beauty and life eternal. When your bodies are slain by torture, He will clothe you in incorruption and the wounds on your bodies will shine in heaven like the stars."
These words can hardly be considered the sage advice of a mother to her daughters, or are they? These words are exactly what the mother of three daughters said to them prior to their being martyred for Christ.
Living in Rome during the second century was not an easy thing for Christians. They were being tortured for refusing to worship the pagan idols. Sophia was widowed and rearing her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Agape. It is not often that we find a mother who sacrificed herself and her three children in the name of Jesus Christ. We may even think that this story should not be shared with our families and yet, it is a dynamic revelation about a family united in Christ Jesus. The spiritual accomplishments of this family reveal that our Christian Orthodox Faith can exceed every aspect of worldly cares and bring us to the enjoyment of eternal blessings.
Sophia and her three daughters were recognized in the Christian community for their deep devotion and dedication to the worship services. Having joined fellow stewards in the candlelight of the catacombs, the worship experience strengthened Sophia and her lovely daughters during a violent period of Christian persecutions. This was a period when the Roman authorities viewed the Christians as a threat to their society. The Emperor Hadrian ordered his soldiers to gather all the Christians in Rome. Among those arrested were Sophia and her three daughters. No one could have imagined the harm that was to come to the three young girls aged twelve, ten, and nine. As Sophia and the children stood before the magistrate, the mother was challenged to deny Christ or suffer the torturing of her children. Sophia pleaded with the judge to release her children and that she would suffer the decision of the court. The children, as if with one voice, assured their mother that they would remain faithful to the Lord. One by one the girls were tortured before the eyes of their mother. With each sacrifice came greater praise and glory to the Heavenly King. When all three girls lay dead, their mother was dragged to their side where she prayed for the repose of their souls. Released by the Roman authorities, Sophia took her daughters and buried them. She remained by their graveside for three days and nights, and then retired her soul to God to be reunited with her saintly daughters in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Christian martyrdom was a real issue for the early Church. The example of St. Sophia and her three daughters is a genuine act of faith that involved extreme physical and moral sufferings. The gift of faith that St. Sophia instilled in her daughters, Faith, Hope, and Agape commands our respect and remembrance. We may not face such extreme torturing for Christ and His Church, but we must be steadfast in living our faith. We are called to have the same conviction of faith that St. Sophia and her daughters possessed. This conviction should be expressed in good Stewardship by each and every one of us. The gifts that these martyred saints offered were their very lives; the gifts we offer to the Lord will be our Time, Talents, and Treasure!
Wednesday, October 02, 2002
That name thing is so troubling... hum. I'm a bit flustered now.Sonya
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Your first name of Sonya has made you a sociable person who appreciates the beauties of nature and the refinements of life, and is moved by music and the arts. You are very idealistic and romantic within yourself and may have tried to express your beautiful thoughts through poetry or writing. Crudeness and vulgarity are very repulsive to you and you are very particular about little things. You suffer greatly with lack of confidence and self-consciousness. You crave affection and understanding, yet because you can be so easily and deeply hurt, you have learned to keep your true nature hidden; therefore people do not really know you. You always wonder if you are doing the right thing, desiring to express yourself but afraid to. People may consider you haughty and aloof because of your sensitivity and reserved ways. You may find some expression abut it would usually be light conversation, rarely daring to reveal your deeper thoughts or take others into your confidence for fear of criticism or ridicule. You have a very kind and gentle nature, and although you may be in a position in contact with the public, you will still be a lonely and reserved person. Thus, you live much within your own thoughts, often finding your escape in reading, which you love to do.
One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" was his response. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."
--Lewis Carrol
"Alice in Wonderland" was like a teenage "Winne The Pooh". Not on FOR teenagers, but a similar story that is just more mature. Not that the writing was immature in Winnie The pooh, much the opposite... um... I can't explain it. Forget it. I just posted it b/c it reminded me of college.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO COMMENT ON MY COMMENT THINGIES AND STUFF SO I KNOW WHO THE HECK READS THIS BECAUSE MR. OXYMORON DECIDED TO LINK IT AND SO I WANT TO KNOW SO YEAH. AND I FEEL SO IGNORED B/C I DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE THINK AND STUFF. BUT YEAH. WHATEVER. ALL CAPS MESSAGES ARE ANNOYING AREN'T THEY?
I had something I was going to remark on... I really wanted to, but now I can't recall it for the life of me. That's one of the most frustrating things in the world. Oh well. I'll think about it later til drops of blood form on my brow.
Did you know I talk to my cats in french? Heehee... I do. Well, one in particular. Richard, my favorite. I call him "Mon petit chou" or "Mi Amour" (yes, I know that isn't french. but whatever)and try to limit my talk to him in french. Hahaha... I'm so odd. I love it. I'm going to have a bilingual cat. I call Kabu "mon chat grande" at times though because she's so darn fat. She's an english sit-by-the-fire kitty tho. I love my Richard so much... he's so wonderful.
I got three CSU apps today, but I don't want to go to any of the CSUs so it was kindof weird. I should have stayed outside and helped the teacher's union or something. I filled out most of it except which college I wanted it to be for, my race, and my concentration. I didn't know If I wanted to put religious studies or Philosophy and religion. I think I want Philosophy and Religion. I think religious Studies means to train to be a Priest or something, but I don't know so I left it blank.
I refuse to put down my race right now. I'm a little genuinely angry at the fact that they just put "white". I'm a little comforted by the fact that they put "black" on there tho, but it still had a little blurb with it. "white" was just "white". How... um.... irritating, racist even. Stupid affirmative action... Well I'm going to stop with that. I'll get in trouble or something. Maybe I'll talk about how much I hate feminism. stupid feminists...ugh.... now I want to go picket or protest or something.
My ideas for college studies are solidifying, but the actual application process is still pretty amorphic.
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
I've been listening to Alanis Morrisette over and over again. It just isn't working. The song I keep listening to is "Head Over Feet". I really love it. I wish it had much less meaning for me. Or by some twist of fate I was tipped over into "It's all been Done"[Barenaked Ladies] territory. Those are two of the best love songs ever... I had another. But now it's escaped me. Alas, cruel fate is mocking me and has denied me the full tilt of this song. It strikes a definate chord. But I cannot play the overture. How frustrating when your whole heart wants something but somehow it just isn't strong enough yet. There's no head to bolster its case.And on the opposite side. {More literally than you might believe.} I had another song that applied to another person but I don't recall it right now. hum. Therin lies my dificulty.
Every time I see them my heart and soul both jump. Laughing with one is an achievement and a relief. Laughing with another is a guilty pleasure and the best way to spend an afternoon. Being with one is a whirlwind, no matter how long it takes. Being with another is both carefree and yet I feel a little less. Talking with one takes my words like a quickly moving current and I am amazed at their depth and solubility although every so often I feel us hit a snag and the shock of it drives me away after such delicately wonderful conversation, Talking with another is more blunt and yet more impassioned- there is more feeling but sometimes the feeling overwhelms me and I struggle to get out before I drown or am thrust uncomfortably. With one, my outer armor melts away and I must strive to keep myself together- with the other I have tougher skin and less reserves. Both aren't who they seem, they're a little more. I'm "Head over Feet" to both as a distant observer and not more. Ever, I think. Hope almost. I don't have time for this.
Anyway. Yeah. I'm trying my best not to give up. Actually no, I'm not. But I'm trying to do my best. Maybe that counts for something. School has not agreed with me so far this year. I loved Junior year, but this year's studies are much more interesting. Yay! AP Gov is wonderful. And I'm SO happy we're mostly past Diction, syntax, etc. I hate monotony. Not that this year won't have its share. But at least... well... yeah.
I wish I knew what made other people hate their blogs... I know why I don't like some of MY posts, but I'm puzzled by others. I know some reasons a person might have to feel depressed about, though I hesitate to ask. But I wonder if those reasons have affected their own view of what they have written as representing them.
In particular one person who I feel is more of a Conservative at heart with Liberal aspirations, has some unresolved um... not issues... but something akin to that. They aren't problems so much as quirks of manner but I wonder about the facade at times. I never really knew this person although their manner intrigued me. Not until recently. And I have found that this person is just who I thought they were though they aren't what they seem.
I thought that was a pretty apt explaination from a very humble yours truely. Anywho I wish they would be who they are, enjoy being who they aren't, and settle for both. I know this probably isn't THEIR issue at hand. But it's just something they keep making me think about. Their very carriage declares it. haha... ignore me. I wish, but alas no...
"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself."
--Galileo (Another of the great ones. He puts me in mind of Socrates)
Hahahaha.... I just realized that if you scroll down my blog the comment things sort of jump out and pound you. It's just "You mindless Lemmings" over and over again. It's pretty funny.
The weather turned a bit too quickly. I'm reeling a little from the shock of this suddenly cool and true autumn weather. It's putting me to one of three extreames. Yes, three extreames. And sometimes I go thru all three in under five mins! I'm either bouncy and cocky, angry and Apathetic, or thoughtful and depressed. I think it's a little much for a lot of people. hum.
Monday, September 30, 2002
Gracious... How many posts have I writen!?! Wow. I need to calm down. Maybe I'll turn on our fire, spread our comfy red flannel blanket out, and read "The Green Hills Of Africa"."if two people love each other, there can be no happy end to it"
- Ernest Hemingway
Aw. Now that's depressing. And I have faith in him too. Oh well. iono about the whole "better to have loved and lost" idea. The implication that you can fall in love more than once really doesn't sit well with me...
I hope I can find the time and patience today to write on what I wanted to.
As a reminder to me, {Please ignore this}:
Religion
Agape Specifics
Parents
Sisters
Childhood
um... I think there was something else.
Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own (will), is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
- Apostle Paul
[ I guess that counts me out!]
That last quote was me, in the 8-9th grade. I learned there was such a thing as "modern Music" and learned to hate Teeneyboppers. I had a real vendetta against them! gracious, I had some very misplaced passion.
I want to see Tuck Everlasting! It looks cute. And I want the oldest-looking copy one could possibly find and still be able to read it! (I have a beautiful old copy of Gulliver's Travels that is useless b/c I cannot turn the pages without breakage!! Horrors. The ultimate joke on me. Writing, writing everywhere, and nothing I can read!)
Theres nothing terribly wrong with feeling lost, so long as that feeling precedes some plan on your part to actually do something about it. Too often a person grows complacent with their disillusionment, perpetually wearing their "discomfort" like a favorite shirt.
- Jhonen Vasquez, In Loneliness
I wish there weren't so many facades! But then where would that leave me!?
I'm in SUCH A GOOD MOOD!! Can you tell?
If one is not half mad how can one give birth to a dancing star?
- Nietzsche, In Imagination
Awww....
Ah... To sit down with a mug of chai and a nice Hemingway. Or Fitzgerald. I'm in the mood for the Lost generation. And Hemingway is just Hemingway. He's up there with Einstien, Clemmens, and such for clever comments.
Ooohhh... "A Clockwork Orange"!! Now that is one Interesting book. Mine had no glossary(although that sounds odd, it really needed one) so it was like being forced to learn another Language.
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
- Albert Einstein
If only..................
”All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you; the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse, and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was.”
Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961), U.S. author. "Old Newsman Writes: A Letter from Cuba," in Esquire (New York, Dec. 1934; repr. in By-Line Ernest Hemingway, ed. by William White, 1967).
So true... So true. It's nicer than trying to shove meaning into a flat description. Haha. Poor me.
”From things that have happened and from things as they exist and from all things that you know and all those you cannot know, you make something through your invention that is not a representation but a whole new thing truer than anything true and alive, and you make it alive, and if you make it well enough, you give it immortality. That is why you write and for no other reason that you know of. But what about all the reasons that no one knows?”
Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961), U.S. author. Interview in Paris Review (Flushing, N.Y., Spring 1958; repr. in Writers at Work, Second Series, ed. by George Plimpton, 1963).
Wow. Now that really puts me to shame...
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961), U.S. author. Quoted in: A. E. Hotchner, Papa Hemingway, pt. 1, ch. 3 (1966 ed.). The words "a moveable feast" were used—on Hotchner’s recommendation—as the title for Hemingway’s posthumously published Paris memoirs. This quotation appeared as the book’s epigraph.
Hemingway was... Wonderful. He writes the kinds of things a day like this makes me want to read. That sentance really twisted into itself, huh? hum. Yah.
Neils Bohr is my hero! I love him. I can't believe I'm saying that about a physicist! Oh well, there are some really cool Scientists- mostly physicists in fact. But anyways here's a story I love. I wish I had the opportunity(and Smarties) to do something cool like this:
This legend, the truth of which is not necessarily related to its value, concerns a question in a physics degree exam at the University of Copenhagen: "Describe how to determine the height of a skyscraper with a barometer."
One student replied: "Tie a long piece of string to the neck of the barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal the height of the building."
This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was failed immediately.
He appealed on the grounds that his answer was indisputably correct, and the university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case. The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display any noticeable knowledge of physics.
To resolve the problem it was decided to call the student in and allow him six minutes in which to provide a verbal answer which showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles of physics.
For five minutes the student sat in silence, forehead creased in thought. The arbiter reminded him that time was running out, to which the student replied that he had several extremely relevant answers, but couldn't make up his mind which to use.
On being advised to hurry up the student replied as follows:
"Firstly, you could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H = 0.5g x t squared. But bad luck on the barometer.
"Or if the sun is shining you could measure the height of the barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is simple matter of proportional arithmetic to work out the height of the skyscraper.
"But if you wanted to be highly scientific about it, you could tie a short piece of string to the barometer and swing it like a pendulum, first at ground level and then on the roof of the skyscraper. The height is worked out by the difference in the gravitational restoring force T = 2 pi sq root(l / g).
"Or if the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be easier to walk up it and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer lengths, then add them up.
"If you merely wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, of course, you could use the barometer to measure the air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper and on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the height of the building.
"But since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence of mind and apply scientific methods, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door and say to him 'If you would like a nice new barometer, I will give you this one if you tell me the height of this building'."
The student was Niels Bohr, the only Dane to win the Nobel prize for Physics.
