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This is not quite a poem, but I guess it should be read like one.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR TWO VOICES
In the beginning…
– God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1:1)
was the Word…
– He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is the Word of God. (Rev. 19:13)
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell. (Col. 1:19)
He was in the beginning with God;…
Р‘Now, Father, glorify me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.’ (John 17:5)
all things were made through him, and without him was not made anything that was made.
He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…. All things were created through him and for him. (Col. 1:15-16)
In him was life…
РJesus said to Thomas, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’ (John 14:6)
and the life was the light of men.
РAnd God said, ‘Let there be light.’ (Gen. 1:3)
РAgain Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.’ (John 8:12)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Р‘He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12)
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
РBut the angel said, ‘He will be great before the Lord…. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.’ (Luke 1:13, 15)
РAnd Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And everyone marvelled. (Luke 1:63)
РNow John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4)
He came for testimony…
– The voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. (Mark 1:3)
to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light…
Р‘He who is coming after me is mightier than I.’ (Matthew 3:11)
Р‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him…. He must increase, but I must decrease.’ (John 3:28, 30)
but came to bear witness to the light.
РAnd John the Baptist looked at Jesus as he walked, and said ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ (John 1:36)
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.
Р‘For we have seen his star in the East’… When the Magi saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. (Matthew 2:2, 10)
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not.
РJesus said, ‘Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:37-38)
Р‘If the world hates you, know that is has hated me before it hated you.’ (John 15: 18)
He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.
РNathaniel said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ (John 1:46)
Р‘Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?’… And they took offense at him. (Mark 6:3)
– Even his brethren did not believe in him. (John 7:5)
РThe chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ (John 19:15)
But to all who received him…
РSimeon took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace.’ (Luke 2:28-29)
who believed in his name…
РSimon Peter answered him, ‘Lord… we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’ (John 6:68-69)
Р‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ (Matthew 16:16)
РThe Samaritans said to the woman: ‘It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.’ (John 4:42)
he gave power to become children of God;…
– Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. (1 John 5:1)
РSee what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…. Beloved, we are God’s children now. (1 John 3:1-2)
РAnd because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father!’ (Gal. 4:4-6)
Р‘Pray then like this: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…’ (Matthew 6:9)
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh not of the will of man, but of God.
But when the time had fully come… (Gal. 4:4)
– In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. (Luke 2:1-2)
God sent forth his Son… (Gal. 4:4)
РFor while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, thy all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed… (Wisdom 18:14-15a)
born of woman… (Gal. 4:4)
РAnd the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel Gabriel came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you’… And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word.’(Luke 1:27-28, 38)
РAnd her cousin Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women’… (Luke 1:41-42)
РAnd Mary said:…‘Henceforth all generations will call me blessed’ (Luke 1:48)
born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law. (Gal. 4:4-5)
РAnd when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord … and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’ (Luke 2:22-24)
РThe Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God.’ (John 19:7)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…
– And Mary gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger. (Luke 2:7)
Р‘I am the living bread which comes down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ (John 6:51)
– Every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. (1 John 4:2)
– For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily. (Colossians 2:9)
and we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father.
РThe shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15-16
– Going into the house, the Magi saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. (Matthew 2:11)
РAnd Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light…. And a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased…’ (Matthew 17:2, 5)
РSo Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’ (John 19:5)
– And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’ (Mark 15:39)
No one has ever seen God;…
Р‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.’ (John 14:9)
the only Son…
– And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him (Luke 2:33):
Р‘He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…. The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.’ (Luke 1:32, 35)
– You are my son. Today I have begotten you. (Psalm 2:7)
who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.
– In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
РThat which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it… (1 John 1:1-2)
РAnd the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:10-11)
– Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
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Very Merry Christma indeed Fa.Wauck
We are off for “boxing day” dinner hope you all have a good day
Merry Christmas, Father Wauck. Snowy white on this side of the pond in New England.
Thank you for this post, Father.
A happy New Year to all who contribute here. Don’t deny yourself that eggnog.
A happy New Year from me too..
and I most certainly won’t deny myself…. to be truthfull, I have already indulged myself..
Very nice it was too..
I can hardly believe that another year has past… It was a pleasure sharing it with you all,
God bless..
Merry Christmas!
A Blessed New Year to All!
Dianne, sretan Bo?æiƒá to you and your family. Thanks for the greeting card in my language!
Happy and Blessed New Year!
Our family received a very special gift this Christmas. On Christmas Eve, late at night, it was dark, I made my way down the street to our mail box to cheque for the mail. I was preparing for Midnight Mass, but still had 4 hours to go so a walk was in order. Here in my part of Canada we have these community mail boxes where they have the mail for all my neighbours. It can be a nice place to run into the neighbours.
Anyway, in the dark I felt a key, which the post office leaves for parcels, which they put in a bigger box. You take your parcel and return their key in the mail box.
It was dark, but I could make out the German Stamps. Sandra from Germany had sent us a parcel.
What a surprise my children had when I came home with this big box filled with German delights, chocolates, cookies, and stamps. Lot’s of Stamps. My children all collect stamps and that is something people just do not get many of these days. And some Christmas Craft samples for my girls club. And German craft magazines with lots of ideas of crafts for my girls club. Some of my friends and I have been running a girls club for young girls 8-12 years of age for 16 years now. Each week we do a fun activity and talk to the girls about the virtues. One of the moms is German so we should have no trouble using thses great ideas. Sandra also has a club where they make all these wonderful crafts and sell them at their Christmas Bazaar to earn money for running the club.
It was very heart warming to realize someone half way around the world had taken the time to think of us in this special way at Christmas. The children were excited! Hubby was a bit confused wondering how this happened. But it touched us all, and gave us a little glimpse of how Mary and Joseph must have felt receiving their gifts from afar. It was very special.
I was just questioned by a friend the other day on whether you can develop a real friendship online. My friend was saying she felt blogs, and facebook maybe were a waste of time. And she felt they were addictive. I was not certain on how to answer for it can be addictive and I have had to cut myself off this blog and facebook too but in both places I have come across some special people. I have met some wonderful people over the years through the Internet and we have become real friends, where we have met, had lunch, and continued to meet.
I think this Internet is a place where true apostolate can happen, but one does have to be careful of over doing it.
Thank you Sandra, the Michelles, Josip, Helen, ARN, and Father Wauck, for this place to develop international friendships.
Merry Christmas to all, sretan Bo?æiƒá Vesela Nova Godina! or go to my blog for whatever language you speak. If your language is not here, let me know:
http://canadianopusdei.blogspot.com/2007/12/afrikaans-geseende-kerfees-en-n.html
Croatian
Sretan Bo?æiƒá!
Serbian
Hristos se rodi! (or correct version in cirilic letter: –•—Ä–?—Å—Ç–æ—Å —Å–µ —Ä–æ–¥–?!)
Dianne, “Serbo-Croatian” language never existed, and that is an offense for both nations, so next time erase it freely.
Speaking of the wonderful German-Canadian connection, today I had the honor and the pleasure of celebrating a Mass on the 25th wedding anniversary of a couple from Canada (near Toronto). The wife is German and the husband is Canadian… but he is now working in Germany. The wife’s father came down to Rome from Germany too – plus their two sons from Canada. I had never met this family before – they are friends of friends – but more delightful people it would be hard to imagine.
Happy Feast of the Holy Family tomorrow.
Dianne-That’s a lovely story and I’m glad you and the girls got so much out of Sandra’s gift. People on this blog are very generous in their rapport and camaraderie as well. As for blogs’ addictive quality…it’s true but such a pleasure especially stuck indoors on a bad day tied to housework. Being Momma Bear sometimes gets old. (Must take time-outs from computer).
=“Serbo-Croatian” language never existed=
Emily, my Croatian neighbor says they are alike except for accent and some words. She was born in Istria so maybe the Croatian spken there is closer to Serbian? She’s also illiterate in Croatian FWIW. I was at her house yesterday to pick up lotsa leftover Christmas goodies for the kids. Of course, they never survive more than a day here with a houseful of teenagers and twenty-somethings.
Thanks Josip for the correction. It is done.
Dianne, thanks a lot! There was some misunderstandings between us, but you are an excellent person (and me too), so between us correct and friendly relationship can exist.
ARN, of course that “she‚Äôs also illiterate in Croatian FWIW”, because she is *not Croatian* (I said it to you before) nor aboriginal “Istrian”. Aboriginals in Istria are only Croatians and Italians.
Real “Istrian” dialect(s) has nothing with Serbian language and is not understandable to Serbians. Even the greatest Serbian nationalists say that “Istrians” and Istria are part of Croatian people and territory.
Your neighbors live in illusions which will never be true – that Istria will be communist and Yugoslav again. That times passed for ever.
Josip, I think that this is just an example of the differences between many of the Croatians here versus Croatians in Europe. In the United States, there are many, what I would call, “cultural” Croatians. That is, they follow some of the ways that were handed down from those who came from “the old country,” e.g., making certain foods around holidays, perhaps a slight fondness when they hear tamburitza music (or a reference to Duquesne University), a sense of nostalgia when they get the chance to use one of the more popular Croatian dirty words they learned; maybe even a healthy distrust for people named Jovan, itd. I suspect this is the same with nationalities, as well. I’m third-generation American born but 100% Croatian, so I’m only guessing on the others.
Knowing how to be conversant in a language is a far cry altogether from being able to compare that language to yet another language that you don’t know at all. While I don’t know ARN’s neighbor, it seems pretty clear that she doesn’t understand the first thing about the Croatian language, except to be able to speak itРprobably even less about Serbian language.
If a Croatian in Europe had said the same thing as Emily, I would immediately conclude that she adheres to some “position,” i.e., Y*goslavian or Serbo-Croatian ideology. However, since ARN says that she’s illiterate in Croatian and she lives in the U.S., I’d be willing to be bet she just heard since she was little that the two languages are the same, just different accents. I’ve met enough “cultural” Croatians (and Croatians from Croatia) to spot this difference pretty easily.
Obviously, what you say is 100% correct (not that you need me to tell you that, I realize). Croatian and Serbian are not the same language. The fact that they share some words or understand each other hardly makes them the same.
Tony
I hope everyone is still enjoying their Christmas!
Josip, in the spirit of Michele’s wonderful Bruce Cockburn Joy to the World, I found this clip. I hope you enjoy it. With the possible exception of Bruce Springsteen‚Äôs Santa Claus is Comin‚Äô to Town, I can‚Äôt imagine a whole non-religious crowd singing a Christmas song altogether‚Äî certainly not a holy hymn such as this.
From our home to yours, Sretan Bo?æiƒá: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vmp7gkrabj0.
Tony
RADUJTE SE NARODI
Radujte se narodi, kad čujete glas,
da se Isus porodi u bla?æeni ƒças.
Svaki narod čuj, čuj,
i Betlemu pristupljuj, pristupljuj.
Vidi Bo?æje otajstvo u podrtoj ?°talici
I tko trpi ubo?°tvo na toj tvrdoj slamici.
To otajstvo čuj, čuj,
i k jaslicam pristupljuj! Pristupljuj!
Raduje se Marija s Josipom gledeći
Anƒëeo pjeva “Gloria” po zraku leteƒái
I ti, svijete čitavi,
Spasitelja pozdravi! Pozdravi!
I forgot to tell you: I have no idea who is Goran Vi?°njiƒá’s best friend so I’m still in the dark on your riddle about your mother’s surname. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that you probably won’t tell me unless I give up tripe…and we both know that’s not going to happen.
But here’s one for you: what are my parents’ first names. Hint which will give it totally away: keep in mind what day (my time) that I’m asking this question. No googling for help and no gluwein– gelee form or otherwise!!
Tony
“It also transpired that Vi?°njiƒá had rejected several proposals for the name of his E(mergency) R(oom) character, including a Serb-sounding name, Jovan Jovanoviƒá. He was finally allowed to pick his own name, and went for a combination of his brother’s son’s name, Luka, and the surname of his childhood friend and best man, Lucijan Kovaƒç.”
Tony, a very Merry Christmas and blessed New Year to yours from my family!
Happy New Year Australia!!!
I am just watching the firework display..(TV). It is truely “fantastic”….
Thank you, Josip. You’re very kind to me.
But wait a second!!! I actually mentioned in my message yesterday about “a healthy distrust for people named Jovan.” Maybe I was on to something.
They should have offered him Hrvoje as an option for his character…but not with Jovanović.
I‚Äôm now thinking that your initial hint (‚ÄúSpeaking about the ‚ÄúDalmatians‚Äù, that you know what is my mother surname, you would got a heart attack.‚Äù) was a reference to the song ‚ÄúDalmacija u mom oku‚Äù (‚ÄúDalmatia in My Eye‚Äù) by Mi?°o Kovaƒç, together with the ‚Äúheart attack‚Äù/Vi?°njiƒá connection??
Is Mi?°o Kovaƒç still popular? That man has had more hurt and confusion in his life than one person should have.
Now, my question from yesterday: my mom and dad’s first names? Another hint: with parents’ names like these, one would expect something better out of their children than what they’ve gotten so far.
“because she is *not Croatian* (I said it to you before) nor aboriginal ‚ÄúIstrian‚Äù. Aboriginals in Istria are only Croatians and Italians.”
Woo hoo, I’m gonna tell! She is 100% Croatian, but perhaps as a result of coming here at 11y.o. (sent to her aunt here by her mom to raise due to poverty-very sad) is no longer picking up the nuances between the languages. Plus her disgust with the goings-on in old Yugoslavia 10-15 years ago inclines her to ingore differences. Still, she goes back to Istria often enough and says she understands the Serbians. She was just over here a few minutes ago to donate more Christmas yummies to my kids–I should have thought to ask here more closely.
FWIW her husband arrived here in his 20′s knowing Italian which was force-fed to them in pre-Tito-era schools. They are both around 70 and have lived next door for 55 years. One of the few old-timers left in the nabe and the mayors of our street by default. There are lots of Croatians here in this part of NYC as well as Serbs-one is a good friend of Whiz Kid. Russians as well.
My last comment for this year..
I hope everyone arrives into 2008 in good *spirits* and enjoys themselves accordingly..
If anyone is interested Michelle (M) has left a very good (actually 2) link which I found interesting..
once again Michelle,—- “thankyou”..
Now off to prepare for the *festivities*..
Hi ARN. What “goings-on in old Yugoslavia 10-15 years ago” or so disgusted her?
I should have added one thing to my earlier message. Regardless of what we’re speaking about, it’s very kind either way of Emily to give the “yummies” out to your family.
I know a man who was born on the same island as Marco Polo. Growing up, they spoke Croatian and Italian on the island. He wasn’t very educated before the war. He then emigrated to the States after WW II and settled in my hometown and Croatian parish. As with most people, his English was always broken and his grammar was poor. Another Croatian who grew up in a purely Croatian-speaking area, made a pretty clever joke: He said that Marko ‚Äúis the only person I know who is illiterate in THREE languages!‚Äù
Just thought of this story and thought I’d share.
I’m gonna say Happy New Year right now (3:49 pm Eastern time) since I don’t think I’ll make it to midnight– think my husband and I will try to catch an early movie (Juno) and drink an early toast– in which I will raise my glass to you all!
God Bless, and wishing you all and your families, and you Father, every good thing for 2008. Thanks to evryone for the company in my kitchen in 2007.
Happy New Year to you all! I won’t make it to midnight probably either. I am going with my friend to the hospital tomorrow who is having her 8th baby, unless he makes it into the world tonight. He will be our newest Godchild and his name is Joseph Emmanuel. One of my favourite hobbies is midwifery. So it will be a great way to start off the New Year.
Happy New Year, you two wonderful Canadians! And I wish Joseph Emmanuel and his family all of God’s choicest blessings.
When Joseph’s old enough, please let him know that the first stranger to greet him into the world was a Croatian from Lackawanna, NY living in Minnesota…who read about him on this blog! I’d like to think maybe he’ll come across this message someday and say a prayer for all of us, as we’re praying for him now.
Thanks Tony. Keep them in your prayers. Mom is a bit stressed as she is 44 years old. I have had many friends older than her have babies but it is a lot of work no matter how old we are. Moms go through a lot for us.
Just like Our Mother, who we celebrate today(for you who are already in the New Year) who goes through so much for us. I am still in 2007 for another hour and half but I have already been to the vigil mass of Our Lady Mother of God. So a toast to Our Mother and all mothers for all they do for us!
First comment in new year…
ARN…. Nice one!!
I persononally am quite “fed up” with “Nationalismus”
Which is in my opinion quite contrary to Christian Idiology.. and not at all in line with the teachings of Christ..
To whom ALL men are EQUAL..no matter which nationality,nor which ever language they speak…
as He can understand us all in any language,and from any country..
This is the message given to us on Christmas day..
“peace to ALL men of good will” I do not recall reading “but only those who speak perfect..????”
So enough of the quiblings, as to what is or is not “the” right pronounciation of which “dialect”, language, in the “old country” or the “new”, we are able to understand each other… if we want to.. with all the “typos” misspellings,orthographische *inkorrektheiten*… how much easier must it be for Christ??
A new year, a new resolution.. let us try to keep this blog “understandable” for all who participate on a regular basis.. I have been advised (and others have too) that there are *other* blogs for “private communicaion” I recomend that the *advisor* take his /her/ own advice to heart..
I leave you with this link which is VERY long but with a little “indulgence” you may find a few “insights” to the “origin” of the *Serbo-Croat* (non) language..
http://govori.tripod.com/nationalism.htm
Oh, Sandra, I appreciate you taking the time to investigate this so thoroughly. And so quickly!!! You did such a fast job that your first post of 2008 actually arrived in time for me to read it before I celebrated New Years here.
I don’t think you got the gist of what was being said in the earlier posts between Josip, ARN, and me.
“So enough of the quiblings, as to what is or is not “the” right pronounciation of which “dialect”, language, in the “old country” or the “new”, we are able to understand each other… if we want to.. with all the “typos” misspellings,orthographische *inkorrektheiten*”
1. None of us were discussing the right pronunciation of anything. 2. The topic being discussed had zero to do with understanding each other. 3. No one mentioned typos, misspellings, etc.
It sounds like you’re repeating back my phrase “old country” as evidence of the nationalism you are “fed up” with. Does the phrase “old country” mean something different in Europe than it means here in the States?
I am sorry if I offended your sensibilities here but that‚Äôs a very bland expression where I come from, so I really didn‚Äôt think it would merit mention in a response. Please explain if it‚Äôs different where you come from. I don’t want to make that same mistake again.
Thanks also for taking the time to track down an article on whether Croatian and Serbian are different languages or not. Surprisingly, it’s contrary to the view taken by the two Croatians who frequent this blog. (I may be wrong but I don’t believe anyone on the blog has to date claimed to be Serbian.)
If you‚Äôd like, I‚Äôd be willing to send you a few articles on the subject, too. I can email them to you outside the blog if you wish. I didn’t know you shared an interest in this subject but now I see you do!
Josip can correct me if I’m off on this. I don’t believe the words srpsko-hrvatski (Serbo-Croatian) nor Jugoslavia (Yugoslavia) were EVER uttered prior to the 18th Century. One must wonder how the “Serbo-Croatian language” could have been around for so long when the term itself was not.
Happy New Years to everyone! (Oh, January in Croatian is siječanj, januar in Serbian.)
Sandra, you are an “expert” in everything, so it is not a surprise that you are an “expert” in Croatian AND Serbian language, as well as in history. It would need hours of writing to explain something to you, but it is not necessary for someone who is BORN to be an EXPERT. Well, I am not BORN to be an expert in anything, for example, in German (I was learning German in school), nor in English (as everyone can read). But my Croatian is (almost) perfection (never enough to learn!).
Sandra, my mother was NOT the teacher of “Serbo-Croatian” (srpsko-hrvatski), but of “Croatian AND Serbian” (hrvatski ili srpski). Inventions of ***COMMUNISTS*** were really very original.
By the way, that you do not think that Communists are guilty for everything. Before 1918. Croatia was part of *Austrian-Hungarian monarchy*, and after the fall, she became part of *Kingdom of Serbians, Croatians and Slovenians* under the free will of some Croatian politicians and other “influences from abroad politics”. In 1929. Serbian king Aleksandar abrogated it, and with, so called, January *DICTATURE* change the state law and the name in Kingdom of Yugoslavia. That continues with communist¬¥s DICTATURE…
Here is the last interview of To?°e Proeski in his MACEDONIAN language for Macedonian TV with the TRANSLATION in Croatian. Similarities???????????????????????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQQ7HK4M4Qs&feature=related
By the way, Serbian king Aleksandar was assassinated by an MACEDONIAN in France. Why, Sandra?
Tony, Mi?°o¬¥s is not his real name, but Mate. Yes, we understand each other in everything, so you understand why I was “preserving your heart health”.
Mate is still very popular. His life “finished” after the death of his only son.
“Bilo je i vrijeme kao galeb mira
sad Hrvatska moja trpi, stenje, plače
svaka topla suza srce moje dira
?°to je vi?°e lome, to je volim jaƒçe.”
Wow this conversation is way out of my league. I am going to try and change the subject, though it usually does not work.
My friend has not had the baby yet. I am at home now as mommy and daddy are both working on getting this baby out and I am just not needed. It is a great day to have a baby for there are lots of people around to help out so they are doing well without me and I can get my stuff done here. Oh well I am 5 minutes to the hospital so I’ll go over and see him when they are ready!
How about something on our Lady since today is her day? She understands all languages and all hearts! She knows we are all of good heart here, all trying to do our best from our little corner of the world. Here is an extract of Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Letter on Christian Hope, on our lady:
With a hymn composed in the eighth or ninth century, thus for over a thousand years, the Church has greeted Mary, the Mother of God, as “Star of the Sea”: Ave maris stella. Human life is a journey. Towards what destination? How do we find the way? Life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history. But to reach him we also need lights close by—people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way. Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us? With her “yes” she opened the door of our world to God himself; she became the living Ark of the Covenant, in whom God took flesh, became one of us, and pitched his tent among us (cf. Jn 1:14).
So we cry to her: Holy Mary, you belonged to the humble and great souls of Israel who, like Simeon, were ‚Äúlooking for the consolation of Israel‚Äù (Lk 2:25) and hoping, like Anna, ‚Äúfor the redemption of Jerusalem‚Äù (Lk 2:38). Your life was thoroughly imbued with the sacred scriptures of Israel which spoke of hope, of the promise made to Abraham and his descendants (cf. Lk 1:55). In this way we can appreciate the holy fear that overcame you when the angel of the Lord appeared to you and told you that you would give birth to the One who was the hope of Israel, the One awaited by the world. Through you, through your ‚Äúyes‚Äù, the hope of the ages became reality, entering this world and its history. You bowed low before the greatness of this task and gave your consent: ‚ÄúBehold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word‚Äù (Lk 1:38). When you hastened with holy joy across the mountains of Judea to see your cousin Elizabeth, you became the image of the Church to come, which carries the hope of the world in her womb across the mountains of history. But alongside the joy which, with your Magnificat, you proclaimed in word and song for all the centuries to hear, you also knew the dark sayings of the prophets about the suffering of the servant of God in this world. Shining over his birth in the stable at Bethlehem, there were angels in splendour who brought the good news to the shepherds, but at the same time the lowliness of God in this world was all too palpable. The old man Simeon spoke to you of the sword which would pierce your soul (cf. Lk 2:35), of the sign of contradiction that your Son would be in this world. Then, when Jesus began his public ministry, you had to step aside, so that a new family could grow, the family which it was his mission to establish and which would be made up of those who heard his word and kept it (cf. Lk 11:27f). Notwithstanding the great joy that marked the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, in the synagogue of Nazareth you must already have experienced the truth of the saying about the ‚Äúsign of contradiction‚Äù (cf. Lk 4:28ff). In this way you saw the growing power of hostility and rejection which built up around Jesus until the hour of the Cross, when you had to look upon the Saviour of the world, the heir of David, the Son of God dying like a failure, exposed to mockery, between criminals. Then you received the word of Jesus: ‚ÄúWoman, behold, your Son!‚Äù (Jn 19:26). From the Cross you received a new mission. From the Cross you became a mother in a new way: the mother of all those who believe in your Son Jesus and wish to follow him. The sword of sorrow pierced your heart. Did hope die? Did the world remain definitively without light, and life without purpose? At that moment, deep down, you probably listened again to the word spoken by the angel in answer to your fear at the time of the Annunciation: ‚ÄúDo not be afraid, Mary!‚Äù (Lk 1:30). How many times had the Lord, your Son, said the same thing to his disciples: do not be afraid! In your heart, you heard this word again during the night of Golgotha. Before the hour of his betrayal he had said to his disciples: ‚ÄúBe of good cheer, I have overcome the world‚Äù (Jn 16:33). ‚ÄúLet not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid‚Äù (Jn 14:27). ‚ÄúDo not be afraid, Mary!‚Äù In that hour at Nazareth the angel had also said to you: ‚ÄúOf his kingdom there will be no end‚Äù (Lk 1:33). Could it have ended before it began? No, at the foot of the Cross, on the strength of Jesus’s own word, you became the mother of believers. In this faith, which even in the darkness of Holy Saturday bore the certitude of hope, you made your way towards Easter morning. The joy of the Resurrection touched your heart and united you in a new way to the disciples, destined to become the family of Jesus through faith. In this way you were in the midst of the community of believers, who in the days following the Ascension prayed with one voice for the gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14) and then received that gift on the day of Pentecost. The ‚ÄúKingdom‚Äù of Jesus was not as might have been imagined. It began in that hour, and of this ‚ÄúKingdom‚Äù there will be no end. Thus you remain in the midst of the disciples as their Mother, as the Mother of hope. Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you. Show us the way to his Kingdom! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!
(Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 30 November, the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle, in the year 2007, the third of my Pontificate)
Anybody doing anything special for Our Lady today? How do you celebrate her in your country? What little things do you do in your households to help your children get to know her and love her.
I bake fancy desserts in honour of her to help my children recognize how “Sweet” she is, dulcissima Virgo Maria. We say the Rosary of course! And I play antiphons to our Lady on the DVD player on her special days and Saturdays.
What do you do?
My Godson did get here! All 8 lbs 6 oz of him! Mom and baby and daddy are doing well.
Another contrib. along the “Merry Christmas in Two Voices” theme: Madeleine L’Engle’s “The Glorious Impossible” with the Christmas story re-told by L’Engle alongside paintings by Giotto.
Merry Christmas & Happy 2008 to all on the blog.
This is what we do at home: Our neighbour’s rose bush has ventured into our backyard. Whenever there are roses, my five year old son and I cut a few of the flowers and he then brings it into the house, placing it on the statues and images of our lady throughout the house. Also, he received a present from his grandma, a statue of Our Lady of Belgium and he kisses it everynight before he goes to sleep. He also asks us to kiss the statue.
First of all again I wis all a very happy and healthy new year..
Tony I have read your omment with much iterest and I am afraid I have jus had time to read mot of it my husband ad I were away for a few days and today I mut star work again I would if I may respond to your pot later this evening..
Dianne,well I am so pleased all went wellalso that all three are doing so good… Quite a sze your godson..wow!! give our regards…I think he is the first baby to be orn on this blog… all the best to him and family for the coming years..
bye for now..
PS.sorry I almost forgot dc.Michelle, big HALLO to you too, also to philip nice to hear from you both.. again..
That would be great, Sandra, I think! Take your time.
Tony
Well back from first day at school …
We only have 13children to care for untill the hollidays are over (monday next),
so lots of time for games and fun..
I would first of all like to appologise for my very bad typing.. (last comment) there is a reason
for it being worse than usual
I have arthritis in all finger joints and this weather does not help at all..
I do not allways have the fine *feeling* in my fingers and I am much too impatient
to take your,( Tony) very well ment advice of, “rough writing” into wordpad, and then
coppying it onto the blog.. (impatience with myself)..
You asked me Tony,if there was a difference in the attitude concerning;
“the old country” well actually there is,it is very complicated,and VERY
*nationalistic* .. Germany has quite an “infamous” reputation where that is
concerned,as you are (prob.) well aware.
(Please note that, the *titles* I give here,are most certainlly not my own)..
We have since the “fall of the Wall”, and before, very many *Rusland-Deutsche*
(or other way round Deutsch-Russen,a most terrible / demeaning term to use in my opinion).
living in Germany.
Then,we also have the Polish *invasion*,the *Yugoslav* asylum seekers,
the *Persians* (who came here after the *Islamic revolution*, the Kurds (Turkish)
And finally due to the “Baltic war” Croatians,Serbs,Albanians (both Christian
and Muslime)
Now having stated all this, one must remember that, BEFORE all the; *trouble*
in *former Yugoslavia*, the break up of the Communist run Countries,
ALL of these people who, lived and worked here in Germany, were actually
quite good friends..They had businesses,Restaurants,Cafes. Croats,Serbs,
Macedonians inter-married,ran businesses together..Suddenly all that changed,
The Croats were not “friends” with the Serbs,nor were either friends with the
Bosnians,the Albanians,Bosnien-Herzegovina was no loger a *part* of
Yugoslavia
In fact there was no Yugoslavia,nor Yugoslavs…. where before we had a
“friendly Yugoslav” on the cornner, where we would go for a meal…
it was no longer a “Jugoslavische Spezialit?§ten Restaurant”
The people were “hostile” to one another,if we by mistake ordered “the Jugoslav
*Spezialplatte* for two” (which was one of our favourites) we were told
“that is no longer on our men??”…
Yes WE are “quite fed up” with all the quareling…
Bringing the “old Country” prejudices into the “new Country”,
bringing strife and hatred,where before there was friendship.
To be fair,it is the same with the “Russland-Deutsche”, who resent the *other*
Rusians who, in their view were never *deutsch*..
and then there are the same *troubles*, between the Poles who had been here
for *ages* (hard working people), who are looked down apon by the *new*
German-Poles. Not to forget the *absolute HATERED* of the former DDR.
(Deutsche Demokratische Republic) citizens..for every-one and every-body,
who does not happen to be “true German” born and bred…
… It is just a confusing, and may I say, tiring situation …….for all concerned.
When my husband and I still had the Restaurant we had lots of *exil* Bosnians,
Albanians both Christian and Muslime,we also had a waitress from Croatia..
all got on very well,
Untill, *the war*, suddenly they did not want work the same shift …
you see the war in *former* Yugoslavia also disrupted our lives…
(not nearly as bad as their’s of course)
We helped 2 families to emmigrate to Australia,(we still recieve Charistma cards)
also one family to return to their home in Bosnien-Herzegovina..
They visit us occasionally with their Daughter who was born here..
For myself (and my Children) the fact that I am not *pure* German was always
*mentioned* in all areas of our lives,now I am married to an Italian.
There are so many *nationalities* in my family, but we prefere to ignore this fact…
because we are ..ONE FAMILY..
we respect the cultural differences and in fact would not like to miss them,
they are in truth, the spice of life… but NOT the important thing in our life..
This New Years Eve we went to a German Restaurant for a meal,with Italian friends,
later we “saw the New Year in” at our house, with neighbours,Polish,German,
Italian,English (acctually Scot) also a couple from Sardenia…
Multi Coultural the way I like it.. Gods love knows no *Boundaries*
neither should ours.. WE are all ONE family…
By the way I do not, nor would I, even think for one moment that I was an “expert”
on Croatian / Balkan Languages …. nor have I any desire to be…
it is hard enough for me to keep up with my, *multi culti* family
Swede,Italian Scot,Maltese,German,Irish…
that keeps me quite on my toes, although I appriecate you kind offer.. maybe
when I retire completely, in shall we say ?????? years
Now before all gasp and say “oh but I am *proud* of my family *roots*” …..
Well so am I,a healthy ‘nostalgic’ clinging to the origins, is always good,
but we should always try to be moderate,and considerate to other Races,Religions
Genders…
And above all, see past the things that, “divide” us,instead,we should look for those
that unite us..
One last thing,I did get “the jist” of your comments.
I do not think it wise nor *nice*to asume that a person I know absolutelyl nothing about,
“live in illusions which will never be true –
that Istria will be communist and Yugoslav again”
Why would she have such thoughts (illusions)???
This kind of *comment* inflames the strife I spoke of earlier…
So very unduely hurtfull (at the least). IMHO.
Sorry for the long comment,I hope that I have been able to relate to you the
reasons for my “sensibilities” I can asure you * I *, am not offended.
It would be ARN’s neighbour who could possibley take *offence*..
Now, I will make a very nice, *Italian meal*, for my italian husband… Yummy!!
bye for now..
I don¬¥t have a problem with my “identification card”. I was born of Croatian parents (with “one drop” of Hungarian blood; Kovaƒç = Kovacs), also I was “born” as a Catholic, but the Catholic faith is my free choice.
The UGLY name Yugoslavia is “fruit” of 6th January *DICTATURE* of Serbian king Aleksandar, but really it is an another name for hegemony and aspirations of Serbians for the *territory* of another nations. All other nations run away from Serbia. It was not only relationship between Croatians and Serbians, but between Serbians and the other nations. Here is the video with explanation in English: “This is not Serbia”, said by Montenegrians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwWazNAm1s
Sandra, you was not living in the *Hell* called Yugoslavia. You were watching WAR on TV in Germany, so please, liberate all VICTIMS of former “country” from your (lying) “tears”.
Josip please tell me how you *isolate* that “one drop of Hungarian blood” ?
It must be quite lonely….among all the *99.99% Croatian*
What ever you say to me can in no way reach me Josip. .. you only make me laugh..
You are really quite entertaining.. in a sad sort of way
Apart from the fact that I care not if you read my comments or not… it would be of help
if you (obviously) do, to read them with more care.. It has slipped your notice (or as always you mis-read them) that I mention all of the *former Yugoslav* States that you do..
Whether the name *Yugoslavia* was ‚Äúfruit‚Äù of 6th January *DICTATURE* or not,It is the name that ALL the world used,and also the population… It is no longer, fine, but as much as you would desire it not to be,it is a part of your history.. as the 3rd.Rei*h is a part of Germany’s.. not even you can change that..
But nice to see you in your usual mode of commenting… have a nice evening..
My first and last comment to you this year…. you will be happy to know.
“My first and last comment to you this year‚Ķ. you will be happy to know.”
Tears of sorrow are rolling down on my face. Your comments are sunshine of my life, everything what I need. And your repeatings thousands time… oh, that¬¥s the feeling. I liked the story about Cannon Monk and Father (no name) McBride… What will happen in the next episode… Please, don¬¥t do this to me!!!!!!!!!
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! How nice to hear Dianne is a godmother of Joseph Emmanuel, such a wonderful blessing.
Welcome, Joseph Emmanuel! Congratulations to the parents and family (and godparents, of course).
Sandra, I‚Äôm sure the arthritis has to be rough. Although I‚Äôm a few years younger than you, I played soccer at a decent level for several years carrying too much weight for my knees and lower back to handle. Doesn‚Äôt hurt to type but I ‚Äúhang‚Äù with 4 spry kids all 6 yrs old and under (double ouch!), so…let‚Äôs just say ‚ÄúI feel your pain.‚Äù I will keep you and your hands in my prayers ‚Äî in a special way, when I‚Äôm playing ‚Äúall things Playmobil‚Äù all weekend this weekend with the kids. (By the way, I think there are actually people in this house who think that the existence of Playmobil is PROOF that God is German. THAT WAS A JOKE, EVERYONE! PLEASE!!)
I think we can all forgive any problems there may have been with the typing, especially given the circumstances. I realize you must have been anxious to respond to our comments but, given the pain in your fingers, I wish you had just let us know you read the messages but will respond when your fingers are working better, etc.
Although I am quite confident that you are mistaken about some of your points in your last couple of posts (as I’m sure you think I may be wrong as well), I think we can agree on this: what we are discussing is certainly not time-sensitive. All this can wait until the weather warms and your joints are up to snuff again.
In other words, the resulting turmoil caused by some global geopolitical flashpoints have already caused you to suffer the loss of your much beloved “Jugoslav Spezialplatte for two” (one of your favorites!). Let’s not compound this misery by writing about the problem with your sore hands.
We can pick up on our topic another time. Let me know when you’re up to it, or I’ll just know from your posts.
Tony
Tony, this is a blog of a Catholic priest, and we are not here to write/explain under “Her” COMMAND about the “global geopolitical flashpoints”.
It will be good to keep Diane´s advise, and start to talk about the Catholic faith.
Well Tony,
I see you are quite amused by my reference to “Jugoslav Spezialit?§ten”
I had hoped that,you would realise the, “stupidity / pettyness” of the story.
Glad that I was right ………………
on that one….at least..You did though I hope, *understand* my point?..
I did watch the atrocities during the “Balkan war” on TV.
As did many of the;Crotat,Serb,Bosnian,Albanian exils,(asylum seekers),and I must admit
I found it astonishing, that they although,very emotional about the “wrong” done to their
countrymen,were quite willing to watch “on TV” from the “comfort” of our country,
what was going on in theirs..
And don’t get me wrong here,I do not speak of Family fathers,I mean very able
young unattached males.. So I do,in a way,resent the reference to MY just
“watching on TV.. and not living in the Hell”.
But believe me (or not)…………..
I did shed many a tear (lying??) but as I suppose, just like you, there was nothing
(except praying) that I could do..
We lost friends,who did go back to help their families,one in particular,who after
hearing that his mother (70 +) was brutally murdered, went to try to get his sister
and her children out of Bosnien (her husband was fighting against Milosovic’s army).
I am sorry to say he failed, adding more suffering to HIS wife and children..
Is that the kind of “disruption” you would rather hear? I hope not.
All wars leave scars,some seem never to heal.
We should never forget that those scars, are inflicted by both sides,
and suffered by both.. That is the reallity of all wars.. *righteous* or not!
I have only one more thing to say on this subject, and that is a question;
“which *nationallity* were Adam and Eve”??
PS. your prayers are wellcome, I was not *looking for sympathy* as I live with my
*infirmity* (for over 15years).. and am quite used to it..
There are much worse sufferings going on in this world which makes mine seem
so VERY trivial in comparison.. (not worth mentioning,sorry I did)
I sugest we all pray for that, which CAN be helped,the kind that WE inflict upon
others daily,be it through, thought-lessness,unkindness or indifference..
don’t you agree?
We all wish forgivnes,but some seem unable to do so them selves! (forgive)
I do pray the “Our Father” and in this prayer (as you all know) we find,
“forgive us OUR sins as we forgive others” worth remembering..(My self included).
Ooops, am I off subject? the Catholic Faith??
Well, I always thought that was part,if not,the “Catholic” = universal Faith..
“A brotherhood of ALL men” !! Am I wrong??
As I have today off (but must do some “homework”),and my husand is in K??ln
Cologne (beautifull Cathedral), I will catch up on my e-mails and other things,
I have left untended to during the Christmas holl’s.
Have a nice day all…
PPS.Just reread your comment Tony..
“God is German”, should that not read; “God is an Englishman” jk
can’t remember off hand who wrote that..can you?
Yes, Josip we do have much to talk about the catholic faith just from what Father provided in this topic.
Are the 2 voices the Hebrew scriptures and the New Covenant scriptures both pointing to Jesus as God?
Yes, my dear Finland´s sister! My only one sibling on the blog.
This is a present from another Josip for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fuLFs46eZw
Your “Guardian Angel”
Mostly, the two voices are the more “theological” reflective voice of Saint John (and a little Saint Paul) and the down-to-earth narrative voice of the synoptic gospels – talking about the same things in different ways.
Another way of looking at it would be this: it’s the Bible itself (Old Testament and New Testament, including all four gospels, various epistles and the Apocalypse) offering a running, illustrative “commentary” on the highly abstract formulations of the Prologue of St. John’s Gospel.
It’s easy (for me anyway) to forget the poetry of the gospels, the beauty of their words and images– or even the beauty of the words and images of the Mass
Thank you Josip, Joseph! A good cry is welcome in my heart anytime.
Thank you Father for the visual impact-
(makes me think of John Damascene) or John of Damascus
On how the gospel, (verbal accounts) helps focus our prayer
and how Pictoral accounts also do
We give the Gospel, much more outward reverence. We STAND hearing it. Candles (I can see the shivers down spines on that one) light- on each side of the bible, in the Holy Mass- we HOLD it UP. Kiss it.
Incense it.
We do not fear the physical.
That fear, was a sacrament of the reformation/deformation.
We also do not, fear miracles.
Heaven forbid!
Lest we box God into our human understanding.
The finite God can not be limited or trapped.
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