“We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious about many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet always seeking the light.”
Henri Nouwen, Advent Prayer
"He became what we are, so that he might make us what he is."
Athanasius of Alexandria, Against Heresies
"'Gnosis’ was an enormous temptation in the early Christian Church. What made it so insidious was the fact that the Gnostics very often did not want to leave the Church. Instead, they claimed to be offering a superior and more authentic exposition of Holy Scripture, though, of course, this was only for the ‘superior souls’. It inevitably encouraged an almost unbounded arrogance in those who had moved from mere ‘faith’ to genuine, enlightened ‘knowledge’.
Myth seeks the ascent of man to spirit; the Word of God seeks descent into flesh and blood. Myth wants power; revelation reveals the true power of God in the most extreme powerlessness. Myth wants knowledge; the Word of God asks for constant faith and, within that faith, a growing, reverent understanding. The revelation of God’s Word is gentle patience amidst the inevitable tensions of life. Error never shows itself in its naked reality, so as to not be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses itself elegantly, so the easily led may believe that it is more truthful than truth itself.”
Irenaeus of Lyons, The Scandal of The Incarnation
"In the Incarnation the whole human race recovers the dignity of the image of God. Thereafter, any attack, even on the least of men, is an attack on Christ, who took on the form of man, and in his own Person restored the image of God in all. Through our relationship with the Incarnation, we recover our true humanity, and at the same time are delivered from that perverse individualism which is the consequence of sin, and recover our solidarity with all mankind."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Our faith is founded on the unity of the three great realities: the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.
In the incarnation the Word is firmly rooted in our lives. Through the crucifixion the world is redeemed and purified. And by the resurrection we are raised with it to the eternity of divine love.
Stocks wallowed around today, digesting their recent gains.
Gold bounced up a bit, and silver rallied quite impressively.
Powell speaks tomorrow, and there will be a Non-Farm Payrolls report on Friday.
VIX is near to lows that lately have suggested complacency, and a precursor to a correction.
I still cannot believe the things that I am seeing and hearing.
What is one to do?
Come let us adore Him.
Have a pleasant evening.
