"'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 not only an excited craving for higher initiation, but also an almost unbounded arrogance in those who had moved from mere ‘faith’ to real, 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, only within that faith, a growing, reverent understanding. The revelation of God’s Word is gentle patience amidst the intractable tensions of life. Error never shows itself in its naked reality, in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than truth itself.”
Irenaeus of Lyons, The Scandal of The Incarnation
"He became what we are, that he might make us what he is."
Athanasius of Alexandria, Against Heresies
“We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over 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 seeking the light.”
Henri Nouwen, Advent Prayer
"This great masquerade of evil has played havoc with all our ethical concepts. For evil to appear disguised as light, compassion, historical necessity or even social justice is quite bewildering to anyone brought up on traditional concepts.
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
It was definitely a risk on day as stocks went roaring higher.
Fearless, into the weekend.
Gold and silver were under quite a bit of pressure, and went out near the lows.
VIX fell.
The Dollar fell a bit.
So is it blue skies ahead, with a Goldilocks economy in a calm and peaceful world?
Or whistling past a graveyard for a quick technical trade
Economic data in the form of Consumer Inflation may help us to decide.
Let's see what happens.
Repentance, forgiveness, thankfulness.
These are gifts of the cross, illuminated by the resurrection, made possible by the Incarnation: the greatest gifts that we may ever hope to receive. And they are given freely, to all who will accept them.
And in the end, isn't that what really matters?
Have a pleasant weekend.
