Scram!!!

(photo repurposed from google image archives)

MERTON: LE POINT VIERGE

The first chirps of the waking day birds mark the "point vierge" (virgin point) of dawn under a sky as yet without true light, a moment of awe and inexpressible innocence, when the Father, in perfect silence open their eyes. They begin to speak to Him, not with fluent song, but with an awakening question that is their dawn state, their state at the "point vierge." Their condition asks if it is time for them to be. He answers "yes." Then, they one by one wake up and become birds. They manifest themselves as birds, beginning to sing. Presently they will be fully themselves, and will even fly.

Here is an unspeakable secret: paradise is all around us and we do not understand. It is wide open. The sword is taken away, but we do not know it: we are off "one to his farm and another to his merchandise."Lights on, clock ticking, thermostats working, stoves cooking, electric shavers filling radios with static. "Wisdom" cries the dawn deacon, but we do not attend. The most wonderful moment of the day is when creation in its innocence asks permission "to be" once again, as it did on the first morning that ever was.

T. Merton


(sampung pasasalamat)

MERTON: SILENCE

The world of men has forgotten the joys of silence, the peace of solitude which is necessary, in some extent, for the fullness of human living. Not all men are called to be hermits, but all men need enough silence and solitude in their lives to enable the deep, inner voice of their own true self to be heard at least occasionally.

When that inner voice is not heard, when man cannot attain to the spiritual peace that comes from being perfectly at one with his own true self, his life is always miserable and exhausting. For he cannot go on happily for long unless he is in contact with the springs of spiritual life which are hidden in the depths of his soul.

If a man is constantly exiled from his own home, locked out of his own spiritual solitude, he cease to be  a true person. he no longer lives as a man. He becomes a kind of automaton, living without joy because he has lost his spontaneity. He is no longer moved from within, but only from outside himself.

T. Merton, The Silent Life, NY: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux 1957, Pp. 166 - 167


(sampung pasasalamat)

3 A.M.

It is essential for me to be always reminded that I am a beggar.

I own nothing.

I am nothing.

I owe everything to Him who caused me to be.

I can only ask.

I can only pray.

I can only beg.

I am completely dependent on His mercy;

totally in need of His compassion.

I cannot boast of anything;

For nothing that is good can come from me but only through Him who is the source of all that is good.

I am nothing.

I was created out of nothing.

I am only because He created me and invested in me His own image and likeness.

To be someone other than the image and likeness of God is to be no one;

To be nothing.

I am

Only when I am in and with Him, and He is in and with me.


(sampung pasasalamat)

GOSPODI POMILUJ

Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

KYRIE ELEISON
PANGINOON MAAWA KA
GOSPODI POMILUJ

(sampung pasasalamat)

GATES...

Gates are decisions.

Exits and entrances.

One brings you somewhere, another, somewhere else.

They lead you to something, and away from somewhere els. else.

Gates are yeses and nos; could be happy or sad places.

They can be warm on some days, but could also be cold on some others.

Often crowded,

Occasionally desolate.

One either beams with joy, or is overcome with grief, at times even dread, at the sight of them gates.

And they are always venues, loci, meet-up places, platforms and witnesses of countless proposals,

hook-ups, reunions and catching-up trips;

of friendships recovered,

or unions severed.


(sampung pasasalamat sa mga kaibigang nakasalamuha)

National Gallery of Arts

One begins with particulars. Details. Little things and semblances of order, of sequence, of logic.

But then comes the colours, the outbursts, those unexpected flecks of gold and lapis lazuli shades.

Of little putti prancing, twisting, playing, entangled here and there on some high renaissance sleeves

and mantles.

Then corners become curves,

And curves into sinews,

And walking become striding,

Gliding, diving and flying, and simultaneously breathing and huffing, inspiring, exhilarating,

at times both edifying and disturbing,

uplifting, sobering,

the many complexities between living and dying.

And we're not talking here of the east Building yet…


(sampung pasasalamat sa mga kaibigang nakasalamuha)

NEVERLAND. HAPPILAND.

This is the quiet hours; the theaters

Have gathered in their crowds, and steadily

The million lights blaze on for few to see,

Robbing the sky of stars that should be hers,

  a somber man drifts by, and only we

  pass up the street unwearied, warm and free,

For over us the olden magic stirs.

Beneath the liquid splendor of the lights

We live a little ere the charm is spent;

This night is ours, of all the golden nights,

The pavement an enchanted palace floor,

   And Youth the player on the viol, who sent

A strain of music thru an open door.


Sarah Teasdale (1884 - 1933)
BROADWAY


(sampung pasasalamat sa mga kaibigang nakasalamuha)

PRINCETON

Come, you full of knowledge, you know nothing.

Come, you dripping with riches and things, you have nothing.

Come, you dressed in honours and accolades, you are nothing.

Come. Come you all. You who are tired and sick and wounded.

You who are hurt, deceived, and dead.

Come you all and sip of water.

Come you all, be filled with bread.




Come to me, your shelter and stead.

Come be loved,

 and dressed,

  well-fed.

Come to me for I'm your safety.

Come to me,

I'm your salvation.

Come to me and find your friend.

Come and cease being lost, unloved.

Come, beloved,

Come to me.


(sampung pasasalamat sa mga kaibigang nakasalamuha)

VAN GOGH'S EAR

I found this gem in the middle of our afternoon walk. Appropriately called "Van Gogh's Ear," This sculpture/ outdoor installation by Elmgreen & Dragset embodies their art manifesto which seeks to stir in the audience what critiques would describe as a sense of "displacement," of "disconnect" through their oeuvre (most famously represented by "Prada Marfa," which is a full reconstruction of a Prada storefront by the roadside of a Texan desert).

Van Gogh's Ear as a totem for "displacement" and "uprootedness" is none more appropriately situated than in the middle of this brash and unabashed mecca of unbridled commercialism and materialism. A pitstop of sorts for the weary army of people from all walks and persuasions each having his or her own  pursuit both profound and profane, all wanting to tear a bite off the proverbial "Big Apple."


(sampung pasasalamat sa mga kaibigang nakasalamuha)

OVER EARTH AND UNDER HEAVEN

In a plane, alone, again

To see, and smell, and see;

  and touch, and to perceive,

  to be touched

  and be received.


In a crowd, yet unconnected

Surrounded yet unbound.

  In the middle of being lost

  and found

  I am.


Over Earth

And under Heaven.


***

… Prayed the Tuesday Divine Office two days in a row, while chatting with friends from tomorrow: EWTN-meets-Twilight Zone-meets-Back-To-The-Future.


(sampung pasasalamat sa mga kaibigang nakasalamuha)