Time out

I hope you are all well. Thank you for passing by. I realise that I have not been posting much of late, and for that I apologise. At the same time I must be honest and say I see no immediate change to the situation. It is something I have tried to fight of for some time now but there was a certain amount of inevitability around the outcome. The reasons and cause of this change in my bloggin status are personal, and yet worldly. But I continue to retreat into the City of God for some respite. I could never have dreamed that God would have such a lifestyle prepared for me and at the same time I would have disliked it, and wanted to retreat from it. Pray that I might render unto Cesaer only what belongs to Cesear. I thank God, for my Catholic faith. Always. I continue to pray that He might help me practice it as He would want. That is to the best of my abilities. And then some through His own powerful grace. Please feel free to contact me . God bless you all. Keep visiting from time to time.

Labour Loyal?

It would be a shame if any election became polarised along religious grounds. Although I'm pleased that Catholics in Scotland are beginning to see the light in a political sense, I have no wish to see the SNP become the party that can depend on the Catholic vote, or is associated with the Catholic vote. It wasn't healthy when it was Labour who could depend on it in the main, and it wouldn't be healthy if it was the Nationalists. Every Catholic vote in Scotland should be worked for by every election candidate.

However, the news that the Orange Order is to "mobilise" to save the Union at the next general election by campaigning against the SNP, and "getting into bed with Labour", is a worrying development in many ways.

Not least, can anyone think of anything worse than having an Orangeman hand you a Scottish Labour Party leaflet?

From the Rising of the Sun to its Setting

The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom is one of my religious inspirations. It is beautiful lyrically, and when I have listened to it, musically. I wonder if in the case of union it could provide the key to the liturgical debate raging in the West.

The Pope, Lochaber and the Czechs

A memorial to Czechoslovakians who both trained in the Highlands during WWII has had its foundation stone blessed by the Pope on his recent visit to that country. The Czechoslovakians were in Arisaig in the early 1940s as trainers and trainees in the Special Operations Executive. They were trained to use explosives, silent killing methods and how to sabotage railways. Once their training had been completed, they would be parachuted behind enemy lines to carry out a secret war against Nazi Germany. The memorial site lies on the seaward side of Arisaig village. Shrubs and rocks screen the location from the the nearby café and road, while an explanatory plaque is mounted nearby. More at Lochaber News A full day of events is planned around the unveiling in November.

Run the Race

1st Corinthians Ch 9 v24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27. but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Envy

Sitting in a hotel on a Tuesday night eating a Ceasar Salad with a glass of still water to wash it down, and a guy half your size walks past with a burger n chips and a pint of Guinness.

A good friend nearing the end of its days

My Daily Office book is nearing the end of its life. After years of use, its back has broken and its pages have more often than not curled up at the corners, got coffee stains around the edges, or both. I can't remember how that happened with the coffee to be honest. Obviously Mrs CT or someone else is to blame. Although I think the broken back is because of a poorly fitting leather holder which I kept it in. I've been toying with the idea of replacing my faithful prayer book, (at least it was waiting for me every hour even if I didn't always pick it up) with this. Now I have no intentioin of doing the seven "hours" so it might not be suitable for me. On the other hand it might help me with my Latin, and it might mean I squeeze the other hours in from time to time and well, you never know.

Papal Visit and Reformation 450

A few posts back I asked the question . Just what Calvin bring to Scotland? Tom Devine has a great article at TimeOnline . It is a debate that will continue to swell up and will no doubt be a tidal wave of controversial articles by the time of the formal 450th Anniversary of the Reformation in Scotland on 5th August 2010. (The date is the anniversary of the date the Scottish Parliament passed an Act recognising the Reformation, not for example the anniversary of THAT sermon by John Knox in Perth in 1559 - which would have made the anniversary this year.) In any case, I wonder when the Pope will be in Edinburgh. Autumn eh? Snigger Snigger.

flux

Greetings my friends. It has been a while. Teuchtar has been travelling a lot. The latest itinerary could have been said to have started two weeks ago today when I went to Ft William. Just passing through mind. A meeting to attend, you know the kind of thing. After that it was on to Edinburgh via Crianlarich for a busmans holiday until Monday evening. One night at home then a couple of days travel through the Western Isles before arriving home again on Thursday night. Praise the Lord, a week at home I thought. Routine! Just for a week maybe? Not so. My services have been demanded back in Auld Reekie again this week. Did I mention that the week before all this I was in Glasgow, and the week before that I was in Edinburgh? In fact the last week I was at home for the full working week was week commencing 31st August. So you will understand if my life seems like it is in a state of flux, and I don't know where it is all going to end. Not that I'm unhappy mind. Just a bit insecure. Please remember me in your prayers, that it all turns out well, and that I keep God to the forefront of my mind.

7

Tagged again this time by Cath the Calvinista and to be honest its about time I got around to this one. Seven things I like; malt whisky

My country The Sea Coming home Travel My wife No 7.

now of the last two memes I did, if you have a blog, and you have read them, consider yourself meme'd!!

Eucharist irony

As I sat there today considering all that was going on before me at Mass, the miracle, the love, the hope, the prayers, the sacrifice, the self giving, all of it. It struck me that it was often difficult to believe in it all. I reflected on all my thoughts. I am reflecting now this evening, that surely the Protestant understanding of the Lords supper was more acceptable to logical level headed humans. It is an easy decision. It is little wonder it has been made in error by so many.

The huge leaps of faith required, and the blocking out of doubt. It happens to the best of us. The thoughts going through our minds at communion. The elation of highs when receiving communion is equalled only in number by the dissapointment of mind numbing incredulity at the fact that Jesus' Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity was really all mine in the bread and wine.

But, when I have felt unworthy of communicating, when I have been overtaken by my sins, and my confession has been too far away, and the warning of Paul rings in my ears, how very very strongly I believed in it all. All my doubt would have gone.

Gaelic Mass by Blair Douglas

Blair Douglas' composition An Aifreann Ghaidhlig (A Gaelic Mass), opens the Blas 2009 celebrations of Highland culture at Inverness Cathedral tomorrow: Full Story from The Herald Website.

 

Meanwhile the Blas 2009 website informs us

 

 

AIFREANN

Since ancient times man has sought through incantation, blessings, prayer and proverb to seek strength and hope by praising the indefinable mysteries of the universe. The Eucharistic celebration is “the centre of the Christian Community” and is at the heart of the Christian faith and life. It has exercised an enormous influence upon the development of music. Music and singing - Art - is a thing of great beauty and power. It creates an atmosphere of splendour and emotional strength. The Mass is more than vocal music: it is vocal music with a function. As part of a divine service, the standard by which the music of any Mass is judged, is the extent to which it enters into an active and intimate connection with the holy offering. As servants of worship, music and song possess the power to put the soul in devout contact with the Lord, arousing and expressing sentiments of praise, petition, expiation, thanksgiving, joy as well as sorrow, love, trust, peace.

 

An Aifreann Gàidhlig | The Gaelic Mass - is a project which has interested and fascinated Blair Douglas for some years but one which he has only recently felt equipped, both musically and spiritually, to undertake.

 

His Mass is firmly rooted in the Celtic tradition but also seeks to explore and develop differing musical themes. It will feature a blend of traditional instruments such as clàrsach, fiddle, flute, and pipes along with orchestral accompaniment, organ, and keyboards. In combining both musical styles, a unique and original work will be created without sacrificing the sanctity of the Mass. The Gaelic Mass will represent a musical crossover between the traditional and classical styles.

Performance Dates
Inverness Cathedral, Inverness, Friday 4th September
St Mary's Church, Fort William, Saturday 5th Septemer
St Mary's Church, Portree, Sunday 6th September

 

Sounds great!

 

Just for one day

In the David Bowie song "Heroes" which I chose in a recent meme, the following line

always inspires my imagination;

 

"I wish I could swim

like the Dolphins,

like the Dolphins can swim"

 

That line always brings me home. Probably because it involves the sea in my imagination of those swimming dolphins. I have always loved the sea, be it rough, or mirror still, i love looking at it just the same. I love looking at everything in it, and everything on it. Once I wanted to join the Navy.

 

But sometimes the words I home in on is the I wish aspect. I wish I could write like Ian Banks, or Iain Dale. Or Martin Kelly!! I wish I could pray like John Paul II or Mother Theresa or Sister Faustina. I wish I earned more, worked less, talked less, prayed more, worked harder, spoke softer, looked smaller, seemed taller, was a kid again, didnt still act like one.

 

I wish I hadn't. I wish I had. I wish I did. I wish I didn't. 

 

What do you wish?
 

Freedom and Nelson Mandela

A new poll has support for Scottish Justice Secretary at 45%, and opposition to him over the release of Megrahi at exactly the same amount. This is up from the 32% which supported him at the time. Scots don't really have a "wha's like us" attitude. They can be very self critical. You only have to read the papers after our sportsmen have been underperforming on the international stage to see how critical we can be of eachother and ourselves as a nation.

 

However, when the criticism comes from others, things change. The barriers go up. I predict by the time of the next election, especially if Megrahi is no longer alive, which going on the recent pictures of him seems likely, this issue will have turned on its head and a substantial majority will be supporting the Government.

 

2010 might be the year of an Independence Referendum. If it is, then a bit of high brow diplomacy involving Washington and Westminster will have done the Nationalist cause no harm at all. It puts the Scottish Goverment on the world stage, and without coming out of it smelling of roses, coming out of it far from humiliated and with the support of people like Nelson Mandela.

 

Yes, Scots are fond of Obama, Brown too, he's one of us. But they prefer Mandela to both.

 

The ultimate effect of ths could yet be as nobody could have foreseen. Infact, would it be bad taste to suggest that one suggested proposal the opposition might have missed on during Megrahi's conversation with the Justice Secretary could have been, "we'll be having an Independence Referendum in October 2010 Ali, whats the chances of you timing your ...err ..you know..say September?"

 

 

 

 

Hiort (St Kilda)

Bha latha Naiseanta Hiort ann an t-seachdan seo agus tha fichead dealbh air lar BBC Alba. Cha bhidh briseadh duil idir ann dhuibh ma thig sibh steach a thoirt suil, agus tha dealbhan eile ann bho Alba air fad. Cuideachd tha am program An t-Hiortach air iplayer BBC Alba gu Di-Sathairne.

among the thorns

 

I question everything these days. It seems to be a part of my spiritual journey. Why am I so relatively well off? Healthy? Why are others so poor? Sick? Dead? How can we be so mean to one another? War -whats that all about then? What good has it done?  What good have I done?

 

Sooner or later I shall be transformed. Sooner or later my life is going to change. Change will and does come. Even if it is in my death. Nothing ever stays the same. Has my life changed? I suppose it has. But I'm praying every day to understand more, to live more, to feel more, to be more. Only God can do those things for me this I know. The reason I desire this, is because I have tasted, God has let me taste His sweetness, and I want more. I love.

 

When you strip your life down, it is amazing the clatter you have in it. Clatter that isn't important. Often its even someone elses' concerns. It is as if we look for clatter. It prevents us from truly being ourself and from from loving, rather than worrying, hateing, criticising, etc.  

 

Praise the Lord.

 

 

 

Monday Musings (on Tuesday)

I was contemplating my over indulgence on all things nice at the weekend when I came across a picture on the BBC Scotland website that suggests Ramadan is approaching. (Incidentally can you imagine Lent getting such a plug?)

 

It seems to me that Muslims take their fasting much more seriously than us. They don't just stop sweeties, they actually go hungry! Evangelical Protestants in the Highlands do not fast at all. Come to think of it neither do I much. Unless you call a bit of self denial of a carefully selected luxury during our Lent fasting. I doubt it really qualifies. It might qualify as following the precepts of the Church but beyond that, I cant really see it as fasting. We even get a break on Sundays and other Feast days if we want, although the Sunday relaxing of Lent is less common today.

 

Wouldn't it be something if a Bishop or even the Holy Father called us , say Western Catholics or a diocese in the West, to fast more seriously for a period at a predetermined time outside Lent. I think a bit of solidarity would be good for the Church. I could be done to show some solidarity with our poorer brothers and sisters. Or to do penance for some of the more public wrongs of members of the Church, as well as our own sins of course. The Bishops in America could have done a lot worse than call a fast during the period of the sex scandals.

 

We all have it too easy really. Weekends for me might be a period of Mass-going and prayer and time with the family, but they are also generally a period of over indulgence. This is something I need to address. It is like one big feast day. The fridge never shuts for long. I really need to start using fasting more in my spiritual journey, not just at lent. 

 

 

Black Watch Sniper ; War and Peace

1 Mile Shot Takes out Taliban Chief

In case you missed it. Personally, this is more my style as what they should do to terrorist leaders. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.

Pacifism is very interesting of course and I love peace myself. I really am a quiet and retiring man very happy with my Bach organ music and a pile of books on a Sunday afternoon after Mass.

Orwell defined a pacifist as "those who abjure violence ...because others are commmitting violence on their behalf."

Of course I have read and studied the Catholic Catechism

2308 All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. However, "as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed."

2309 The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:

- the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

- all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;

- there must be serious prospects of success;

- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modem means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine.

The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.

2314 "Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation." A danger of modern warfare is that it provides the opportunity to those who possess modern scientific weapons especially atomic, biological, or chemical weapons - to commit such crimes.

MASTER OF THE NIGHT by Angela Knight, .. - 2004 - Fiction - 309 pages

"There had been women who had probably needed killing — spies, traitors, ... Maybe it was weak. Maybe he was shirking his duty. ".

Any person may kill any mad dog, and also any dog if he is killing sheep, cattle, hogs, goats, or poultry. (1919, c. 116, s. 8; C.S., s. 1682.)

This is a quote from a USA state statute; of course in the South and in the Far West where I live firearms are still ubiquitous. I am writing only three miles from the Kern River which has wild beaver and bobcats. Kit Foxes live on my school campus (they are harmless to humans and are a protected species). In the foothills and in the High Desert (20 and 40 miles respectively) there are coyotes who will kill not only rabbits, stray cats and dogs but occasionally human babies left in the back yard. In the mountains which I can see from my window Grizzy Bears are extinct but there are many black bears and mountain lines still prowl the hills. For people who travel or live in remote areas firearms are still a very legitimate form of self-defense. And I am only speaking of animal vermin of course.

A historian once said "the armed minority are the true masters of the unarmed majority."

Violence is a deadly hypocrisy and is perhaps mankind's most regretable vice. The Great Teacher reminded us "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." (Mathew 5:9).

But there is an old Highland saying: "There is a peace to be found only on the other side of war." Another Highland saying is "If a man has no arms at him during peace he will have none when war comes." It may be good to delight in the triumph of the Good but we should always know that war and violence against our fellows are probably the most tragic aspect's of man's character.

But we are -all of us- descended from cannibals and killers. The Highlander knew this and called it Mire-catha or the ancient blood lust or battle frenzy. He not only desired to spill blood in battle but to drink it. Drinking blood after a hunt or after a battle was once a very common occurence. I am told that even in the first world war Scottish soldiers asked their comrades to drink their blood as they lay dying so that later with those same lips they could kiss their wife and children and tell them how they died.

The commandmnets tell us 'thou shall not kill' but as I tell my catechists this is a command I really have a hard time understanding becuase I do not want to love my enemies but destroy them. But I accept the teaching on the basis of the authority of the Great Teacher and try to live by it in my normal civilian life. But touch not this cat but with a glove. The Mire-cath is there, I know, and so I exercise caution and self-control.

AN Lon-dubh (the Black Bird) Julie Fowlis

http://www.juliefowlis.com/store/ From what I can hear the Gaelic lyrics are very similar to the orignal lyrics below.

bob marley - redemption song - no1

nuff said.