Sunday, November 28, 2010

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib...

With temperatures dropping,
last Friday was spent preparing the winter stables.

(left click on the pictures to see them larger)

The ox knoweth his owner...
Jersey bull Joe was the first in
he was segregated into Nazareth stable away from the cows.

"Monk and hammer can do all things."
Soviet citizens will understand!


Straw being laid on the sheeps' side of Bethlehem stable.
The far side is for the cows.

The skies are threatening.
The sheep are on their way in for the winter.

Brother Yousef Marie with the first arrivals.

The ass knows its Master's crib.
The donkey to the left is Gloria,
named after the Gloria in excelsis Deo
first sung by the angels on Christmas night.

This one is Benedicta -
named after the Benedictus qui venit of Palm Sunday.

Donkeys and sheep with this year's lambs...
Surely a remote preparation for Christmas.

The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib...
(Isaias Ch. 1)

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan.
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago...

And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice,
and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.
(Jn. 10:16)

What can I bring Him poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb...

The lane between the cells last evening.
Heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain;
Heav'n and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.

11 comments:

  1. What beautiful pastoral images! I especially like how the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Succor and the statue of Jesus the Good Shepherd are there to sanctify the barn.

    As an aside, Fr. Michael Mary, you might have noticed how our good Pope is under fire in Traddie-blog land for certain statements in his new book, particularly his remarks about the Good Friday prayer for the conversion of the Jews. If you have time and inspiration to post an eloquent and edifying defense of the Holy Father (as only you can!), we would all be indebted.

    In the hearts of Jesus and Mary,
    David

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  2. what an awesome barn!! you have icons and a statue of jesus! now i have a fantastic idea and we'll have to find a way to get some icons and statues in our barns too.

    speaking of barns... yours is HUGE! i'll bet the donkeys, sheep, and kye feel like royalty in such a huge bedded mansion. :-)

    beautiful pictures. you all have a goregous monastery!

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  3. I love these "Island Life" posts.

    Thank you!

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  4. Thank you for this really lovely post - a wonderful mix of superb photos and uplifting commentary.

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  5. Great post and great pictures. Thanks.

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  6. Dear Fathers and Brothers,
    even, not, especially in full winter nature mantains both its fascination and majesty.
    Blessed be your good work and devotion.

    Yours
    A.B.

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  7. Annie of AustraliaTuesday, November 30, 2010

    Thank you !

    Every move you make you make with the Lord !

    I love you wonderful monks so much.

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  8. You may enjoy my post on Catholic Phoenix about shepherds, death and the cross:

    http://catholicphoenix.com/2010/11/29/of-shepherds-death-and-the-cross-poetry-as-philosophy-and-christ-as-the-muse/

    I am planning on writing an Advent reflection inspired by this beautiful post. Thank you and please pray for us here in Phoenix where we don't get to experience the winter season in its full meaning like you.

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  9. What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your life with us. May you have a blessed Christmas season!

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