The feast of Saint Matthew, "Evangelical Man" (9/21) falls
around the autumn equinox. And it is compelling because
this gospel, penetrating as it does the "astrological
approaches" of either "Herod-Paganized Scribes" versus
"Christ-O-Logical Magi", thus shines upon the inquiring
gnostic souls who should need to know a marvelous mosaic
of cosmic influences. There are celestial signs and Angels
of light, but shepherds as well and a manger of might! As
then mankind might focus upon but zodiacal "starry-eyed
enzymes", the Divine Word inserts instead a "Singular
Star to wish upon..." (Christ!) and for humble "beasts of
burden" here below (as when Christ would ride into Jerusalem
on a mere donkey).
Thus, see Liturgical Seasons: as the Annunciation of Christ's
Birth to Mary perfectly fulfills what would otherwise be merely-
paganized fertility rites of spring (God thus purifying here
with Life!, over time, via Christ). The birth of "Divinely-
Purgative John-The-Baptizer" perfectly cools what would
otherwise be but the searing soltices of perpetually-pagan
extremes (phoenixes of unrepentant ash and/or primal fires).
And Christmas, as every child will tell you without astrology
on their minds, is simply "Magi-Call"! Where do all true Wise-
men arrive after following the signs? Near Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph - no doubt with a "trip to the zoo" having been thus
included! But Catholic Grace alone seals the right signs:
all other "sign-posts", whether fortunate or not, are but
the "Labyrinthine Ways" yet admitting many "analogous wolves" -
only the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Faith, properly lived, guides
us and calls us as the "Hound from Heaven" (Wise-Faithful Christ)!
al pinto - acting director
opus doctorum foundation
http://www.AlbertTheGreat.Com
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>From: Francine Nicholson <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: RE: Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
>Date: Wed, Jul 5, 2000, 2:29 PM
>
>> From: Bernadette Filotas
>>
>> Would any list-member happen to know if there is a feast of the
>> annunciation of St. John the Baptist and, if so, when it is celebrated?
>> Atto of Vercelli (d. 961) preached two sermons "In annuntiatione beati
>> praecursoris, etc." Or is this simply the 24th of June?
>>
> I've been thinking about this, too. If the schema is spring
> equinox--Annunciation to Mary, summer solstice--birth of John, winter
> solstice--birth of Jesus, then one would expect autumn equinox--Annunciation
> to Elizabeth or Zachary. And I believe there is a feast of the Conception of
> John on 23 Sept., right where one would expect to find it. Since the
> Annunciation and Conception were considered simultaneous, this would
> probably be the same date.
>
> Francine Nicholson
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