Monday, August 05, 2013

Mornings With Mary

Mother and Son

Every Monday I look for something that starts my weekdays in an affirming frame of mind.  Today I found something especially affirming.

It is no secret here that I am pro-life.  What is not so well-known is that I am very much in the minority regarding capital punishment, which I oppose, and I'm also anti-war.  

Oh, I understand that war can be and often is justifiable.  The Just War Theory is a doctrine of military ethics or Roman philosophical and Catholic origin studied by moral theologians,  ethicists, and international policy makers, which holds that a violent conflict ought to meet philosophical, religious or political criteria.

From Cicero (106 BC–43 BC),  Ambrose (337/340–397), St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430),  St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) to the more modern examinations of John Locke (1632–1704), Paul Tillich (1886–1965), Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971), Ron Paul (1935–) and countless others in between down through the centuries - I find myself in good company though I, in no way, compare myself to their depth of thought.  I simply am a follower, a disciple, if you will, of the philosophy of doing no harm.

But, for the sake of today, my thoughtful Morning with Mary day, has given me a gift, an historical source for my spiritual and moral opposition to abortion.  I found the beginning of my trail of breadcrumbs in the Cathechism of the Catholic Church #2271 (74).  A click on footnote 74 of this section, lead me to Didache 2:2.    My next question was "What is Didache"?  A Google search lead me to Paraclete Press and this book

Oh what a world opened up to me.  I had been lead to a  preserved early handbook of an anonymous Christian Community likely written (in the first century) before many of the New Testament books.  And there in Didache 2:2, is perhaps the earliest Christian statement of the value of  human life.  It reads, in part:

Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not corrupt boys; do not have illicit sex . . . you shall not murder a child, whether it be born or unborn . . .  

As I read this, I felt a thread of oneness extending from myself on back through the centuries to these unknown people who developed a document that enshrined their way of living based on the teachings of Christ.  Long before the Bible was written down preserving Christ's teachings, we had The Didache laying out a Christian way of life.  Mary, I am sure, is looking down with great love upon her children.


13 comments:

GlorV1 said...

Mother and Son and we wouldn't have it any other way. Love reading your thoughts.:)
gloria

trailbee said...

It is amazing the words we find when we open something either at random, or with intent.
We are so lucky that people write books and tracts and let us know their thoughts.

LV said...

A truly inspiring way to start any day. Well done.

gma said...

Nice to see you Annie. Being a bibliophile I know you can find anything you want to find in a book.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I am totally shocked! Because of your political beliefs, I had just assumed you were a supporter of certain wars and also the death penalty! A believer of, as so many say "If we don't stop them over there, then they will be over here." We believe there are no just wars and have a tiny book called "Why I Am A Conscientious Objector" Well, I think that is the name.

Annie Jeffries said...

Yes, people are surprised, Ginny. I'm very conservative but my Faith informs me on matters of life.

I understand that sometimes war cannot be avoided but too often, it is thrust upon us by evil intent. Now it seems, more and more, to be thrust on us by diplomacy gone awry and a need to maintain alliances and power.

Gillena Cox said...

wonderful, the your research just took you to such inspiring writings; thank you for sharing with us

much love...

foxysue said...

Hi Annie, I always love to come here mostly to give you a (((hug))! That's not to say that your words and research are not interesting they definitely are! But I mostly steer clear of politics and religion, being a former bible basher! I nowadays I like to keep my opinions close to my chest!!

However in this case I agree with all three points!

I thought you might be interested in this link, a piece of art by Damien Hirst we stumbled upon on at a recent visit to the coast. Like most contemporary art it asks questions of modern society! x

http://www.visitilfracombe.co.uk/homepage/verity

Priti Lisa said...

Hi Annie, Aren't books a best friend in many ways...you can always find what you need to hear...thoughts that resound with yours.
Still thinking about building a free library, Oh! When thoughts turn to action...♥♥

Hettienne Grobler said...

I myself just love researching old texts and ancient writings - I do not belong to any organised religion, but I have faith in the God of Love and His Son and of course, our blessed Mother and my faith supports all your beliefs. I am absolutely against the taking of all life, including the life of animals.Thank you for a very interesting and thought provoking post.

rebecca said...

this morning i am looking at the world with fresh eyes. beginning with the sacred heart of mary and jesus. beginning with your ovals of purple flowers entwining the two in a radiant blooming of love. i am noticing how these two ovals create the symbol for infinity.
and your words mother and son, which carry a deeper meaning to me as i navigate the new terrain of my own child moving out into the world to finish his degree. you couldn't know that the simple loving addition of the interwoven ovals comforts me as i make this transition of letting go and witnessing a whole new horizon of growth in my sons life.
a symbol, one might see as an embellishment of love, yet for me right now in this moment becomes a comfort, a rich invitation to trust the bonds of family life and love and to surrender.
it is amazing how we all effect each other without even knowing. thank you for your lovingly offered mother and son. you have blessed me mightily!
xoxoxoxo

Diane AZ said...

Hi Annie, Beautiful Mother and Son artwork, thank you for sharing your insights and research, all very interesting. :)

LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN said...

HI Annie, this is a wonderful image of Mary and Jesus. Thank you for sharing. Love the purple ornate frame.