Thanks for sharing the Latin version of today's O antiphon. It is so much richer than the USCCB's English version , at least based on Google translate. (Any Latin scholars may do even better).
Latin to English via Google:
O key of David
and the scepter of the house of Israel;
who opens and no one closes;
you close and no one opens:
come and bring the prisoner out of the prison house
sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.
vs. USCCB version:
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Does anyone know why the USCCB version is dumbed down? The opens/closes line really explains the antiphon, at least to me, and I had no idea it was there until reading this article.
The early translations of everything in the breviary and the collects for Mass and stuff were all NOT faithful transactions of the Latin sentence structure but rather broken up and simplified like a mother cutting steak into little pieces for a child that only recently got enough teeth to chew them. This is why we wait patiently for the new translation of the breviary (the Mass collects already have been updated and what a difference it makes.). As for why: probably because people were thinking that laypeople are dumb.
I might say, because people knew that some laypeople *are* dumb, and chose to give us what they thought even the dumbest of us could easily understand, rather than giving us the real deal and letting us ponder it in our hearts.
Ed, as an investigative journalist you have the solemn responsibility to determine if the alleged Guinness shortage is real or media hype. It is dirty work, but someone has to do it.
It seems as though the disagreement over the assassination plot comes from the fact that it was caught by the UK and not Iraqi police. Maybe they are embarrassed that someone else caught the plot on their turf.
Whatever steps the laity take to elevate the discussion around stopping clerical abuse are undoubtedly beneficial. The formal disassociation of Belgian Catholics from the Church highlights a growing frustration with the lack of accountability. At the same time, millions of Catholics in the United States and elsewhere are expressing their discontent in less formal but equally impactful ways—by simply walking away from the Church. The hope is that such actions, whether loud or quiet, will compel Church leaders to take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse more seriously, acknowledging that continued inaction risks the erosion of trust and participation in the faith.
"[C]ontinued inaction risks the erosion of trust and participation in the faith." Tragically, that risk has fully materialized -- in the U.S, with the elevation of 5 McCarrick cronies to the cardinalate, and internationally, with the shameless coddling of Rupnick et al. And don't underestimate the impact of the ongoing financial corruption at the Vatican -- from shady real estate deals to the mismanagement and milking of Peter's Pence. What faithful steward of the gifts God has given him would freely subsidize such grift, graft, and greed?
"But Christmas isn’t meant to be sepia-soaked, as the O’s remind me. It’s about looking first and hard at my reality, my darknesses, my captivities to sin, and lifting my eyes in search of the Savior coming with the key to my liberation, the one who alone can open to me heaven, to which nothing but my own choices can bar the gates." Amen.
Delighted to know the black stuff is still flowing in the Jeffrey Bernard's Coach and Horses and the Red Lion. Great pubs. My own favourites in London are The Lamb Bloomsbury and The Lamb and Flag. Next bonus show should be Ed explaining his top 5 London pub choices
Sorry, my taste of Guinness in Dublin was not an epiphany. I drink mostly stout and I like a good Chocolate. Nowadays that means Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate although I've enjoyed something similar from Rogue and Brooklyn. Blessed Christmas to all.
"Of all the specters in A Christmas Carol, the sinister Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come seems to me to be the most poorly portrayed, for it is in the future that my hope of salvation lies, terrible and awesome as He will be when he comes on the clouds."
I wonder if the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come's appearance in the story is based on the fact that Scrooge's (eternal) future at that point is not one of salvation but damnation. Would the Ghost appear in a more kindly visage to Scrooge if they shared a pint the year after Scrooge's redemption?
Ed, a very Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for everything you do here, from seriousness to snark. You and JD and the team have made my life better by encountering you. Prayers this continues for as long as you wish.
I'm glad to hear that the fine people of the UK will not lack for the good stuff. (One assumes by the lack of mass riots in Dublin that the Irish themselves are well-supplied.) Might you check on a London pub called Citie of York? I had a chance to go there on a weekend trip while visiting a friend in Dublin. It might have been enhanced by the exhaustion and lack of sleep, but the pub delighted me with it's well-enclosed snugs, excellent beer, and the best bangers and mash of my life.
Maybe it’s the stomach bug hangover I’m dealing with, but after reading about the possible Guinness shortage in the UK, I felt promoted to get up and make sure my stash of G was OK. I’m glad to say that it is. And equally glad to have a stash of Negra Modelo next to it.
Kim Kardashian and Guinness? Truly, there is no reverence in this generation and nothing is sacred anymore.
"That being said, Guinness is good for you."
Well said Ed. Guinness is the breakfast of champions.
Thanks to you and JD for all your work. Have a blessed Christmas and new year!
Thanks for sharing the Latin version of today's O antiphon. It is so much richer than the USCCB's English version , at least based on Google translate. (Any Latin scholars may do even better).
Latin to English via Google:
O key of David
and the scepter of the house of Israel;
who opens and no one closes;
you close and no one opens:
come and bring the prisoner out of the prison house
sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.
vs. USCCB version:
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Does anyone know why the USCCB version is dumbed down? The opens/closes line really explains the antiphon, at least to me, and I had no idea it was there until reading this article.
The early translations of everything in the breviary and the collects for Mass and stuff were all NOT faithful transactions of the Latin sentence structure but rather broken up and simplified like a mother cutting steak into little pieces for a child that only recently got enough teeth to chew them. This is why we wait patiently for the new translation of the breviary (the Mass collects already have been updated and what a difference it makes.). As for why: probably because people were thinking that laypeople are dumb.
I might say, because people knew that some laypeople *are* dumb, and chose to give us what they thought even the dumbest of us could easily understand, rather than giving us the real deal and letting us ponder it in our hearts.
Americans, who live the most cosseted lives imaginable, have a gift for dumbing down just about everything. And we're proud of that, God help us.
“Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?” -Kevin, The Office
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Thank you for this wonderful space in this often crazy world.
Rejoice and be glad!!!!!
Ed, as an investigative journalist you have the solemn responsibility to determine if the alleged Guinness shortage is real or media hype. It is dirty work, but someone has to do it.
It seems as though the disagreement over the assassination plot comes from the fact that it was caught by the UK and not Iraqi police. Maybe they are embarrassed that someone else caught the plot on their turf.
Whatever steps the laity take to elevate the discussion around stopping clerical abuse are undoubtedly beneficial. The formal disassociation of Belgian Catholics from the Church highlights a growing frustration with the lack of accountability. At the same time, millions of Catholics in the United States and elsewhere are expressing their discontent in less formal but equally impactful ways—by simply walking away from the Church. The hope is that such actions, whether loud or quiet, will compel Church leaders to take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse more seriously, acknowledging that continued inaction risks the erosion of trust and participation in the faith.
"[C]ontinued inaction risks the erosion of trust and participation in the faith." Tragically, that risk has fully materialized -- in the U.S, with the elevation of 5 McCarrick cronies to the cardinalate, and internationally, with the shameless coddling of Rupnick et al. And don't underestimate the impact of the ongoing financial corruption at the Vatican -- from shady real estate deals to the mismanagement and milking of Peter's Pence. What faithful steward of the gifts God has given him would freely subsidize such grift, graft, and greed?
"But Christmas isn’t meant to be sepia-soaked, as the O’s remind me. It’s about looking first and hard at my reality, my darknesses, my captivities to sin, and lifting my eyes in search of the Savior coming with the key to my liberation, the one who alone can open to me heaven, to which nothing but my own choices can bar the gates." Amen.
Delighted to know the black stuff is still flowing in the Jeffrey Bernard's Coach and Horses and the Red Lion. Great pubs. My own favourites in London are The Lamb Bloomsbury and The Lamb and Flag. Next bonus show should be Ed explaining his top 5 London pub choices
Sorry, my taste of Guinness in Dublin was not an epiphany. I drink mostly stout and I like a good Chocolate. Nowadays that means Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate although I've enjoyed something similar from Rogue and Brooklyn. Blessed Christmas to all.
"Of all the specters in A Christmas Carol, the sinister Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come seems to me to be the most poorly portrayed, for it is in the future that my hope of salvation lies, terrible and awesome as He will be when he comes on the clouds."
I wonder if the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come's appearance in the story is based on the fact that Scrooge's (eternal) future at that point is not one of salvation but damnation. Would the Ghost appear in a more kindly visage to Scrooge if they shared a pint the year after Scrooge's redemption?
Guiness is the best.
That euthanasia story is so depressing. God help us.
Ed, a very Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for everything you do here, from seriousness to snark. You and JD and the team have made my life better by encountering you. Prayers this continues for as long as you wish.
I'm glad to hear that the fine people of the UK will not lack for the good stuff. (One assumes by the lack of mass riots in Dublin that the Irish themselves are well-supplied.) Might you check on a London pub called Citie of York? I had a chance to go there on a weekend trip while visiting a friend in Dublin. It might have been enhanced by the exhaustion and lack of sleep, but the pub delighted me with it's well-enclosed snugs, excellent beer, and the best bangers and mash of my life.
Maybe it’s the stomach bug hangover I’m dealing with, but after reading about the possible Guinness shortage in the UK, I felt promoted to get up and make sure my stash of G was OK. I’m glad to say that it is. And equally glad to have a stash of Negra Modelo next to it.