[26] The fairies are not to be seized on, and brought to answer for the hurt they do. So also the ecclesiastics vanish away from the tribunals of civil justice.
[27] The ecclesiastics take from young men the use of reason, by certain charms compounded of metaphysics, and miracles, and traditions, and abused Scripture, whereby they are good for nothing else but to execute what they command them. The fairies likewise are said to take young children out of their cradles, and to change them into natural fools, which common people do therefore call elves, and are apt to mischief.
[28] In what shop or operatory the fairies make their enchantment, the old wives have not determined. But the operatories of the clergy are well enough known to be the universities, that received their discipline from authority pontifical.
[29] When the fairies are displeased with anybody, they are said to send their elves to pinch them. The ecclesiastics, when they are displeased with any civil state, make also their elves, that is, superstitious, enchanted subjects, to pinch their princes, by preaching sedition; or one prince, enchanted with promises, to pinch another.
[30] The fairies marry not; but there be amongst them incubi that have copulation with flesh and blood. The priests also marry not.
Great piece, so true. I converted as an adult and with hindsight I realise my catechesis was superficial and inadequate. When difficult times came, I struggled and fell by the wayside. It's on me but my lack of understanding of the faith at a deep level was the root cause. Of course at the time I didn't understand that. Long story short, I have been trying to make up for the lost time in the last few years, and knowing more really does help.
Everyones soil is different because everyones fruit will be different! I had the same impulse after I converted, and then at some point I realized I had learned enough and I needed to do more living the faith. My fruit will be different than yours! But it is great that we both have substacks where we can share our fruits with the world!
I didn’t know it was the Gospel tomorrow! Every sunday is a surprise for me right now, but chalk it up to the Holy Spirit aligning things in His own favor 😂
[26] The fairies are not to be seized on, and brought to answer for the hurt they do. So also the ecclesiastics vanish away from the tribunals of civil justice.
[27] The ecclesiastics take from young men the use of reason, by certain charms compounded of metaphysics, and miracles, and traditions, and abused Scripture, whereby they are good for nothing else but to execute what they command them. The fairies likewise are said to take young children out of their cradles, and to change them into natural fools, which common people do therefore call elves, and are apt to mischief.
[28] In what shop or operatory the fairies make their enchantment, the old wives have not determined. But the operatories of the clergy are well enough known to be the universities, that received their discipline from authority pontifical.
[29] When the fairies are displeased with anybody, they are said to send their elves to pinch them. The ecclesiastics, when they are displeased with any civil state, make also their elves, that is, superstitious, enchanted subjects, to pinch their princes, by preaching sedition; or one prince, enchanted with promises, to pinch another.
[30] The fairies marry not; but there be amongst them incubi that have copulation with flesh and blood. The priests also marry not.
The good soil idea hasn't left me, between the podcast episode and this post plus today's gospel. I have a half baked idea that I wanted to get out there in case it benefits someone.
Monks in the middle ages drained swamps and turned them into fertile land. They needed to do this in order to be self sufficient. Yet they were fully dependent on Divine Providence. This is the famous Benedictine Ora et Labora. To make good soil, we have to put in the work.
I was also thinking of compost and how the death of something can bring new life. What can we compost in our own lives to make our soil richer? Selflessness, dying to ourselves. When we die to our old self we can "compost" that part of our life to bring about fruit.
I took a run at another parable this week in the tiny pulpit section of my substack, reluctant sleuth. There was a wealthy guy who went looking for something precious...
May the Gospel have deep roots in good soil.
Beautifully crafted piece, my friend!
Amen! Thank you very much!
[26] The fairies are not to be seized on, and brought to answer for the hurt they do. So also the ecclesiastics vanish away from the tribunals of civil justice.
[27] The ecclesiastics take from young men the use of reason, by certain charms compounded of metaphysics, and miracles, and traditions, and abused Scripture, whereby they are good for nothing else but to execute what they command them. The fairies likewise are said to take young children out of their cradles, and to change them into natural fools, which common people do therefore call elves, and are apt to mischief.
[28] In what shop or operatory the fairies make their enchantment, the old wives have not determined. But the operatories of the clergy are well enough known to be the universities, that received their discipline from authority pontifical.
[29] When the fairies are displeased with anybody, they are said to send their elves to pinch them. The ecclesiastics, when they are displeased with any civil state, make also their elves, that is, superstitious, enchanted subjects, to pinch their princes, by preaching sedition; or one prince, enchanted with promises, to pinch another.
[30] The fairies marry not; but there be amongst them incubi that have copulation with flesh and blood. The priests also marry not.
https://cwspangle.substack.com/p/leviathan-part-iv-of-the-kingdom
Great piece, so true. I converted as an adult and with hindsight I realise my catechesis was superficial and inadequate. When difficult times came, I struggled and fell by the wayside. It's on me but my lack of understanding of the faith at a deep level was the root cause. Of course at the time I didn't understand that. Long story short, I have been trying to make up for the lost time in the last few years, and knowing more really does help.
Everyones soil is different because everyones fruit will be different! I had the same impulse after I converted, and then at some point I realized I had learned enough and I needed to do more living the faith. My fruit will be different than yours! But it is great that we both have substacks where we can share our fruits with the world!
Amen! Great article, and I was wondering if it was coincidence or intentional that you shared this parable when it is the Gospel reading for tomorrow?
I didn’t know it was the Gospel tomorrow! Every sunday is a surprise for me right now, but chalk it up to the Holy Spirit aligning things in His own favor 😂
Beautiful piece!
Thank you!
You’re so welcome!
[26] The fairies are not to be seized on, and brought to answer for the hurt they do. So also the ecclesiastics vanish away from the tribunals of civil justice.
[27] The ecclesiastics take from young men the use of reason, by certain charms compounded of metaphysics, and miracles, and traditions, and abused Scripture, whereby they are good for nothing else but to execute what they command them. The fairies likewise are said to take young children out of their cradles, and to change them into natural fools, which common people do therefore call elves, and are apt to mischief.
[28] In what shop or operatory the fairies make their enchantment, the old wives have not determined. But the operatories of the clergy are well enough known to be the universities, that received their discipline from authority pontifical.
[29] When the fairies are displeased with anybody, they are said to send their elves to pinch them. The ecclesiastics, when they are displeased with any civil state, make also their elves, that is, superstitious, enchanted subjects, to pinch their princes, by preaching sedition; or one prince, enchanted with promises, to pinch another.
[30] The fairies marry not; but there be amongst them incubi that have copulation with flesh and blood. The priests also marry not.
https://cwspangle.substack.com/p/leviathan-part-iv-of-the-kingdom
The good soil idea hasn't left me, between the podcast episode and this post plus today's gospel. I have a half baked idea that I wanted to get out there in case it benefits someone.
Monks in the middle ages drained swamps and turned them into fertile land. They needed to do this in order to be self sufficient. Yet they were fully dependent on Divine Providence. This is the famous Benedictine Ora et Labora. To make good soil, we have to put in the work.
I was also thinking of compost and how the death of something can bring new life. What can we compost in our own lives to make our soil richer? Selflessness, dying to ourselves. When we die to our old self we can "compost" that part of our life to bring about fruit.
Thoughts?
I took a run at another parable this week in the tiny pulpit section of my substack, reluctant sleuth. There was a wealthy guy who went looking for something precious...