And Death Shall Have No Dominion*

[to commemorate All Saints Day, November 1st] 

And death shall have no dominion.* 

Dead men naked they shall be one 

With the man in the wind and the west moon; 

When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone, 

They shall have stars at elbow and foot; 

Though they go mad they shall be sane, 

Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again; 

Though lovers be lost love shall not; 

And death shall have no dominion. 

And death shall have no dominion. 

Under the windings of the sea 

They lying long shall not die windily; 

Twisting on racks when sinews give way, 

Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break; 

Faith in their hands shall snap in two, 

And the unicorn evils run them through; 

Split all ends up they shan't crack; 

And death shall have no dominion. 

And death shall have no dominion. 

No more may gulls cry at their ears 

Or waves break loud on the seashore; 

Where blew a flower may a flower no more 

Lift its head to the blows of the rain; 

Through they be mad and dead as nails, 

Heads of the characters hammer through daisies; 

Break in the sun till the sun breaks down, 

And death shall have no dominion.* 

--Dylan Thomas, 1933 [Welsh; now in public domain] 

 *Romans 6:9-- "Since Christ has been raised from the dead, the dead die no more; death has no dominion over him.

Now Thank We All Our God

                    

Now thank we all our God, 

With heart and hands and voices;

Who wondrous things has done, 

In whom this world rejoices. 

Who from our mothers' arms 

Has blessed us on our way 

With countless gifts of love, 

And still is ours today. 

1st Mother's Day

O may this bounteous God 

Through all our life be near us; 

With ever joyful hearts 

And blessed peace to cheer us;

And keep us still in grace 

And guide us when perplexed; 

And free us from all ills

In this world and the next. 

Composite image: as if my daughter and I are at the same youthful age in heaven

All praise and thanks to God 

The Father now be given; 

The Son, and Him Who reigns 

With Them in highest heaven: 

The one eternal God, 

Whom earth and heaven adore; 

For thus it was, is now

And shall be evermore. 

--Rev. Martin Rinkart, ~1636; translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

    Rev. Martin Rinkart was a German Lutheran pastor during the 30 Years War. The war was a series of conflicts between Roman Catholic and Protestants across Europe from 1618 to 1648.  The conflict raged across much of Europe but was particularly devastating in the German provinces.

     Pastor Rinkart wrote this hymn as the war was nearing its end.  He had been exposed to some of its tremendous horrors, including disease, which often grows out of warfare.  Still, he wrote this hopeful hymn.  It is based on Wisdom of ben Sirach 50:22-24, from the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha are books that are considered Scripture by Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox but not Lutherans and other Protestants.  Martin Luther had said these books were worth reading, though not canonical Scripture.  Yet Rinkart wrote his hymn based on one of these passages. 

     This is one of my all-time favorite hymns.  Sometimes it is nice to read hymns as poems.  This year, it is posted for Mother's Day, initially, because of the reference to "mothers' arms." 

The Destin Log: Story Behind the Song

Awake My Heart with Gladness

                                                             

Awake, my heart, with gladness, 

See what today is done; 

Now, after gloom and sadness, 

Comes forth the glorious Sun. 

My Savior there was laid 

Where our bed must be made 

When to the realms of light 

Our spirit wings its flight. 

The foe in triumph shouted 

When Christ lay in the tomb; 

But, lo, he now is routed, 

His boast is turned to gloom. 

For Christ again is free; 

In glorious victory He 

Who is strong to save 

Has triumphed o'er the grave. 

This is a sight that gladdens; 

What peace it doth impart! 

Now nothing ever saddens 

The joy within my heart. 

No gloom shall ever shake, 

No foe shall ever take, 

The hope which God's own Son 

In love for me hath won. 

Now hell, its prince, the devil 

Of all their powers are shorn; 

Now I am safe from evil, 

And sin I laugh to scorn. 

Grim Death with all his might 

Cannot my soul affright; 

He is a powerless form, 

Howe'er he rave and storm. 

The world against me rageth 

Its fury I disdain; 

Though bitter war it wageth 

Its work is all in vain. 

My heart from care is free, 

No trouble troubles me. 

Misfortune now is play 

And night is bright as day. 

Now I will cling forever 

To Christ, my Savior true; 

My Lord will leave me never, 

Whate'er He passeth through. 

He rends Death's iron chain, 

He breaks through sin and pain, 

He shatters hell's dark thrall, 

I follow Him through all. 

To halls of heavenly splendor 

With Him I penetrate; 

And trouble ne'er may hinder 

Nor make me hesitate. 

Let tempests rage at will, 

My Savior shields me still; 

He grants abiding peace 

And bids all tumult cease. 

He brings me to the portal 

That leads to bliss untold, 

Whereon this rhyme immortal 

Is found in script of gold: 

"Who there My cross hath shared* 

Finds here a crown prepared; 

Who there with Me hath died 

Shall here be glorified." 

--Paul Gerhardt 1648 ("Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden"); translated John Kelly, 1867

*Matthew 16:24-26 & Revelation 2:10

Stars of the Morning

--St. Michael's & All Angels Day will be celebrated September 29th

Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright, 
Filled with celestial splendor and light, 

These that, where night never followeth day, 

Raise the Thrice Holy* song ever alway. 

These are Thy servants, these are Thine own, 

God of the Armies, the nearest Thy throne; 

These are Thy messengers, these dost Thou send, 

Help of the helpless ones, us to defend. 

"Who like the Lord?" thunders Michael the chief; 

God sends us others to protect us from grief; 

Through Mary at Nazareth, God promised peace, 

As Gabriel, the light of God, announced the release. 

Then, when the earth was first poised in mid space, 

Then, when the planets first sped on their race, 

Then, when were ended the six days’ employ, 

Then all the sons of God shouted for joy. 

Fidelis Schabet, public domain

Still let them guard us; still let them fight,

Lord of angelic hosts, battling for right; 

Till, where their anthems they ceaselessly pour, 

We with the angels may bow and adore. 

 --Joseph the Hymnographer (Φωστηρες της ουσιας, 810[?]-886[?]); translated by John M. Neale, 1862; adapted by c.m.b., 2024  

*Song to the Trinity: Father, Son & Holy Spirit

Joseph the Hymnographer

John Mason Neale

 

Poetry in Motion

 

       Squirrel monkeys move with energy (and seeming joy) through life.  Full-grown monkeys are small enough; the babies are really tiny.  These creatures are my favorite zoo animal, capturing my attention even more than the big, grand and striking animals.  (Generally, I like most zoo exhibits.)  

       These photos are from the Wildlife World Zoo in Phoenix, AZ and the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, TX.  Both of these are private zoos. These seem to more commonly house squirrel monkeys in modern times; it seems the bigger, public zoos often don't bother with these charming little creatures, which are native to the tropical forests of Cental and South America.

       What must things have been like, interacting with monkeys in the Garden of Eden?  What will our interactions with animals be like in heaven? 

Squirrel Monkeys: Oakland Zoo

Lamb of God

 "Look, the Lamb of God,

Who takes away the sin of the world!"  

      (John 1:29b, 36b)

So said John the Baptist,

The voice of one who calls out. (Isaiah 40:3)

He is the Lamb of God,

Not the Ram of God.

"Your Lamb must be unblemished,

A one-year-old male..."  

     (Exodus 12:5a; Leviticus l4:10; Ezekiel 46:13)

Most things are cleaned with blood:

Without the shedding of blood,

There is no forgiveness.  (Hebrews 9:22)

Make One still young the offering,

The last of such bloody suffering; (Daniel 9:27)

Yet His soul shall rise to see

The spiritual children He brought to be.  (Isaiah 53:10)

The Ancient Lamb not very old;

With blood worth more than even gold:

It sets the human captives free

From sin's eternal misery.  (I Peter 1:19; Exodus, etc)

How much more will the Blood of Christ,--

He who offered Himself to God

Through the Eternal Spirit

As an unblemished sacrifice--

Cleanse our consciences from dead works

To serve the Living God?  (Hebrews 9:14)

As a lamb to the slaughter He was led;

And as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

So He did not open His mouth.  (Isaiah 53:7b)

"And I, 

If I be lifted up from the earth,

I will draw all people to myself."  (John 12:32) 

So taught the Lamb

Before His time had come.

"The Son of Man 

Must suffer many things.

He must be killed,

And on the third day raised to life."

  (Luke 9:21, 43, 18:31; Mark 9:32; Matthew 17:23)

Myriads of myriads, 

Thousands of thousands,

Angels and elders 

All saying with a loud voice,

"Worthy is the Lamb,

Who was slaughtered,

To receive power and wealth and wisdom

And might and honor and glory and blessing!"  

     (Revelation 5:12)  

For the Lamb,

The One in the center of the throne,

Will shepherd them.

And He will lead them 

To Living Fountains of Waters.  (Revelation 7:17a)

                 --translations & short verse c.m.b. (c) 2024

Perfect Love

     This is another year that Valentine's Day falls on Ash Wednesday.  A real reminder of the sacrificial love of all the Saint Valentines.  (See also my other blog for some Valentine's thoughts)

For All the Saints

All Saints Day is November 1st.  It is a day to remember those who have departed the world before us and are in Christ's presence forever.  

My favorite departed saint to remember is my maternal grandmother, whose photos you will find scattered throughout.  In Lutheran thinking (following how the Bible uses the term), all Christians are "saints" because Christ has made us holy by saving us. We don't live it out perfectly (sadly, we often don't live it out well at all), but Christ is the Perfect One, the Holy One who makes us that way in God's eyes. 

For all the saints 

Who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith 

Before the world confessed;
Thy name, O Jesus, 

Be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, 

Their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain 

In the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, 

Their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, 

Fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, 

They in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, 

For all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But then there breaks 

A still more glorious day:
The saints triumphant 

Rise in bright array;
The King of Glory 

Passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, 

From ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl 

Streams in the countless host,
in praise of Father, 

Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia!  --William Walsham How, 1864

W.W. How was born in 1823 in England and died in 1897 in Ireland.  He was an Anglican priest who rose to be a bishop.  

A Mighty Fortress

 

     October 31st is Reformation Day for Lutherans*.  In honor of this, here is the best known hymn by Martin Luther for you to read as a poem.  It is based on Psalm 46 and was written around 1529.  Some people think Luther wrote it in remembrance of his friend Leonhard Kaiser, who was martyred due to the Reformation.   

     The translation from German included here is closer to the original German, a little less like the modern hymn.   It is based somewhat on literal translations and somewhat on the known translations, with adaptations by this blogger.

     The picture included is the Luther's Rose**, designed by him.  It is rich in symbolism.  

1) A mighty Fortress is our God,

A good Defense and Weapon.

He helps us free from every need.   

That has us now o'ertaken.

The old evil enemy

Works still more earnestly.

His pow'r and ploys are great;

His armor is cruel hate:

On earth is not his likeness.

2) With our own strength is nothing done,

Else quick our loss effected.

But for us fights the suitable One, 

Whom God Himself elected. 

You ask who is He who came?

Christ Jesus is His name,

Of heav'nly hosts the Lord, 

God's only Son adored:

The battlefield He must hold.

3)  Though all  the world with devils were filled

All threat'ning to devour us,

We would not fear, for God has willed

They cannot overpow'r us.

The prince of worldly power,

Howe'er he might glower,

We will not be budged:

Since he's already judged,

One little word can bring him down.

4) The Word they still shall let remain

And not be thankful for it.

He is with us according to plan

With His good gifts and Spirit.

Were they to take our life,

Goods, honor, child and wife,

Let them go away.

They still will have no sway:

The Kingdom shall remain for us.

     ---Martin Luther, c. 1529; translation by various; adapted c.m.b., 2023

*Reformation Day, October 31st.  Centuries before this, the Roman Catholic church had taken over the Druid observance of Samhain. The Druids believed the barrier between the worlds of dead and living was "thinnest" at midnight on October 31st. The Church repurposed November 1st as All Saints' Day. October 31st became known as "All Hallows' Eve" in English. Luther chose the day before All Saints Day, by tradition, to post his 95 Theses (statements) in German on a church door, calling for a debate among church leaders and scholars. These were translated and sparked the Protestant Reformation.

**Luther's Rose:  this was first sketched by Luther around 1516 to 1520 and fully designed at the request of Johann Friedrich, Elector of Saxony. The black cross represents Jesus' sacrifice, the blackness symbolizing our sin. The red heart symbolizes our faith; Luther said that because of our sin, the heart ought to be black, yet, due to Christ, the heart is not utterly destroyed.  The heart is on a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort and peace:  white is the color of angels and spirits.  The sky blue field symbolizes joy and that faith is the beginning of future heavenly joy.  The gold ring symbolizes precious eternity, which has no beginning and end.  

This rendering has the triple phrase often used by Lutherans, sometimes written in Latin: sola fide, sola gratia, sola Scriptura.  A fourth could be added:  solus Christus, Christ alone.

Waterfall

      These photos are from a hike into Zapata Falls in south central Colorado last year.  The waterfalls are in the Sangre de Cristo ("Blood of Christ") Range within the Rocky Mountains.  (For more on our trip there, see the post from October, 2020.)

      Some fresh translations from Psalm 42 add to the reflections.

7) Deep calls unto deep

At the noise of Your waterfalls; 

And all your waves and billows

Over me have passed.

8) In the daytime will Yahweh command His lovingkindness,

And in the night will his song be with me--

   a prayer to the God of my life...

11) Why, O my soul, are you cast down,

And why are you disquieted within me? 

Have hope in God,

For yet shall I praise Him,

The salvation of my expression [literally 'face']

And my God.    --Sons of Korah  

Notice how the falls spill from rocks high above.  Hikers are not allowed in that area.

    For fans of the Chronicles of Narnia, which are Christian allegories, waterfalls are in many stories.  C.S. Lewis' upbringing in parts of Ireland contributed to his depictions of Narnia.  I like occasionally mentioning Narnia in this blog because Lewis does such an amazing job describing the landscape.  It is part of the great joy of going to Narnia. The Hollywood productions (as Hollywood will do) focus so much on the great breathtaking near escapes that the amount of time just absorbing natural wonders is lost.

     Lewis does mentions a number of waterfalls throughout The Chronicles of Narnia. The most well-known is in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, where the Beavers take the Pevensie children along the ravine below a waterfall in order to avoid being caught by the White Witch.  She traveled by sled and couldn't follow them down the narrow space. 

    The Great Waterfall is at the furthest western limit of Narnia.  Falling over spectacular cliffs into Cauldron Pool, it becomes the source of the Great River. 

    In the last book. The Last Battle, the trickster ape, Shift, lives near these falls.  He finds a lion skin in Cauldron Pool and tricks his foolish donkey friend, Puzzle, into wearing it and pretending to be Aslan, the Great Lion (the metaphor for Jesus).  This great hoax brings down Narnia.  

    At the end of Narnia, as the move into ever greater, more beautiful eternal Narnias, Aslan's dearest go UP the great waterfall, in a way they never could have done in their previous lives.  (Imagine climbing those!)  I could not find any artist renditions of the beloved going up the Narnian falls, so I will leave you with these final Zapata Falls photos.  My husband took these.  If you look close, you can see me in blue shirt with the giant straw hat, which I refer to as my "ugly potato farmer's hat."  (This is not to imply that potato farmers are ugly, only that my hat is.)  It has warded off skin cancer, though!  And then he took one of me closer up, getting the photos you saw above.  What a day it would have been if we COULD have ascended the falls!