It's my birthday and the first time in my life it's fallen on Good Friday. It's a solemn day on the Christian calendar, since it marks Christ's crucifixion and death at Calvary. Somber too, because consumers cannot prostrate themselves on the altar of retail outlets, sacrifice their hard earned money on entertainments beyond their own abode, nor can they enter any other establishment since everything is shut. Canonical stipulation requires that all parishioners or not, must do absolutely nothing on this holy of holy days.
In light of this 'absolutely nothing to do' except contemplate redemption hard won by Christ day and the fact that it was my birthday I decided I would celebrate in fine spirits with family and friends. We begin the festivities at 3pm today - nothing to do with the fact that Christ was supposed to have died at that time, I just thought it would be fun to have a celebratory afternoon tea and the mix of Buddhist, atheist, Krishna, Catholic, lapsed Catholic, pagan and agnostic, with a bit of Jedi Knight thrown in might make for a fun afternoon.
I note, with a smile on my face that I share my 22 April birthday with the following people: Jack Nicholson (actor), Aaron Spelling (film and television producer), John Waters (actor), Roman Coppolo (Director), Robert Elswit (cinematographer), Robin Bartlett (actress), Bettie Page (model and pin up queen), Immanuel Kant (philosopher), Guillermo Cabrera Infante (novelist), OMadame de Staël (french romanticist), Paul Davies (physicist), Robert Oppenheimer (Manhattan Project), Odilon Reddon (symbolist artist), James Stirling (architect). Peter Frampton (musician), Daniel Johns (musician), Charles Mingus (Jazz musician), Pope Alexander VIII and Antoine de Bourbon (King of France, 1600s)- fine company indeed!
Well, may I say to all readers, I hope you have a happy and restful Easter.
Happy Birthday Julie
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Julie! Hope you have a great day.
ReplyDeleteNow in your latest blog you say: "Canonical stipulation requires that all parishioners or not, must do absolutely nothing on this holy of holy days." This of course could not be further from the truth, at least as far as the Catholic tradition is concerned (a major originator of this solemn day). So much so, in fact, that Good Friday is a work day in Vatican City State and in most of the Catholic countries - Italy for example. Catholics are not required to attend the liturgical ceremonies celebrated today - it not being a holy day of obligation - but are required to fast and abstain (from meat). This is in fact why I, a devout Catholic!, will be doing whatever I want, including attending a party where I'll drinking a shit-load of alcohol (being a Catholic), but won't be eating meat - which is convenient because you're a vegetarian!
Shaun
HAPPY DAY OF BIRTH DR J!
ReplyDeleteMay your day be sacred & serene as you contemplate the wisdom of your years.
Steve - thanks mate!
ReplyDeleteShaun - I probably should have explained that when I used the word 'canonical' I was actually referring to those who rule, i.e. big business, however, glad you explained that Good Friday is still a work day for some. From my knowledge at least, devout Catholics are some of the best drinkers!
Moira - trust you, you lovely thing to come up with an absolutely gorgeous Happy Birthday wish! Mmm, contemplating my wisdom, is that anything like contemplating the navel? Sorry, sacred the day may be, but the celebration will be secular.
Happpyyy Shapppyyyy birthdayy buddy :)
ReplyDeleteNoor-ul-ain Hanif - I don't think we've met, but I thank you for your kind birthday wishes, I had a busy, but lovely day.
ReplyDelete