Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · 5d

Even thought it's properly a Christmas thing, I always associate O Magnum Mysterium with the feast of St Francis. Same vibes, I guess. O great mystery and wonderful sacrament that the animals should see the newborn Lord laying in a manger!

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · 5d

Pet blessing at the kids' school this morning. Bless the LORD all ye turtles of the LORD.

Priest blessing a turtle with holy water.

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · 12d

OTD 225 years ago in Boston, "America's first composer" William Billings died at age 53. I first heard his music at Sacred Harp singings, and especially love "Easter Anthem" Recently I've enjoyed listening to the anthem "Be Glad then America" which seems positively prophetic
youtu.be/YxvjFJeDvyo?...

Gregg Smith Singers - William Billings - The Continental Harmony

YouTube video by James Duncan

youtu.be

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · 18d

Watching the Hoosiers grind Illinois into dust #iufb

a man on a football field is being interviewed by curt cignetti

ALT: a man on a football field is being interviewed by curt cignetti

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Matthew Stevenson

opera trinitatis ad extra indivisa sunt @mtrkdjoyce.bsky.social · Sep 8

I have now been an episcopalian long enough that hymns I had never heard before becoming an episcopalian are familiar enough and long-known enough to have nostalgia about

getting older rules

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Sep 3

However, I was soon given the boot, and after a period of wandering between various churches, I was eventually confirmed in the Episcopal Church by the Rt. Rev. Catherine Waynick, so I'd say things worked out alright.

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Sep 3

Blessed Phoebe! I got into so much trouble at my old church because I said from the pulpit that "diakonos of the church" might mean that Phoebe was a deacon. I wasn't brave enough to venture what "Junia.. outstanding among the apostles" could imply.

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Reposted by Matthew Stevenson

Dave Langille @cdnusboy.bsky.social · Sep 3

Eternal God, who raised up Phoebe as a deacon in your church and minister of your Gospel; Grant us that same grace that, assisted by her prayers and example, we too may take the Gospel to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord...⚓

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Reposted by Matthew Stevenson

Tim Amor @timamor.bsky.social · Aug 27

It’s the guns.

They protect the guns
(& not the children)
because they love the guns
(more than children).

Empty thoughts,
empty prayers,
children sacrificed,
rinse & repeat.

It’s the guns
(& the people protecting the guns).

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Reposted by Matthew Stevenson

Josiah Hawthorne @josiahhawthorne.bsky.social · Aug 27

This graphic goes hard.

O LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD + HAVE MERCY ON US +

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Reposted by Matthew Stevenson

Bill Corbett @billcorbett.bsky.social · Aug 27

This was written in 2012, right after Sandy Hook. Everything should have changed after that day, or on so many days before and after.

Nothing HAS changed. Our Moloch forbids it!

www.nybooks.com/online/2012/...

Our Moloch | Garry Wills

The gun is our Moloch. We sacrifice children to him daily—sometimes, as at Sandy Hook, by directly throwing them into the fire-hose of bullets from our protected private killing machines, sometimes by...

www.nybooks.com

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 27

The pit in your stomach as you read about another school shooting, having dropped off your own kids at their school a few hours ago. Lord have mercy

Anne M. Carpenter @catholickungfu.bsky.social · Aug 27

“Dozens of frantic parents dumped their cars on side streets and sprinted toward the school.”

Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · Aug 27

Dozens of squads en route to Annunciation Church, casualties reported.

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 25

Played Flip 7 4 times on 2025-08-23 boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com

Flip 7

Score the cards in front of you, or take another card, risking everything you hold?

boardgamegeek.com

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 25

Played Citadels on 2025-08-23 boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/478 #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com

Citadels

Bishop, warlord, thief, king: change roles, build your city and hinder your rivals.

boardgamegeek.com

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 22

Then will the Lord be jealous for his Land
And pity his people, and say
"Behold, your Pharaohs and Achans and Ahabs are no more."

Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 22

open.spotify.com/track/5jgrdv...

Be glad then America - anthem

William Billings, University Of Maryland Chorus, Antal Doráti · Be Glad Then, America! · Song · 1976

open.spotify.com

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 22

I'm particularly struck by the inclusion of Achan in the roster of evil men that trouble our land

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 22

Listening to a collection of William Billings' work and came across this anthem that I'd not heard before. It certainly struck a chord!

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 22

Mourn, mourn, mourn, mourn
Pharaoh and Ahab prevail in our Land
Mourn, mourn, mourn, mourn
Achans abound and trouble the Land
Mourn, mourn, mourn, mourn
Darkness and clouds of awful shade
Hang pendant by a slender thread
Waiting commission from God, the upholder, to fall and distress us

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Aug 2

Picked up this new Luminary for Illimat at #Gencon! Joan of Arc, inspired by the Jules Bastien- Lepage painting

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Jul 30

Petitioners to the Third Circuit are now advised to wear garlic around their necks

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Jul 26

It's a great game!

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Jul 26

Jacket looks nice! Also we're going to need a shelf tour of your board games. Looks like a solid collection

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Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Jul 20

Played Art Society today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com

Art Society

Collect and arrange paintings on your wall while affecting the trends of tomorrow.

boardgamegeek.com

Matthew Stevenson @mstevenson.bsky.social · Jul 11

The office readings in 1 Samuel have me wondering if anyone remembers the short lived NBC show "Kings" from about 15 years ago. It was a modern reimagining of the Saul/David story. I was apparently one of the few people who watched it since it was canned before the first season had fully aired.

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