Data for Thursday, January 22, 2009

Saint of the Day --- Vincent of Saragossa ( ? - 304), Deacon and Martyr --

Scripture of the Day --- Mark 4:30-32 And [Jesus] said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is [one of] the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all [forbs], and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." (RSV, edited) [Note: The term "forb" is used to describe durable non-woody plants. The term "shrub" in the Bible connotes a woody plant, a category that does not include the mustard plant. The term "smallest of all the seeds" must be interpreted with respect to the natural history knowledge of the first century Judaean. I think the point is that if you seek the kingdom of God ,you will sow the seed for an outstanding life that will benefit others.]

Word of the Day --- wrangled -- 1) quarreled noisily, angrily or disruptively; 2) herded and cared for horses, or other livestock

Place of the Day --- Edendale, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa -- 29°38'54"S, 30°17'40"E - expressway exit / (former?) railway station - a central point in a area of dispersed rural settlement, 7 miles SW of Pietermaritzburg and 46 miles ENE of the state capital, Durban.

Zeitgeist --- "gathering clouds and rising storms" This would seem to be the phrase that President Obama's speech writer must have originally had in mind for the second paragraph of his inaugural address. It hangs together and makes a strong impression --- a little too strong evidently. In the actual speech a less pessimistic wording was used.