rain and the rhinoceros

For more hysterically funny cartoons like this one, check out Andy Singer’s site.

H/T Natasha Meyers

Natasha Mayers  

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. One of the scripture readings for the day is Isaiah 2:1-5 which reads: 

2:1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2:2 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.2:3 Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”    

For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.2:5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!   

 As we begin Advent let us lift up our broken and war torn world to God in prayer. Let us remember your death at the hands of imperial power and find hope in your overcoming of death, the greatest evil.  The following image is of the side of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Sorry it is so small. For a larger version click here.

First Sunday of Advent, Year A: This beautifully detailed representation of the Isaiah passage for this Sunday depicts two metalsmiths. The one on the right has a large supply of swords that he has been breaking with a hammer; the broken swords fall on the floor. The smithy on the left picks up the broken pieces and works them into their new use in the forge, fed with air by the bellows on the far left.  (Description of image from Vanderbilt Library)

I thought this was a fantastic photograph and had to post it. Look at Condi’s face!

Natasha Mayers is Common Dreams’ artist-in-residence.

A close family friend of mine, Barbara Lea, just completed a captivating art project in honor of United States women killed while on duty in Iraq. I encourage you to visit her site to see the display she calls “Born to War.”

The following are pictures from the Eyes Wide Open exhibit sponsored by the American Friends Committee. It recently traveled around the U.S and I had a chance to see the exhibit while it was being presented at St. Catherine’s in St. Paul. It was very powerful.