I purpose before God, man, and also before everything that pretends to be either, that I shall never see another beaten down physically, verbally or systemically without that I shall act swiftly and decisively in behalf of the oppressed.
The élite did not birth me, nourish me, strengthen me or prepare me.
I owe the élite and their low masters nothing.
I owe every earthly institution, establishment and organization nothing.
For, when all is said and done, I have no earthly nesting place or resting place.
I love all men, least of all myself, and trust no man, least of all myself, upon whom may God show the radicality of his mercy, amen.
My principles are spiritual, deep and lasting and as such cannot be purchased with silver or gold, much less diabolical cotton cash.
I shall speak up when I—when I—deem it appropriate and for as long as I feel it is needed.
Death before servility.
Death before banality.
Death before passive complicity with that which is evil or twisted.
Eternal incarceration and shame to the thugs.
Eternal liberty and praise to the honestmen.
That future generations may, through the shedding of my blood if necessary, enjoy as total a clarity of truth and an empowerment to do good as possible.
I do not negotiate with traitors to life.
I do not belong to the children of usurpers, the spawn of exploiters or the offspring of usurers.
I am possessed only of the legitimate, just and mercy-full “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3b) who also sent us his Holy Spirit to set the record straight “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8b). I am possessed only of Him who alone is Love, and of my unquenchable love for those who are yet slaves and the fools.
I shall vanquish with love and conquer with kindness or die trying.
As for myself, I will never be a victim, prisoner or slave to any man’s whims nor even to my own passions, except, God help me, of my burning love of God, neighbor, and holy liberty.
I was born free, and I will die free, in which hour may Gracious God take my soul to Himself, Who alone is due ultimate glory and whose glory consists namely in a humanity abundantly alive, awake and alert*, amen and amen.
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* “The glory of God is man fully alive” (Irenaeus of Lyons, disciple of Polycarp, disciple of John the Theologian, the Beloved Apostle of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ).
Made this video awhile back, but it still seems to do the job (plus my equipment right now will not cooperate)!
“THE DEER’S CRY”
by our father among the saints
P A T R I C K ∙ O F ∙ I R E L A N D
Bishop of Armagh and Enlightener of Ireland
I ARISE TODAY, through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness, of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today, through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism, through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial, through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension, through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today, through the strength of the love of the Cherubim, in obedience of angels, in the service of archangels, in the hope of the resurrection to meet with reward, in the prayers of patriarchs, in prediction of prophets, in preaching of apostles, in faith of confessors, in innocence of holy virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through the strength of heaven; light of sun, radiance of moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of sea, stability of earth, firmness of rock.
I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me: God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak to me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me, from the snares of devils, from temptations of vices, from every one who shall wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a multitude.
I summon today, all these powers between me and those evils, against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, against incantations of false prophets, against black laws of pagandom, against false laws of heretics, against craft of idolatry, against spells of women and smiths and wizards, against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today, against poisoning, against burning, against drowning, against wounding, so there come to me abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me, Christ in the eye of every one that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today, through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness, of the Creator of Creation.
