Lent Madness: Joseph vs. George Herbert
Posted: March 16, 2010 Filed under: Lent Madness 3 Comments
Forget fancy names like Athanasius and Augustine. This face-off pits a Joe vs. a George. But don’t let the ordinary names fool you: these are two saintly powerhouses. Who could imagine a nativity scene without Joseph? Who could imagine church hymnody without “Come my Way, my Truth, my Life?”
Joseph advanced to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen by defeating Columba; George Herbert advanced by besting Aidan. In recent action, Francis of Assisi pummeled Hilda of Whitby setting up a showdown with Aelred in the next round. View the updated tournament bracket here: Lent Madness 2010
One thing you’d never do in attempting to sell a home is bury an upside down statue of George Herbert. Though I’m not really sure that’s a point in Joseph’s favor. Joseph did “pilot” the flight into Egypt which is a big deal since who knows what would have become of Jesus if Herod had gotten his filthy paws on the infant?
As for the Quote-Off we have a man of few words vs. a man of many. Actually Joseph doesn’t say anything but nonetheless here goes!
Joseph: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Luke 2
George Herbert: “Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a way as gives us breath; Such a truth as ends all strife, Such a life as killeth death.”
Joseph: “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. Matthew 2
GH: “Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King! The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly,
The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow. Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!”
Vote!
Clergy Family Confidential 
I know, I know. It’s superstitious and not part of our tradition and makes no theological sense. However…. my son couldn’t get anyone to look at his house for months. His mother-in-law (a good RC) planted St Joseph in the front lawn and within 2 hours, a buyer showed up. So, St Joe has become a family hero. Go Joe!
Susan, if your son had read a George Herbert poem instead, he’d have gotten a better price for the house. Go George!
I think Kit Smart could have taken on and defeated Herbert.
“For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.
For he rolls upon prank to work it in.
For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself….”
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15798
You get the poetic ability of Herbert with the Gaia awareness of Francis of Assisi.
We won’t get a true champion this year because Kit Smart is not in the running.