I get it. Now in mid-March here in Appalachia, the above flowers are NOT roses next to the church, now in many clumps and in superabundance. Neither are these roses below, next to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, now exploding altogether in honor of the Immaculate Mother of God:
But any flower is appropriate to give to the Immaculate Conception. So, there we are. They remain outside for now, since it’s Lent, and we don’t have flowers in church during Lent, as per the rubrics. However, we will have a heap of flowers in the Rectory Chapel in a few days as a prayer to our Lady for the eternal repose of a kind soul who I never met on this earth but whom I consider a good friend in heaven. For those wondering about the rubrics on this, which forbid flowers during Lent, know that I’m considering this to be an early preparation of the Altar of Repose after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening.
Also, as a disclaimer about these posts of Flowers for the Immaculate Conception, I have to say that there is a very dear reader who is helping me get insurance from the USCCA (the U.S. Concealed Carry Association). This protection-tool-related donation is conditioned on me putting up flowers for the Immaculate Conception every time I put up a gun-related post. Yes, that keeps a certain balance. But that series started well before that offer, and continued despite whether or not there have been any gun-related posts. Jesus wouldn’t have it any other way.
But the problem is that I had gotten into the habit of putting up a Flower for the Immaculate Conception close to the timing of any gun related post, and the Flowers post actually diminished a bit as the gun related posts diminished since the possibility of doing up tactical pistol courses has disappeared altogether (with the hermitage now being sold and occupied by others) – Sniff – and what with there being a shortage of ammo. My bad, absolutely. So, getting back into the Flowers series, perhaps a combined post would be appropriate.
How about some commentary on a Guns N Roses song hopefully appropriate also a Flower for the Immaculate Conception. I know, I know. That will take some imagination on my part. I’ve never been accused of not having an imagination! So, how about the Guns N Roses‘ song for an analogy about end of life. Haha. I have ZERO idea about the original intent of the lyrics, and I’m quite sure that what I will do in making for an analogy is not at what was intended. But it is what it is:
Mama take this badge from me [Sounds like a law enforcement officer giving up. He’s appealing to “Mama” to take his badge. For the sake of this “Flower for the Immaculate Conception,” let’s just say this is Mother Mary, Jesus’ good mom. But why should the officer be giving up and why turn in his badge?]
I can’t use it anymore [But why?]
Getting dark, too dark to see [Uh oh… Was he shot and he’s now bleeding out, he’s going unconscious, so that it’s too dark to see?]
Feels like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door [Does he realize that he’s heading quickly to his judgment, that he’s knocking on heaven’s door. Is he giving his badge to Mary as a token of the good works he’s done in protecting and serving at the cost of his very life? Is he calling out to Jesus’ good mom for her intercession for his soul as he goes to meet her Divine Son? This bespeaks great faith and hope, that belonging to the Holy Family is for all of us. I hope I have such faith when it’s my turn to go before Mary Immaculate’s good Son…]
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door, eh yeah
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door, eh yeah
Mama put my guns to ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin’ down
Feels like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door… /// … oh yeah … /// [skipping some un-necessary lyrics not fitting the analogy!]
Knock-knock-knockin’ on heaven’s door, wow oh yeah
Let’s get some proper perspective, you know, from the Officer’s point of view. 2,321,939 views April 23 2018 (That would be the Feast of Saint George!)
For a shorter, somewhat more intense video with an analysis of the lyrics by yours truly:
I’M BLEEDING OUT lyrics analysis
ARISE! LET US BE GOING! 