One Year in the Life of a Part Time Hermit - September - Of floors, bracken and thunderstorms
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2024
- 0:00 Early morning
3:13 Making jam
5:20 Garden work
9:33 Bathroom upgrade
19:31 Garden extension liberation effort
28:00 I tripped over a mushroom
30:28 Lightning Storms
32:44 Harvesting
34:15 2200 bulbs for the spring
38:33 Closing reflection
Concluding reflection in text format:
The cows are returning to the valley. Summer is at its end.
As peaceful as these mountains seem in days like these, they have witnessed many an injustice. Since the middle ages they were home to the Waldensians, a religious movement which in its beginnings had parallels to the Franciscan reform. The latter went on to have a long lasting transformative effect on the Catholic Church which then was experiencing a crisis in many places. The former went a different path. The Waldensians take their name from their founder, Peter Waldo, a merchant from Lyon, who, struck by the gospel - much like St. Francis - and living about the same time - renounced his wealth and became poor. He set out with his followers to preach Christ as he understood him. In those times there was much decadence of churchmen ripe for criticism. Popular movements of different strips sprang up everywhere. Peter Waldo himself was cited to Rome but the result of the questioning was inconclusive. Only later were some of the tenets his followers spread declared to be in conflict with the faith received from the apostles. Movements - beginning with intentions of reform - often radicalized. They denounced what was deemed holy by others, absconded from society or what bound it together. Attacks, conflicts, warring and persecutions followed. When I look out from my place into the plains below, I can see both places where Waldensians murdered Dominican Friars and where Waldensian families were expelled from their houses or massacred by troops of the Catholic rulers of Savoy.
History - as well as the present - is full of violence. We may decry it, we may even believe ourselves to be above it, but in the end we are all sons and daughters of murders, thieves, rapists, of intrigue and infidelity. If you think that you are not, you are simply not going back far enough in your family tree.
There is something very sober about the Christian religion. While sometimes accused of dreaming up the heavens, its starting point is the undeniably earthly fact that man is touched by sin. Its faith may proclaim with joy the hope of man's redemption, but only after being convicted of his fall.
When Christianity was rejected in the Enlightenment this was almost the first thing that went overboard. The philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote: "there is no original perversity in the human heart." He romanticized the “natural state of man”. It was "civilization, institutions such as monogamy and private property", that inflamed the passions and destroyed the peace. Unspoiled man was friend to all creation and enemy to none - except maybe when hungry. He echoed naive ideas described earlier in the story of the “noble savage” and was succeeded by centuries of fantasies about the intrinsic goodness of man. But at any time, any common maid could have informed those romantics and philosophers that a child left to its own will and devices will not develop into an angel but into a demon. It will not be loving and kind, but an unbearable narcissist of gravitational proportion. Nor would any honest look into our human past warrant such optimism. The native Americans as much as the Maori of New Zealand committed massacres on a regular basis. In fact 90% of buried human remains from the 13th century in an area in the Southwest of the United States show trauma from blows to heads or limbs, suggesting to archaeologists a violent explanation about how the population dwindled from 40.000 to zero in just 3 decades - and that more than three centuries before any European ever walked there. Natives of Borneo were headhunters, Aztecs enslaved surrounding tribes and offered them as human sacrifice. The Polynesians fought constantly, maintaining a highly restrictive society that bequeathed us the word taboo. You could be killed for seemingly slight offenses.
The problem is not that we dream of paradise - a paradise we may have lost if old stories are to be believed. The real problems begin, when we judge ourselves able to realize it. “The weakness of all Utopias is this, that they take the greatest difficulty of man and assume it to be overcome, and then give an elaborate account of the overcoming of the smaller ones. They first assume that no man will want more than his share, and then are very ingenious in explaining whether his share will be delivered by motor-car or balloon.“ Chesterton wrote these words in 1905. He wrote them before the worst fruits of utopist thinking ravaged the earth. For the most costly aberrations from faith and reason were yet to be attempted on a large scale in the decades that followed: Nationalsocialism and Communism. Though bitter enemies they were both children of the same mother - the belief in the perfectibility of man - and that we could the ones doing the perfecting. The one subscribed to social Darwinism and tried to find and breed the race of super humans. The other used the power of the state to engineer the perfect, peaceful, international society of equality and equity.
Each of these utopias by itself left more than 50 million dead. You cannot, after all make an omelette without cracking a few eggs, it was said. How cynical, And we are not out of the woods yet. Transhumanism is the next project of futurists to design a better humanity. I have no doubt that its success will be in the wake of more tragedy.
It is probably not by accident that one of the oldest human stories tells of a garden and man's wish to be like God; they do not respect the given reality but want to determine themselves good and evil.
Of all the futures that lie before us, I hope we will chose, every day, one grounded not in the fancies of dreams and the power of the will but in reality. And that reality acknowledges our weakness. It is not - at least in the Christian perspective - a fatalist and hopeless reality. Christ, after all, is seen as its savior. But the path he lines out is not one of working towards self-redemption and an earthly paradise, but one of sanctification. In the biblical view that which is holy, that which is sanctus - or in Hebrew kadosh means literally that which is set apart. To sanctify your life means to set it apart. Apart from what? From what the New Testament quite sternly calls “the world”. Man's final end is not found among the finite and perishable possessions, nor in the greatest of the societies of man, not even among the beautiful grandeurs of creation. It is found in a communion with Him who transcends all and thus can be the end of all. We are to be in the world but not of the world, according to Christ. We need to understand ourselves as pilgrims passing through. We have to look beyond the physical - to what is therefore called metaphysical,
Without metaphysics all that is left is politics. And politics devoid of the right metaphysics for all the good desires, hopes and dreams of man leads in the end to a very earthly hell. Let us not go there … again.
Thank for speaking the honest truth. I have thought of myself until today as a refugee. an immigrant, a seeker. With these words you shared, I now realize my truth which is I am a pilgrim, in the world but not of the world. I am passing through with kindred souls as yourself. Wherever you may be, I am your brother.
A perfect reflection for this 1st week of Lent. I am a 74 yr. old Catholic widow. I live not far from the Trappist Monastery in Kentucky. I have always been fascinated by Thomas Merton. My goal this Lent is to stay true, stay on track to my Lenten promise, to be still, listen, and reacquainted myself with God. Love the nature in your videos. This morning we woke up to 1 or more of snow, so seeing all of the beautiful butterflies was a delight. Remembering you in prayer, Father. Be careful on those steep hills. Peace be with you.
Oooooo, the fruitcake and cheese made there is beyond wonderful.. Enjoy!
God bless you and may you be strong on lent, may it bring you close to God.
God bless all in Jesus name 🙏
❤
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I lived in Midway! Small world and I too hope Johannes stays upright & doesn't tumble heels over head entangled by brambles! ❤
Very nice words inviting a deep reflection
Thank you for your reflections. Let us not go there again. !!!!
Loving every video. I got chills watching the sunrise in the beginning and the storms mid way. Exceptional beauty.
Also trying not to feel sad that there are only 3 more videos in your series. I've come to look forward to Saturday afternoons, knowing your video will be in my feed.
God bless you, Father.
Hopefully, you can at least grant us your words of wisdom every Sunday. What a blessing.
@@lfuentes4098 Hear Hear
I too dread this series being over I hope you can make more
Thank you Father J. for your stories and reflection. I know you are a busy man but we would love if you will continue coming to us weekly with your reflections. We need to hear more of these in this day and time. At least I know I do.
The created trying to become the Creator. Tonight’s reflection was my favourite so far.God Bless Fr. Ave Maria purisima.
Your reflection left me sad tonight. Because it is so true. I am of an age where hopefully I will not see the next world upheaval.
I do hope that you continue to share your experiences weekly with us! I’ve really enjoyed your work, the thoughts you’ve shared and seeing aspects of a different culture. Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful life perched on the mountainside and for your poetic words. You are a gifted man.
I am not a religious person, however I do find your videos very calming and relaxing, Thank you.
When planting edible bulbs, put a sprinkle of hot pepper flakes in with the bulb. It does a great job of making the bulbs unsuitalbe for mice and squirrels to eat.
When other people make you think, truly think about thmselves and the world around them, they're having an impact on your life. Your closing reflections week after week have a positive impact on me. One cannot change their past for we all have things we wish we have done differently, and we will still make mistakes, striving to be better impact those around us to build a kinder world that we leave behind when we pass. Thank you for thoughts, they are gift I truly and deeply appreciate.
Us, two people who left the church, taking part in Don Johannes mass every Sunday, will miss the reflections.
We hope your cinematic talent and the documentary of the development of the hermitage will be continuing in any form. Much love from the Ruhrgebiet.
You give new meaning to living on the edge. Your company is always a pleasure. Thanks
"Die Zeit ist kurz oh Mensch sei weise, Nur einmal machst du diese Reise, laß eine gute Spur zurück."
Very powerful message today.Beautiful💖
The floor was a surprise & it’s great. I love it.
The mushroom looked so delicious & last but certainly not least, the reflection was impactful.
Thank you for sharing your months. It’s so inspiring & meditative
Wonderful cinematography, and so calming to watch your days unfold. Thank you Johanna’s
A wonderful video and a moment of thoughtful words. May the bulbs from my former homeland do justice come spring. Tks.
As we've come to expect now Johannes, this was another wonderful glimpse of your life, faith and skills combined in a beautiful video. I'd never get any work done with views and experiences like that on my doorstep...I'd just be watching the changing skies, the storms, the dawning of each new day. You are a masterful communicater, I can hear my heart and mind creaking open to listen to your words, your thoughts. Thank you again for sharing with us. The work it must take to get these films out to us is unbelievable, on top of all the physical work you are doing. Like many others I would love for you to continue to share your thoughts and beliefs with us on a regular basis, but I appreciate that that would take an enormous amount of your time. Please keep sharing with us, even if it's only occasionally. Thank you for all your work. You simplify the chaos that is the world for me. You bring me calm and peace.
Love how you never waste God’s given time by gardening and only improving what needs it. Nice surprise to see your good neighbor, Maartijn, visit in this video! Thank you always for the gifts of inspiration and thought. 🙏🏼🤗
Romans 3:23"there is none righteous,no,not one" Thank you for telling the truth...about me,and everyone. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice to make us at peace with God, who alone is righteous and holy.
thanks, I enjoy your video, your craft , and the reflections.
Your closing thoughts on these videos are the seeds of generous fruit. Be well.
Thank-you for creating and sharing with us, these videos never disappoint! ❤️🙏🏻
That view with the thunder at 30:30 is something I would never tire of. A beautiful display of natures forces.
👋 👋 hi FATHER J,
PLEASE ,please 🙏 🙏 🙏 please continue with your beautiful series.ur thoughts, ur reflections...❤...ty for sharing your journey...
Yes, life is filled with 😈, UNKIND people..I chose not to be one of those, EVER...it breaks my heart to see what's going on daily in this world...wars, insanity of treating each other.😢.....
A BIG BEAR HUG to MARTIJN❤....
CONTINUE ON ,Y'ALL..
YES, LENT started...
Stay warm..ty for all you share with your internet world..
Yes, bathroom floor ,BELLISMO❤..😊
Father please don’t fall off your mountain! The bathroom floor is lovely, your father would be pleased with all your efforts! The storm shots were incredible and powerful!
You have opened up a new world for me Johannes, so looking forward to Sunday morning when I have my morning coffee and listen to you where you open up new avenues of thought for me. Thank you Johannes
I loved to see you giving thanks before your delicious plate of mushrooms cooked in butter, one of our favourite meals. My late father always said grace before our meal, something that has stayed with me all my life. God bless you and keep you safe Johannes. 🙏🙏
Thank you for your understanding and knowledge to help me think about life. 🙏🇬🇧🇫🇷🇪🇺🍷🦎🐛🌻
Your videos are so inspirational. I look forward to each episode. Thank you.
It’s all about relationships, not religion. It’s all about faith, not confession. Let’s walk towards the truth, and we all will find peace. Thank you Johannes for sharing your thoughts.
Oh wow beautiful words to live by , praise God almighty our protector provider and refuge . So be it .
Always thankful for your beautiful, inspiring videos, Johannes. The bathroom floor is gorgeous!❤
"Dutch Postal Service" 😂. It makes me happy that you two kind people are neighbours. Das ist einfach schön.
Love your painting of Christ! You inspire me in all you do. The bathroom floor was genius and beautiful. May God bless you and keep you as you do to others.
How appropriate that Christ is there in all his Glory residing in Don Johannes's garden amongst the lovely Jerusalem artichokes😊
I was at school in England with a wonderful Austrian girl with the same surname as Johannes. She too painted beautiful Religious scenes with vibrant colours and a very similar painstaking style...like a wonderful Medieval "Book of Hours" . I wonder if they are related.
Thank you for sharing those Alpine night skies! I love your bathroom floor also --- very organic. Those clouds in North Dakota were holding hands.
This reflection was particularly poignant for me. Thank you for your works and words. I, too, hope that people choose to serve God and love one another understanding that we all exist in a fallen state. As part of one body, we have the gifts that the Lord has given us to help each other as He intended. Let His will be done!
My favorite way to end my day, you always give me such peace. Thank you Father happy Lent . Your words at the end are so very true ❤
Thank you for another great video. Can’t wait to see how the mice enjoyed the bulbs. 😂 Maybe a few will be popping out soon!
I admire your effort and work, and I can see the value of living the way you do, even more it is wonderful to see that you do not let it go to waste but educate others by example. More people should do that.
Hope ,North Dakota was where my grandfather grew up. He went to school until the 8th grade there, then he started working as a farm hand. His family is the one who was Austrian before they settled in Belgium. He loved Hope North Dakota as far as I could tell.
Thank you for sharing the moment Johannes, your videos and especially reflections are inspiring. Peace and Prayers to you 🙏🏼
"Dear Lord, save me from all your followers - except one - he lives on the side of a mountain in Italy...." What a beautiful human being!!!!!
Beautiful... thank you! (The sunrise was one of the most stunning I've ever seen.)
What a joy to hear simple truths in these times thank you for reminding me of these simple truths , Jesus is my grace . Bless you dear soul for bringing these truths to us all .
I enjoy your videos. At the 8:15 minute mark I noticed you were tying up some tall yellow flowers. They appeared to be similar to Sunchokes / Jerusalem Artichokes that I grow. Thank you for taking time to record, edit and post your videos. Bless you, young man!
loving your videos so much, I look forward to one every week. i was crackin up at the planting of bulbs about possibly feeding the mice the likes of which no one has ever seen! my 90 yr old father passed away last year around this time and was devoutly catholic. I believe he would have aspired to live life as you do if he had not had 8 children with my mother. lol. I miss him every day but take joy in your videos to remember him! Thank you so much for making them. ❤
Looks like you're busy
The floor is now gorgeous
That's right, the warmed egg cracked and came out.
I had to sacrifice one bird.
The truth of the earth is powerful
Amen, Johanne, amen! ❤
Really still enjoying these weekly videos and the nuggets of contemplation, wisdom, history and in this case even warning As a home school father I worry about their future. Yet as we know there is real hope in Christ and we are ony pilgrims as you said.
I really like that bathroom floor. Something I haven't seen before. Finally, I will look to buy a book of these writings if you have. I'm remembering now there is something to help put a little bread on your table. God bless Father Johanas
What an enjoyable video. And your use of the cut-off branches really improved the bathroom floor! Thank you for sharing all your hard work and thoughtful words with us each week. ✨️ Robyn from the soggy Central California Sierras
I have just learned that the round cuts from branches are called "cookies" in the US. Your "cookie" cuts floor will definitely not be a "cookie cutter" floor!!😂🤩🙌 The mushrooms look so delicious😋😋 I love when you film passing storms! The sheer power of nature is awe inspiring!! WOW!!! Thrilling and so humbling🙏❤️ Thank you for your closing reflection...a mouthful of food for thought. I echo and pray for the realization of your closing sentence...🙏🙏🙏
The floor "cookies" are quite beautiful and are truly unique😊
lovely reflection. I so enjoy watching you weed - it is such a chore but a necessary one. Your gardens are beautiful. thank you and I hope you continue to post videos of your efforts in creating a home.
Enjoying your videos every time I get to watch them, but even more so when listening to your monologue towards the end. Being alone part time on the mountain certainly has not kept you in the dark as to a certain group’s agenda toward man. Your godly insight is clear and rings true and relevant to what’s going on today. One has to revert back to history to understand what is happening now, and to not repeat the mistakes. I don’t know how successful we’re being in not repeating our mistakes though. Seems people have a tendency to reinvent methods of doing things, but the root is the same. I pray God’s intervention and protection over our children and grandchildren to have godly wisdom.
I once attempted to explain to my neighbor how children are not born knowing how to do right but need to be shown and taught or they will become completely self centered. She had a very sweet, although naive attitude however, saying that all kids are good and behave perfectly naturally. I recall asking, “do you teach your children how to share a toy, or their snack?” She responded yes but still was unable to see my point. Thank you for sharing your life experiences and godly wisdom.
a thousand things to say...today I pick the mundane....pipes in the bathroom aren't a negative. They can actually be quite artistic. Black or colored pipe wrap? Polish the copper and wax it and replace all the plastic with copper. Paint the pipes a respectable color that makes sense for your space. Turn the mechanical into an artwork of your choosing. You might find yourself with a newspaper in there one day...:)
You have such a tranquil speaking voice. I pray that some day you put your reflections into a book, and make an audio book of it. I will be first in line for a copy...
May God richly bless you always, Father Johannes.
Gentle shout out from N. Dakota. Have enjoyed your videos, and the gentle sermon s and monologues on life.
You are modest, but I think you did a beautiful job on your bathroom floor! You always capture the most beautiful nature footage, thank you for sharing it with us. I could hear all the buzzy things when you were clearing the bracken, and hoping you weren't getting bitten alive! I hope your bulbs emerge safely this month or next and that the mice left you some. It's a beautiful spot for them.
Sometimes, the truth hurts, but we must acknowledge that we humans are not perfect. History has shown us time and time again, yet we dont bother to learn from it.
Thank you for your truthful words.
Yes .. Amen to that. My late Mother said that Utopia and perfection never take into account the character traits/defects of Man. "We are all created equal but SOME are always more equal than others."
Beautiful message, this channel will surely grow if you continue. Felt like church tonight....
The lightening. I love the storms you have. We get them here and places special to me. Elements in action. Life, the Earth breathing and being, in Gods light. A reflection of our lives that needs our care, our humility too, and awe of.
I just love the simplicity of these days in your life. It reminds us how much unnecessary stuff and bother we fuss with. This applies to your food, no Ottolenghi recipes here ( I’m an Otto fan but sometimes the best meals are directly and simply taken from the vegetable garden).
Brilliant again. ❤
Every second of your sharing inspires hours of ideas. Thank you for sharing your insightful gifts and handy-work too! Bathroom floor amazing.
And when you were cooking those mushrooms, I tasted them.
Blessings. Best. Amen.
I remember watching thunderstorms coming towards me on the South Dakota prairie. My grandfather would watch with me until my grandmother made us come inside. Blessings.
I love watching your progress. It is a magic spot you have. I also love listening to your reflections at the end.
I want to say Thank you for the videos!
You are doing more good than you’ll ever know :-)
Please keep them coming!
All the best!
Praise God
Oh wow! Such peace and beauty. Thank you for these videos. We both enjoy them x Much love from Tasmania ❤
Breathtaking floor. You have a wonderful eye for beauty. Such a wonderful oasis you have created ❤
Let us choose sanctity. Thank you again Johannes and cheers!
Beautiful video Fr.,thank you immensely,may God bless you abundantly 🙏🏻
Amen and amen. Though Protestant I couldn’t agree more. The danger is felt around the world.
Grateful for your beautiful photography and meditations.
Looking forward to seeing either glorious spring flowers or fat and sassy mice😊
Lol... The chapter heading "I tripped over a mushroom " had me giggling. 🤭 That thing was huge!! Thanks for this. Your reflections always give this South African Calvinistic Gen-X'er some great food for thought. I wish you all the best.
Thank you again for another wonderful and very beautiful video. I really liked your closing reflections.
A life of recluse is a great need for contemplation. Enjoying two worlds.
Holy Moley....that floor looking good. Patience right there! Great job and God Bless!
Wow! Your teaching really touched my heart and caused me to rethink many aspects of my beliefs. Thank you
Best final talk so far. Thank you.
Appreciate you Johannes and the exceptional reflections.
Thank you for this video gift - a journey of humility, giving, and sustainability. And thank you, especially, for your reflections. God's Peace.
Thank you. Your words touch me with such gentleness
A wise man recently said the world is made of two kinds of people; those who think they are God, and those who know they are not. True, we NEED to teach our sons and daughters to be good, to not think they are God. I loved many things about this week's video. My favorites? The storm clouds, the asters for sure. At 1:11 did everyone catch the cross formation at the top of the tree? The promise of new beginnings in the number and in the symbol. This was my absolute favorite!
Love the floor in the bathroom! A little colour on the walls and maybe some more wooden elements on the wall (think: a little cupboard for supplies) will make it an oasis :-)
That was nice and funny “ Bloembollen”
Parfait...! Comme j' ai aimé, tant votre teavail comme vos reflexions qui me font reflechir.. Merci...!!🙂🌷🌿
I love the sound of the cows
Your closing reelections, cause much need of thought
Thank you for another lovely peaceful Sunday morning vlog this Lent😊
Good morning father from France. Thank you for coming back through these life inspiring videos after a long absence. I follow you since a long time and I was missing your little up to date filming and reflecting videos. You are such an inspired man, watching you help me keep going in my homeworks and life in general. God bless you Father.
Thank you for these words
The bathroom floor looks great!! Good job! 👍
Ohhhhh The Dutch postal service……😂the answer to my question about how you get those big boxes😊
Whenever you show storms or the creation, I feel myself open and a smile blooms on my face. Thank you for the storms you showed in this episode. I've driven across North Dakota and lived in South Dakota (as a child). As much as I love the mountains, I truly love the plains and the dramatic weather one can encounter there. My soul was happy with your shots of the storm. Thank you :)
Bidet doesn't have to be a separate unit made of ceramics. You can rather use a shower-like bidet, it is very convenient and takes so few space.
Yes, we are all barbarians ,and even so, we mostly have some good inside. But oh, how much pain we cause each other.
I really do hope you will continue these vids. They are what a lot of people need right now….visually, spiritually, mentally, etc. The vids and your words help ground people in this chaotic world we find ourselves in. Everything will work out alright in the end, but more people need to learn how to observe but not absorb. Don’t live in fear.
Labour intensive, but worth the effort on the bathroom floor. Embrace the pipework, add to it, and be a steam punk priest! ;-)
You're making a little paradise there, out of nothing really. Glad I can enjoy and follow your strides. Can't wait for Spring now to see the results of all those bulbs. Thanks for sharing and the hard work you do to make it happen.