Monday, May 04, 2009

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on a very nice portfolio, Bill. In case you aren't aware of this, I have to offer you a correction: "IHS" does not mean "In His Service" - it is actually a kind of monogram for a Latin-spelled reference to the Hebrew word pronounced "yesh-U-ah" ("Savior"), the name of our Lord in the ancient language of the Chosen People. "IHS" was adopted by St Francis Xavier and his companions to become the motto and mark of the Society of Jesus: the Jesuits, to always indicate their purpose and function as priests. It is also often found engraved in Catholic altars, even ones not specifically connected to the Jesuit order, and embroidered on liturgical vestments and altar linens. The idea that "IHS" means "In His Service" has no historical precedent, and just seems to be one of those things somebody somewhere surmised, and other people elsewhere just followed along behind like sheep, without any fact-checking. This mistaken idea has spread through the Internet and seems to have become so widespread now that it's just one of those things a lot of people swallow without thought. Be different, Bill: know the truth about Truth. God bless.

servant said...

Thanks for the note. I don't see "IHS" in this blog ... but thanks for the clarification anyway, and God bless you in your pursuit of truth. Actually, even though IHS may be as you say, people tend to use things, especially symbols, in ways that mean something to them that does not mean what it used to mean. So, as in the case of IHS, I see nothing wrong with using it to proclaim that what is being done is being done "In His Service." Grace and peace to you!