No greater than our Master, but like Him, walking in His steps, we hear the snarls, the accusations, watch the backs turn as we near, see the rulers run to the trenches and hear our names sworn in fear. Walk: the Cross has its many stations and the road is long and sore. Look, lookContinue reading “Lent 14: Tuesday of Second Week”
Author Archives: Matthew Pullar
Lent 13: Monday of Second Week
Meanwhile, walk: there are villages sick with demons and dust: cast out the demons, shake the dust from your feet. Speak the powerful truth: The kingdom is here! You are the hands and feet of this kingdom. See how the hands and feet will be pierced.
Concerto No.4 (After Rowan Williams’ “Bach for the Cello”)
Bach’s ‘Cello Suites are for me the supreme example of contemplation in music. They don’t deal with the emotions very much, there is nothing spectacular but just a single line unfolding itself. And I always see it as a kind of silver line in the middle of darkness… Rowan Williams As a child, I adoredContinue reading “Concerto No.4 (After Rowan Williams’ “Bach for the Cello”)”
Lent 12: Second Sunday of Lent
Do the hills bring comfort? Soon He will ascend His penultimate hill, crown on brow, chest weighed down, wrath upon His soul. From where will come His aid? He leaves the tabernacle, the comfort of union, the certainty of feet which cannot stumble. I lift up mine eyes… The glorious handiwork of handsContinue reading “Lent 12: Second Sunday of Lent”
Catechism 11
What does God require in the sixth, seventh and eighth commandments? Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbour, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life,Continue reading “Catechism 11”
Lent 11: Saturday of First Week
And who is He who shines upon mountains, walks and talks with the prophets of old, yet stands without tabernacle? Who is He whom hills and fields adore, to whom sun defers when light’s of need, the one true radiance of day? And who is He who bids mouths be closed, who commandsContinue reading “Lent 11: Saturday of First Week”
Lent 10: Friday of First Week
The old garment is bursting; the new patch will not fit. Well-known threads fray everywhere; holes take place of whole. Who is this man? He takes the dross and debris, sits and eats with them? He takes our pious sackcloth and flings it on the heap where sin should be. Reversal confuses: the bridegroom standsContinue reading “Lent 10: Friday of First Week”
Lent 9: Thursday of First Week
And He commands: the wind obeys, the pigs all plunge in the sea; the waves subside, the demons cry; our hearts are full of questions. Who is this man that He commands the wind, the seas and demons? Follow where His boat will lead; follow into His kingdom.
Lent 8: Wednesday of First Week
Roots grow deep in rich or sickened soil; Trees bear fruit to turn their insides out. Many come with leaves which win, beguile: Look again when fruit’s season arrives… Plant yourself in soil, rich and deep; Watch the good fruit burst forth from your stems. Do not let gloss or sheenContinue reading “Lent 8: Wednesday of First Week”
Now I tell you (After Rowan Williams’ “Great Sabbath”)
Well, it’s high time that I got down to sharing with you some of the quite extraordinary poetry of former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. When Williams became Archbishop, many were unsure of his theology or what he stood for in his faith. Yet read his poetry and you see that, at heart, he isContinue reading “Now I tell you (After Rowan Williams’ “Great Sabbath”)”
The Consolations of Writing 