Category Archives: Devotional

Expectation (The Cornucopia of Heaven)

Expectation After J.S. Bach, “Mass in B Minor: Et Expecto Resurrectionem”   We              begin           small: a kernel        dropping        to soil a weak          and fickle      seed a broken        passing         moment dust                          expectantly,                                   expectant… of what           breaks forth                               in trumpet-shower,             in polyphonic spring,                        Continue reading “Expectation (The Cornucopia of Heaven)”

Prayers of Intercession (Cornucopia of Heaven)

Prayers of Intercession After Felix Mendelssohn, “Veni Domine, Op.39”   Veni Domine, et noli tardare. Come, Lord, and do not delay. (Traditional prayer)   With empty horn and plaintive voice:                 Veni domine, we cry. Sunk in mire, sunk in self:               Et noli tardare. Our earth is cracked, our reservoirs dry:             Veni domine,Continue reading “Prayers of Intercession (Cornucopia of Heaven)”

The Lord’s Prayer (Cornucopia of Heaven)

The Lord’s Prayer After Otto Nicolai, “Pater noster, Op. 33”  Our Father – the heavens are Your home, earth Your tent,          and yet            You are a Father.           Teach our fickle hearts,       our yelling hearts,            to still, to stop to look upon               Your glory, high                                and lifted up. Our Father who         our FatherContinue reading “The Lord’s Prayer (Cornucopia of Heaven)”

Assurance (Cornucopia of Heaven)

Assurance After Giovanni Gabrieli, “Exultavit Cor Meum”   From depths,             from brokenness, the trumpet sounds, the trumpet                         sounds the new,             it sounds the dawn                         of low made high.                                     Exalt, my heart!             My heart exalts.                         My eyes will see,                                     my ears will hearContinue reading “Assurance (Cornucopia of Heaven)”

Kyrie (Cornucopia of Heaven)

Kyrie After Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, “Missa Papae Marcelli: Kyrie”   From earth, from soil, from hearts, from fractures              Kyrie               Kyrie From death, from fire, from quake, from anguish                           Kyrie               Kyrie From drought that blocks, from self that locks                        Kyrie eleison From sin, from toil, from pride, from hate             Christe             Christe FromContinue reading “Kyrie (Cornucopia of Heaven)”

Esurientes implevit bonis (After J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in E-flat)

Two women who knew the truth of a God who exalts the humble were Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. Both were unlikely mothers, one a virgin, the other barren and ridiculed by her husband’s other wife, Penninah. When Mary heard the news that she was bearing theContinue reading “Esurientes implevit bonis (After J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in E-flat)”

Afternoon Flight

A willy wagtail, was it? Perhaps, but no time to check What Bird Is That? as it wags its way through lanes at lights, a truck here turning, there a foot compressing asphalt.                                           Yes, I have seen its tail – proud tuft of feathers – pluckily braving the afternoon rush, and seen it hover,Continue reading “Afternoon Flight”

Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)

  Confessional Hymn After Gavin Bryars, “Cadman Requiem”   We were not there when stars were flung wide, wide,     across the vast expanse. We were not there when hearts were knit,             when breath was breathed inside. We were not there when plans were made,             when laws      in hearts were broken. YetContinue reading “Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)”