So the kingdom comes in mustard-seed smallness microscopic yeast invading our flatness prehistoric treasure hid in fallow ground trees unfolding out from roots too deep to see imperceptible life defying noisy death the now-and-not-yetness of ever-active grace.
Category Archives: Devotional
Catechism 12
What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments? Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us. (New City Catechism) The one beside you in the field, Continue reading “Catechism 12”
Lent 17: Friday of Second Week
Where is the strong man? He writhes about as though he had power but he himself knows he is bound. What is this power? It stands before the divided heart, compelling with its tenacious purity. Where is the good fruit? Trees fein their own flourishing, yet the truth will cast out the rotten. Who isContinue reading “Lent 17: Friday of Second Week”
Lent 16: Thursday of Second Week
What is this day? The lame walk, the blind see, the demons flee – and silent He does not lift His voice to shout. While one reed flaps, the bruised reed stands tall, unbroken; there’s flame still in the smouldering wick – Yet the one who stretched out the heavens with His palms lifts HisContinue reading “Lent 16: Thursday of Second Week”
Lent 15: Wednesday of Second Week
A reed blows in the wilderness; it flies and flaps about vacuously. The lame walk, the blind see: Are you the one we are waiting for? John languishes, Herod steams; The noon is long and dry. The Son of Man still will not mourn; He belongs to another day.
Les Feuilles Mortes
Yes, the leaves die as they go golden, yet this does not speak to me of death, as hand-in-hand we walk below bowers which colour the world’s bright defiant grave. Tombs carry promise, still dormant – a longing – life hidden by theseContinue reading “Les Feuilles Mortes”
Lent 14: Tuesday of Second Week
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”
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”
The Consolations of Writing 