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”
Category Archives: Devotional
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”)”
Lent 7: Tuesday of First Week
Our Father – we are made of clay – Our Father – in heaven – in hearts – in Heaven to hearts, our Father who art in heaven – Hallowed be Your name – we pray, Your name we pray, your kingdom come, your will be done – we pray your name, your will. OContinue reading “Lent 7: Tuesday of First Week”
Length of Days: 40 Poems for Lent – Available on Kindle
I’m pleased to announce that you can now purchase my sequence of Lent poems, “Length of Days: 40 Poems for Lent”, from the Amazon Kindle store. The book is the result of one of my first major poetry writing projects back in 2012, when I set myself the task of writing a poem a dayContinue reading “Length of Days: 40 Poems for Lent – Available on Kindle”
Lent 6: Monday of First Week
Now grace topsy-turvies the world: Mountain-top-truths speak to violent hearts Declaring the way which turns cheek to foe And blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, The hungry, the thirsty, the peaceful, the weak. Blessed are you: words strangely fitted, A garment much brighter than all its surrounds. A whisper of pain, aContinue reading “Lent 6: Monday of First Week”
Lent 5: First Sunday of Lent
So bones, built to follow, ache When trapped inside guilt’s cave. Tongues, carved to praise, grow numb When, dry and thick with sin, they lie in silence. And hearts, taught to turn upwards in trust, Grow ashen when no light has space to shine. Open, heart. Untangle, tongue. Bones, rejoice. Redemption lightContinue reading “Lent 5: First Sunday of Lent”
The Consolations of Writing 