Category Archives: Devotional

Passacaglia in G Minor (After Les Murray’s “An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow”)

For those who have not encountered Les Murray’s poetry before, his work always strikes me with the way in which it blends profundity with earthiness. One of his most beautiful poems for me is his “An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow”, a description of a man crying in the middle of Sydney’s city centre, his tears somehowContinue reading “Passacaglia in G Minor (After Les Murray’s “An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow”)”

Catechism 6

How can we glorify God? We glorify God by enjoying him, loving him, trusting him, and by obeying his will, commands, and law. (New City Catechism) To think: God Almighty, walking in the Garden, in the cool of day,             God Almighty       stepping on our soil, walking in our dust, His hand,       His palm, outstretched toContinue reading “Catechism 6”

Catechism 5

What else did God create? God created all things by his powerful Word, and all his creation was very good; everything flourished under his loving rule. (New City Catechism) Whether plant, knowing just where to look for sun, where to turn for air, sea-creatures teeming in the ocean’s whirl, birds neither sewing nor harvesting yetContinue reading “Catechism 5”

Remembering and Introducing…

With January now gone and February just begun, it’s time to farewell Peter Steele and introduce our new poet for the month. Shortly after Father Steele’s death in 2012 I wrote an essay in memory of him, and, although I have read much more of his poetry since then and have come to appreciate itContinue reading “Remembering and Introducing…”

Evening Prayer

The leaves whistle change; no longer burning, the air sings a softer tune, and I wander in the evening street attuned to change, yet stuck within the day’s exhaustion, mind empty, spirit vacant. I lift my arms to walk, to pray, the day ahead uncertain, silent – cooler, but still not within my arms’ reach.Continue reading “Evening Prayer”

Morning Song (After Peter Steele’s “An Ordinary Evening In Kew”)

Time for my last poem for Peter Steele, this one based on his simple and delicate “An Ordinary Evening in Kew”. Less theological than the other poems I have chosen, this one is a wonderful tribute to the simple beauties of God’s gift of life. Morning Song (After “An Ordinary Evening in Kew”) The KensingtonContinue reading “Morning Song (After Peter Steele’s “An Ordinary Evening In Kew”)”

Crux

Yesterday I posted my own poem written in response to Peter Steele’s heartbreaking “Crux”. Here, as an additional kind of tribute to my old teacher, is a musical setting of the poem that I wrote and recorded. Steele’s words, from his liturgical sequence, “A Season in Retreat”, are included below for you to read asContinue reading “Crux”

What He Meant (After Peter Steele’s “Crux”)

The third poem written in response to Peter Steele comes from his very moving work, “Crux”, possibly one of his best poems. You can read the original poem here. Like Steele’s poem, mine is written from the perspective of one of Jesus’ followers immediately after His death, and ponders how Jesus’ words may have seemedContinue reading “What He Meant (After Peter Steele’s “Crux”)”

Catechism 3

How many persons are there in God? There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory. (New City Catechism) Plural in the beginning: Let us make man… The Divine counsel gathered for this actContinue reading “Catechism 3”