Good news. He also works in earthy things: not only stars but soil and grass, carves churches from stone souls, makes mud-houses whole, and knows the ways a seed must break. Good news that maimed bodies are his building, that the one-eyed, the lame, may be fed in his field, good news that his isContinue reading ““You are God’s field, God’s building” “
Category Archives: Epiphany
20 Contemplations #20: Enlighten
Arise, shine, for your light has come… (Isaiah 60:1a) Then the Glory opens up, and the exposition begins…after the sheaves of night, the spirals of anxiety, here the triumph of love and the tears of joy – all the passion of our arms around the Invisible!… (Olivier Messiaen) Do you see a star unlike theContinue reading “20 Contemplations #20: Enlighten”
20 Contemplations #19: Sleep, Wake
I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking… (Song of Solomon 5:2a) The world sleeps, but still some wise men gaze out unto the beckoning sky, and some still wake to hear the door pounding, night humm- ing in active grace of years. No doubt, the gentleness of the stars willContinue reading “20 Contemplations #19: Sleep, Wake”
Transfiguration Sunday
These are the words of the One who burns with all the fire of the morning star, who shines much whiter than the day in tabernacle flame. These are the words of the risen Son who was, who is, will ever be, the One who sees, who knows, who calls, the first, the last, theContinue reading “Transfiguration Sunday”
Epiphany: To an unknown painter
Too regal: There were no drapes to hail Him king, no cherubim in the background, aloft, casually decking the scene, mid-song. Yet this is right: if there were crowns, they would be laid at His feet; and knees, if wise, would know to bend. We foresee the pious, in the corners, turned toward their futureContinue reading “Epiphany: To an unknown painter”
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
For most people, Christmas is now over. The supermarkets are already stocking hot cross buns. But in the traditional church calendar, today is the last day of the season of Christmas – a season lasting twelve days, as we remember in the old song. Why remember Christmas for twelve days instead of one? If nothingContinue reading “On the Twelfth Day of Christmas”
Childhood (After Peter Steele’s “Star Man”)
For those who follow the church calendar, we are now in the season of Epiphany, the brief time between Christmas and Lent. Peter Steele’s cycle of poems “Rounding a Year”, deals nicely with this season, especially the strange in-between period where Jesus has been born but is not yet approaching the Cross. I’ve used today’sContinue reading “Childhood (After Peter Steele’s “Star Man”)”
The Veil (Last Sunday After Epiphany)
The veil is lifted, but do we see His face as it truly is? Like Peter we struggle to tie Him to ground But He is not contained. He sits enthroned before cherubim But see Him take His throne Upon a Roman cross, among Rebels and dirty thieves. The veil is lifted, but do weContinue reading “The Veil (Last Sunday After Epiphany)”
In Our Time (Fourth Sunday After Epiphany)
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect of the Day)Continue reading “In Our Time (Fourth Sunday After Epiphany)”
Joy and Strength (Third Sunday After Epiphany)
Do not weep: The Word shines light on your darkest depths And brings to light how far the gap, How vast the space between your deeds And what you should have done. But do not weep: today the joy Of the Lord shall be your strength. Do not fret: Sit silently before the Word AndContinue reading “Joy and Strength (Third Sunday After Epiphany)”
The Consolations of Writing 