Category Archives: The Swelling Year

I. And so we call to Him who gives all things to us, our bread to eat, who brings forth water from the stone. We call to Him to set our eyes not on these passing, fading things but on those things which wait in heaven for those who on earth here wait. II. AndContinue reading “Bread in the Springtime (Ninth Sunday After Pentecost)”

Tomorrow is the day the Anglican calendar remembers Mary and Martha, the sisters in Bethany who were close friends of Jesus. But tomorrow is a Sunday so I will have another poem to write then, so they can have their poem today. All That Was Needed The hired wailers were doing their work and thoughContinue reading “All That Was Needed (For Mary and Martha of Bethany)”

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. AndContinue reading “One Son of Thunder (For James, Apostle and Martyr)”

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, theContinue reading “Magdala (For the Feast of Mary Magdalene”

Listen – The shepherd has come, the true shepherd who will not lead us down false paths or beside wild streams nor through fields of brown; The shepherd has come, the shepherd who dwells among his sheep, who leads them only in good paths and gives them rest. Listen – He has seen us, sheepContinue reading “The Shepherd’s Dwelling”

I am not a prophet nor A prophet’s son. I am a herdsman And I dress the bowers of The sycamore. The Lord called to me With His plumb-line And He said, “Amos, hold this Plumb-line against my people Israel. No more will I pass them by.” “Who may ascend the hill of God?” WeContinue reading “Clean Hands and Pure Heart (Seventh Sunday After Pentecost)”

Open and dry, the plains drew him in; They say he “carried his swag” where he went. He knew how to sketch and could play the piano, A bag full of gifts always ready for use. In city or bush he looked for a city That was not yet here; so he set down hisContinue reading “The Bishop of Pyramid Hill (For Sydney James Kirkby)”

Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Non draco sit mihi dux! May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord! (Prayer of the Saint Benedict Medal) Caught between the rule and obedience, Scarcely strong enough to hold but Scared of where my sins might take me, May I know the loveContinue reading “A Prayer (For Benedict of Nursia)”

A great city stood, on a hill so tall That it reached to the heavens and took in all Who came there to dwell in its rich home of peace, With a king strong and humble, A king and a priest, And a God who dwelt with them, There with them all. And the nationsContinue reading “A Great City Stood (The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost)”

Christianity impacted profoundly upon traditional religious and political structures, although Islanders today see it as a fulfilment of the traditional belief system rather than a complete break with the past, as they were previously encouraged to do. (Anna Shnukal, “Torres Strait Islanders”, Multicultural Queensland 2001) You me Torres Strait Islander people, you me a lightContinue reading “Coming of the Light (The First Missionaries to the Torres Strait, 1871)”