Category Archives: The Swelling Year

I, Justin, the son of Priscus and grandson of Bacchius, natives of Flavia Neapolis in Palestine, present this address and petition in behalf of those of all nations who are unjustly hated and wantonly abused, myself being one of them. (Justin Martyr, The First Apology of Justin, trans. James Donaldson and Alexander Roberts) Some facedContinue reading “The Martyr’s Apology (For Justin, Martyr)”

This week is the Australian Anglican Church’s week of prayer for reconciliation with Australia’s Indigenous people. It isn’t a topic I feel particularly well-equipped to address and am weary of showing up my own ignorance and, shamefully, frequent indifference on the subject. But I figure that that’s where much change happens – with ordinary brokenContinue reading “Reconciling Wind Part 1”

In the valley of bones, I wait in the dryness, The dryness of bones, the dryness of wind Blowing on bones. In my valley of bones, my bones sit and hear The voice in the wind, a voice like the wind Calling to my bones. Speak to the bones; speak to my bones, Wind ofContinue reading “Wind in the Valley (Pentecost Sunday)”

Today’s poem recognises the work of Augustine of Canterbury and the monks sent by Pope Gregory in the 6th century to convert England. Augustine (not to be confused with his more famous African namesake) is perhaps most famous for converting King Ethelbert of Kent, a king significant both for having a marvellous name and alsoContinue reading “Pentecost, 597”

Today is the day when the Anglican Church remembers the great medieval historian Bede of Jarrow, or the Venerable Bede. I found myself inspired by my reading on him today to write two poems about him, one silly, one serious. Here, for good measure, are they both. I. The Venerable Bede, we know, Was ignorant,Continue reading “Poems for Bede”

“That being rooted and grounded – That is, deeply fixed and firmly established, in love. Ye may comprehend – So far as an human mind is capable. What is the breadth of the love of Christ – Embracing all mankind. And length – From everlasting to everlasting. And depth – Not to be fathomed byContinue reading “The Quadrilateral (For John and Charles Wesley)”

The number diminishes: First twelve, then two, The rest far gone, Consumed into The enemy, the juggernaut. Promises of restoration Dangle awkwardly in the wind. Yet the time will come; it won’t Delay. It surely is soon here. The time will come when From the winds of all directions, Men will come and worship inContinue reading “The Diminishing Twelve (For the Sunday Before Pentecost)”