Kyrie After Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, “Missa Papae Marcelli: Kyrie” From earth, from soil, from hearts, from fractures Kyrie Kyrie From death, from fire, from quake, from anguish Kyrie Kyrie From drought that blocks, from self that locks Kyrie eleison From sin, from toil, from pride, from hate Christe Christe FromContinue reading “Kyrie (Cornucopia of Heaven)”
Tag Archives: prayer
Catechism 40
What should we pray? The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us. (New City Catechism) What then? The whole story beckons: Creation, fall, flood, a people set apart yet crumbling. Every moment shines what-might-be against what-is, entropy’s melancholy truth, and yet this potentiality ofContinue reading “Catechism 40”
Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)
Confessional Hymn After Gavin Bryars, “Cadman Requiem” We were not there when stars were flung wide, wide, across the vast expanse. We were not there when hearts were knit, when breath was breathed inside. We were not there when plans were made, when laws in hearts were broken. YetContinue reading “Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)”
Catechism 39
With what attitude should we pray? With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (New City Catechism) And He does, always: no unjust judge, unmindful of man, no stony indifference when bread is required, no doors shut atContinue reading “Catechism 39”
Collects: Sparrows (After Knut Nystedt and Anathallo)
Collects: Sparrows After Knut Nystedt, “Prayers of Kierkegaard, Pt. 3: Great Are You, O God” and Anathallo, “Sparrows” I. When under the arch of heaven I stand surrounded by the wonders of creation, I rapturously and adoringly praise your greatness, you who lightly hold the stars in the infinite and concern yourself fatherly with theContinue reading “Collects: Sparrows (After Knut Nystedt and Anathallo)”
Catechism 38
What is prayer? Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving. (New City Catechism) Sometimes with words, sometimes with hearts groaning, fists shaking, a silent rumble. Sometimes with hope, sometimes in anguish, with little to hold, save Prayer’s ladder. Sometimes with sight, sometimes desperate, aching, every breath,Continue reading “Catechism 38”
Psalm: Lilies (The Cornucopia of Heaven)
After Antonio Vivaldi, “Le Quattro Stagioni – La Primavera: II. Largo” Creator God, whose praise and power are proclaimed by the whole creation: receive our morning prayers, we pray… (A Prayer Book for Australia) Consider how the lilies open – Watch them enter into light… Solomon in all his splendour wasContinue reading “Psalm: Lilies (The Cornucopia of Heaven)”
The Cornucopia of Heaven – Prayer of Preparation
Prayer of Preparation After Gustav Holst, “Psalm 86: To My Humble Supplication” Teach my dullness, guide my blindness (Joseph Bryan) We begin small – a seed, a pod, a bud, soon bursting, soon breaking out into light. Hear strings rise. Hear spirits lift their weary, slowing hands. See the sun open up the day. SeeContinue reading “The Cornucopia of Heaven – Prayer of Preparation”
Disintegration Prayer: For Kazimierz Dabrowski
Let my mind disintegrate, O Lord, Until the former things have died, All these lesser selves that vie For me, for pride of place. Take, transform, erase, Until this mind Is wholly Whole in You.
From Ashes 10: Søren Kierkegaard – Original Sin and the Fear of Possibility
“When you’re absolute beginners,” folk singer M. Ward tells us, “it’s a panoramic view, from her majesty Mount Zion, and the kingdom is for you.” What he seems to suggest here is that, at any beginning point, there appears an infinite potentiality to life, stretching out like a majestic panorama before us. W.H. Auden, in hisContinue reading “From Ashes 10: Søren Kierkegaard – Original Sin and the Fear of Possibility”
The Consolations of Writing 