Every year everything I have ever learned in my lifetime leads back to this: the fires and the black river of loss whose other side is salvation, whose meaning none of us will ever know. Mary Oliver: In Blackwater Woods I was listening to Radio 3 over breakfast on Wednesday. Bryn Terfel was interviewed and … Continue reading Lass auch Dir die Brust bewegen, Liebchen, höre mich!
Tag: desolation
Thoughts in a time of plague
This time of plague is a desolation for many: loss of work, loss of income, loss of health, loss of life; traumatic, dangerous front-line work; and decimated support services. Those of us not so endangered still suffer desolation. There is overwhelming uncertainty: where will we be next year, or next week!? How are we to live now? What is God’s call now? … Continue reading
Audio Prayer: Review of the day++
Here is an extended version of last week's Review of the day. When I used it for my own prayer again, I felt rushed. This 'long' version is identical to the 'longer' version but I have inserted some extra time for reflection and journaling between the questions. I hope it is helpful. Examen (long) Examen … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Review of the day++
Audio Prayer: Review of the day
I have been asked to record an Examen. Here are two! They are the same shape, with one shorter for when you are tired or don’t have much time. You may wish to try the longer one first. Examen (Short) Examen (short)Download Examen (longer) Examen (longer)Download Some lucky people seem to know exactly what they … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Review of the day
… and joy
…there is still somewhere deep within you a beast shouting that the earth is exactly what it wanted… Mary Oliver, Morning Poem ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’Luke 19.40 For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror…Rainer Maria Rilke, First Duino Elegy (tr. Stephen Mitchell) Prayer often begins … Continue reading … and joy
Are we there yet?
Every day I go to my chair and I sit in the early morning light or dark. I set down my glass of water. I look into Your face. I’m pretty consistent about this. I get anxious if it is put off or I miss the appointment. Every day I struggle.I come with feelings of … Continue reading Are we there yet?
Sigh no more
Then sigh not so, but let them go,And be you blithe and bonny,Converting all your sounds of woeInto hey nonny, nonny.Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing People will often say that they can't pray. When asked they will say that they are unable to make their minds still or empty of thoughts. Somehow they have acquired … Continue reading Sigh no more
Appledore
A couple of years ago I wrote this blessing. It garnered significantly more interest than anything else I have written here. Strictly speaking, I didn't write it. It was given to me early one Monday morning, not long after Easter, and I wrote it down. The week before I had been away for a week’s … Continue reading Appledore
Living with life’s ups and downs
When one enjoys consolation, let [her] consider how [she] will conduct [herself] during the time of ensuing desolation, and store up a supply of strength as defence against that day.He who enjoys consolation should take care to humble himself and lower himself as much as possible. Let him recall how little he is able to … Continue reading Living with life’s ups and downs
Occupation
… when we take up occupation of the site of our bodies in stillness before God. We are granted a place to be, simply in virtue of being there as material beings made by God: the physical act of drawing breath becomes an affirmation of my receiving of the gift of my place, an acknowledgement … Continue reading Occupation