Yesterday, in A&E where I work, a 2 year old child died - or was already dead when she arrived. There are few things worse to witness than a dead child and the grief of parents. None, especially those of us with our own children, could fail to be moved deeply by sadness and fear. … Continue reading Death
Fear of God
Sometimes, when we consider really praying, coming close to God (or, perhaps more accurately, letting God come close), we fear what God might expect of us — some great trial, some difficult deed — or we fear that we will be asked to give up what is most precious to us — a loved one, … Continue reading Fear of God
The Desiring Subject
Sooner murder an infant in its cradle than nurse unacted desires. from The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by William Blake I want to write about desire. We find ourselves inhabited by all sorts of desires, some welcome, others less so: perhaps I'm uncomfortable today and wish the weather was cooler, warmer, sunnier, drier, wetter, … Continue reading The Desiring Subject
The ASBOs of Desire
In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: the prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy. Ivan Illich I am uneasy when I hear about Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). I, too, am angry when I have to suffer noise, litter, graffiti, abuse and the effects of the use of alcohol and … Continue reading The ASBOs of Desire
Reasons not to pray: 5
Reason 5: loss of control. Prayer requires me to give myself into the hands of the Other, but I'd much rather be self-determining. Richard Rohr says that there are five difficult messages we need to learn: Life is hard. You are going to die. You are not that important. You are not in control. Your … Continue reading Reasons not to pray: 5
Love Dogs
One night a man was crying, Allah! Allah! His lips grew sweet with the praising, until a cynic said, "So! I have heard you calling out, but have you ever gotten any response?" The man had no answer to that. He quit praying and fell into a confused sleep. He dreamed he saw Khidr, the … Continue reading Love Dogs
Silence and Honey Cakes, part 3
Well, here's some more (continuing where I left off). Life, Death and Neighbours (cont.) ... the only way in which you know the seriousness of separation from God is in your own experience of yourself. ... 'If you have sin enough in your own life and your own home, you have no need to go … Continue reading Silence and Honey Cakes, part 3
Silence and Honey Cakes, part 2
Continuing from my last post on this book with more quotes from the first chapter. Really, you should just beg, borrow or even buy the book, and read it yourself, but I need to remember the essence of what he says — not that there is any spare flesh in Rowan's writing. Life, Death and … Continue reading Silence and Honey Cakes, part 2
Silence and Honey Cakes
Rowan Williams is simply incapable of writing a bad word. Someone, I forget who, introduced me to this book. I cannot tell you how thankful I am, how great a blessing it has been. I feel scoured (convicted, reproached) by the way he presents the wisdom of the desert mothers and fathers. Amazing Grace, indeed! … Continue reading Silence and Honey Cakes
Reasons not to pray: 4
This may be the next in an on-going, infinite series begun with Reasons not to pray: 1, 2, 3. Reason 4: the fear of emptiness, of nothing happening this time. Of course, nothing may happen, and there is nothing to be done about that. Indeed, if God is not an object in The Universe, if … Continue reading Reasons not to pray: 4