… 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

Reasons not to pray: 1, 2, 3

Why is prayer so difficult – desired and avoided in equal measure? I think there are three key reasons: Prayer is the time when we stop everything else we are doing. Often the first thing that occurs is an awareness of pain in myself or others: the physical or emotional or global pain, which is … Continue reading Reasons not to pray: 1, 2, 3

On illness and punishment

When they fetch up in hospital because of an illness or old age, some religious people ask, "Why is this happening to me?" and might add "I've been a good person." Some have never thought about their mortality. Illness takes them by surprise. They have made no preparation. Illness and death is an affront to … Continue reading On illness and punishment