Why, O Lord, are so many afflicted?
We cry out to you but We do not understand.
Darkness surrounds me
But you give me the strength not to be oppressed.
Hold me in your hand
That I may see and comprehend, That this not your will O Lord.
Illumen my path,
help me to navigate the way to your brightness
Strengthen me so that I may be strong for others,
Heal me that others may be healed.
Lord, touch the sick with your healing hands
Bless the anxious with your peace.
Show me the way that I should go.
Show me the path that I may walk in your truth.
Lord you are the source of Light and Life
I praise you for your beacon, Love
Which shines like the sun that warms the earth
And accentuates its beauty;Bringing flowers and creatures to life.
I praise you Lord that you are the author of life and truth.
Write your story in my footprints ,
That my life may become a beautiful clause in the Book of Life.
Amen.
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Cathedral Contrasts
On Saturday, I was fortunate to have a 'child free' day and some time to please myself. I was booked into a morning workshop on London's south bank and then had the rest of the day at my disposal.
I chose first of all to spend some time in Southwark Cathedral. I'd never visited this cathedral before and was eager to see the mix of old and new in the development of the building. I arrived as a priest was about to lead a short period of Prayer, he asked us to join him saying the Lord's prayer in our own languages, it all seemed so comforting and familiar. There were several stands of lit votive candles and these, together with a beautifully painted tomb and impressive carvings behind the altar added to this homely ambience..you could sense the centuries of worship that had been offered there.
I then walked along the embankment popping briefly into the Tate Modern and Bankside galleries and then passing an interesting array of street entertainers before crossing the River, stopping for a drink and some lunch in St. James' Park ( managing to spray myself with the hyperactive contents of a bottle of Coke) and then on to Wesminster Cathedral. I wanted to make a purchase in the book shop there but also to consider the contrast between the cathedrals of the two denominations.
Westminster Cathedral always manages to remain primarily an place of prayer although there were a fair few sight seers wandering around. The Blessed sacrament was exposed for adoration, I assume in commemoration of the feast of Corpus Christi. I took the oportunity just to sit and to reflect and indeed to watch. I found myself considering the deep geuflections of many of the worshippers, the length of some of their stays, the commitment and the apparant simplicity of thier worship. It never ceases to amaze me how the sacrament draws ones full attention. To one side of the cathedral there was a quiet flurry of activity and a small congregation gathered for a quiet celebration of the Mass in Latin. I was surprised to note just how much silence there was within that Liturgy and the sense of Mystery that emerged, the tangible reverence as each communicant received the host on their tongue, whilst a patten was held beneath their chin. It seemed strange to me that Jesus was silent, still and present in the monstrace on the high altar whilst at the same time he was offered actively in the Mass and yet is still present around and within where ever we are.
The contrasting ways in which God was being revealed on Saturday in those two cathedrals was striking, the homely familiar God of the incarnation in Southwark Cathedral, the focused presence of the transcendent yet imminant God in the Blessed sacrament and the distant yet coming God of the Mass. I'm sure these are all very inaccurate perceptions from a theological point of view but never the less God is revealed in many different ways. I had hoped that spending some reflective time in these two places would bring me closer to deciding in which denomination I should settle on making my christian home but I left aware that God is to be found in many places and ways and that different people will respond to him in the way that is perhapes most meaningful and appropriate to them. Objective truth? well I know that I will never have the knowledege to be able to settle on that for sure.
I chose first of all to spend some time in Southwark Cathedral. I'd never visited this cathedral before and was eager to see the mix of old and new in the development of the building. I arrived as a priest was about to lead a short period of Prayer, he asked us to join him saying the Lord's prayer in our own languages, it all seemed so comforting and familiar. There were several stands of lit votive candles and these, together with a beautifully painted tomb and impressive carvings behind the altar added to this homely ambience..you could sense the centuries of worship that had been offered there.
I then walked along the embankment popping briefly into the Tate Modern and Bankside galleries and then passing an interesting array of street entertainers before crossing the River, stopping for a drink and some lunch in St. James' Park ( managing to spray myself with the hyperactive contents of a bottle of Coke) and then on to Wesminster Cathedral. I wanted to make a purchase in the book shop there but also to consider the contrast between the cathedrals of the two denominations.
Westminster Cathedral always manages to remain primarily an place of prayer although there were a fair few sight seers wandering around. The Blessed sacrament was exposed for adoration, I assume in commemoration of the feast of Corpus Christi. I took the oportunity just to sit and to reflect and indeed to watch. I found myself considering the deep geuflections of many of the worshippers, the length of some of their stays, the commitment and the apparant simplicity of thier worship. It never ceases to amaze me how the sacrament draws ones full attention. To one side of the cathedral there was a quiet flurry of activity and a small congregation gathered for a quiet celebration of the Mass in Latin. I was surprised to note just how much silence there was within that Liturgy and the sense of Mystery that emerged, the tangible reverence as each communicant received the host on their tongue, whilst a patten was held beneath their chin. It seemed strange to me that Jesus was silent, still and present in the monstrace on the high altar whilst at the same time he was offered actively in the Mass and yet is still present around and within where ever we are.
The contrasting ways in which God was being revealed on Saturday in those two cathedrals was striking, the homely familiar God of the incarnation in Southwark Cathedral, the focused presence of the transcendent yet imminant God in the Blessed sacrament and the distant yet coming God of the Mass. I'm sure these are all very inaccurate perceptions from a theological point of view but never the less God is revealed in many different ways. I had hoped that spending some reflective time in these two places would bring me closer to deciding in which denomination I should settle on making my christian home but I left aware that God is to be found in many places and ways and that different people will respond to him in the way that is perhapes most meaningful and appropriate to them. Objective truth? well I know that I will never have the knowledege to be able to settle on that for sure.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Blogging
I hate to admit it but I'm quite a 'sad' person really! I have to be cos I'm blogging here, and I'm blogging here and following other blogs because if truth be known I'm lonely right now. To Blog and to chat are great ways of relating to others in ones own time and space. You can communicate when it is convenient to yourself and pull away when you want to too. No awkwardness about trying to extracate oneself from a conversation, no major ties attached, no sense of heavy obligation to another. But despite the obvious advantages there is the one real disadvantage, you are physically alone and whilst knowing that you may well never meet anyone with whom you are communicating can free one to speak, personal rewards in knowing others in depth are very much limited.
There are those who would say that of course we are never alone, that God in Jesus Christ is always present with us, nearer to each of us than we can ever know, only a prayer away but it does seem to me that our perception of Christ's presence is not always accurate and that it often seems easier to be aware of, when our relationships with others are strong, when all is well and the sun shines. I can also feel accutely aware of this presence in the depths of trouble and darkness where I am supported inexplicably. But on those more grey days..........
There are those who would say that of course we are never alone, that God in Jesus Christ is always present with us, nearer to each of us than we can ever know, only a prayer away but it does seem to me that our perception of Christ's presence is not always accurate and that it often seems easier to be aware of, when our relationships with others are strong, when all is well and the sun shines. I can also feel accutely aware of this presence in the depths of trouble and darkness where I am supported inexplicably. But on those more grey days..........
Monday, 8 June 2009
Hi There!
Well, Hi There and Welcome!
I'm a complete beginner at blogging and a bit of a technophobe too. At the moment i'm not sure if blogging will become a regular feature in my life or whether this will be a one off post but I'm giving it a go because unless you you try something you never know how it will turn out!
I'm not sure about the title for this blog but it can stay for a while and I'll see if it seems relevant as things progress.
The idea of sharing my thoughts and views in a public space seems a little alien to me and I find myself wondering why I might be wanting to do so...why not just write a personal diary or something? But I do find something quite intreging about the idea that there may be an unknown audience which I may or may not be adressing....I guess its just a bit of an adventurous experiment, part of life's interesting journey.
I'm a complete beginner at blogging and a bit of a technophobe too. At the moment i'm not sure if blogging will become a regular feature in my life or whether this will be a one off post but I'm giving it a go because unless you you try something you never know how it will turn out!
I'm not sure about the title for this blog but it can stay for a while and I'll see if it seems relevant as things progress.
The idea of sharing my thoughts and views in a public space seems a little alien to me and I find myself wondering why I might be wanting to do so...why not just write a personal diary or something? But I do find something quite intreging about the idea that there may be an unknown audience which I may or may not be adressing....I guess its just a bit of an adventurous experiment, part of life's interesting journey.
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