Awe

This weekend I made a circular walk from the village of East Kennet, Wiltshire, up onto the ancient wansdyke and back.

On this particular day the perfect contours of the chalk downs, the summer patchwork of textured fields and the variegated colours of crops and meadows responded to the majesty of the swirling weather. Mists descended, soft striations of distant rain marked the horizon and the sun peaked through bruised clouds like a spotlight illuminating the finest gothic cathedral.

The astonishing beauty of it all composed itself before my eyes. All I had to do was look. I couldn’t quite believe how perfect it was. In this moment I felt like I caught a scent of the Edenic creation, unfallen and in its paradisiacal state.

I love this land. The more I see it, the more it reveals of itself and of the creator.

spot the pyramid

Whatever happens (in 2021)

A poem from Rumi to open the new year, with love to all who read these words.

whatever happens 
to the world around
show me your purpose
show me your source

even if the world 
is Godless and in chaos
show me your anchor
show me your love

if there is hunger
if there is famine
show me your harvest
show me your resource

if life is bitter
everywhere snakes everywhere poison
show me your garden
show me your meadow

if the sun and the moon fall
if darkness rules the world
show me your light
show me your flame

if I have no mouth 
or tongue to utter
words of your secrets
show me your fountain

I'll keep silence
how can I express 
your life when mine 
still is untold.

Rumi


Remember the everlasting covenant

"The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." And God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth." 

Genesis 9:16-17
Signs of the covenant, south Somerset, England, June 2020.

Mendelssohn’s eightfold path

The good and the beautiful are always with us, no matter how upside down and unpleasant the external human theatrics may seem right now. Spring is arriving, the daffodils are radiant and this piece of music fills my whole being with such bliss. The freshness and hope of a 16 year old composer beams infectiously from these sounds. Joy, youthfulness and freedom are embodied here in just over 30 minutes. It is a most beautiful antidote to the current atmosphere.

Mendelssohn Octet in E-flat major, composed 1825

Magnificat

The Canticle of Mary

Magnificat anima mea Dominum;
Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo,
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae;
ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus,
Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo;
Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.
Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae,
Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,: sicut erat in principio,
Et nunc, et semper: et in Saecula saeculorum.
Amen
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his humble servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed,
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.