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He knows what we know


“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 
“ELI, ELI, LEMA SABAKTANEI?” that is, 
“MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” 

Matt 27:45-46

Of all the astonishing words that Jesus of Nazareth shared with with us, this short, final utterance touches me more profoundly than any other. The man who had to be “emptied out” is heard. In this moment, he declares what he feels: alone and abandoned.  Jesus recalls us to the truth of his humanity with the anguish of this plea. He reassures us that the arising of fear and doubt is a legitimate part of this earthly trial of (apparent) separation.

He knows what we know. It is hard it is to be here.

*Now go and read Psalm 22 for further consolation.

Craigie Aitchison, Crucifixion II
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He lives in our hearts


God has left sin in the world in order that there may be forgiveness: not only the secret forgiveness by which He Himself cleanses our souls, but the manifest forgiveness by which we have mercy on one another and so give expression to the fact that He is living, by His mercy, in our own hearts. 

Thomas Merton, No Man Is An Island

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Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, 
qui tolis peccata mundi,
miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, 
qui tolis peccata mundi,
dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, 
who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
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In the land of his affliction

In the land of his affliction
the wise man bows down low, 
glad in humble posture
that the inner light will glow. 

As darkness smothers senses, 
so the heart must guide the way -
the furnace howls, the errors burn
the smoke of doubt holds sway. 

Acquiesce? No, persevere
he turns within anew,  
takes up the cross and drinks the cup,
walks like the faithful few. 

On route he knows the refuge is
to share the gifted load -
in sorrow poured out prayerfully
a lighter yoke bestowed. 


25th July 2021, Wiltshire, England.
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Satan’s Sermon

You are my servants, vassals to, the earthly feudal lords
who revel in the power of their temporal rewards. 
With streams of sacrificial blood their meal time and their play, 
my bloodlines will persist in this deception and decay. 

You slaves cleave to your comfort and your shallow, sensual days -
a somnambulant collective I make changeless in its ways. 
Dear fools you carved my fiefdom, smothered truth and so obscured 
the fact of God’s One Kingdom and your victory assured.

You chose the perfect master for you do not wish to know
the pain of transformation that must come to those who grow. 
I’ll keep you safe, bound as I am, and help you to evade 
the word of truth, the way, the light, the reason you were made. 

With thanks to Screwtape. 10th May 2021, Wiltshire, England.
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Healing in his wings

"For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who 
do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming 
shall burn them up,"
Says the LORD of hosts,
"That will leave them 
neither root nor branch.
But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the 
soles of your feet
On the day that I do this"
Says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:1-3
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Conquerers

Our peace in this present life should not depend on absence of adversity but on humble acceptance. Those who accept suffering will enjoy peace. Such a person is a conqueror of the self, a ruler of the world, a friend of Christ and an inheritor of heaven.

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ