Category Archives: Prayer and Devotion

Jesus holds open the door Part 6: We declare: “Grace and truth have come into the world. There is a redeemer”. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it”. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. And we have seen his glory – look past the word; we haveContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 6)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 5: If we truly look, it is horrific; evil is set to win; yet still there is hope A person on life’s journey confronts reality. “Fear consumes me. Horror overwhelms me. Hatred has swallowed me – and hatred for those who harm me is harnessed with the self-hatred IContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 5)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 4: See and hold everything together. The dynamic changelessness of God. We must stay clear-sighted and hold our capacity for both good and evil clearly in mind at all times. Somehow, we have to rejoice at the wonder of life, even while we weep at the suffering of others.Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 4)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 3: The human condition is crushing, but it’s in our nature So, Christ holds open his arm in love, but what is he doing? He is holding open a door. How are we, we members of humankind, to cope with the anguish of being human? How do we bearContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 3)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 2: God’s masterplan of salvation achieved through the love and sacrificial suffering of Jesus Christ holds open his arms in love, held in place, not by nails, but by his compassion. The love of God cannot be restricted, pinioned in place by human actions; he is always free, unrestrained.Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 2)”

(A devotional piece in 8 parts. The style is more analytical than my usual devotions, but, because of the content, I place it as a devotion) Jesus holds open the door Part 1: Introduction: focussing on Jesus Christ Religion is the deepest answer to the needs of humanity.  It is the repository of the wisest,Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 1)”

Keeping in step with the Spirit To place the next step securely, with confidence, assurance, To move forward, making progress, delightedly creative, To be focussed, not distracted, not turning aside, To make my way towards my goal, not deterred, not blocked, not confounded by obstacles, To know deep peace in my heart as I travel,Continue reading “Keeping in step with the Spirit”

My heart is sad till I find a promise I can keep My heart is sad, weeping slow drops of regret into a pool of sorrow. Eaten away, the hollowness and rot expose the decay at my very roots. I am destroying myself, sinking into despair, Desperately reaching for a firm edge to hold onto.Continue reading “My heart is sad till I find a promise I can keep“

Listening to the Benedictine monks sing their Gregorian chant Listening to the chant, I’ve long been able to hear the joy in the monks’ voices, but now I can hear the love. These are men in love, but not with a woman, but with God. They are in love with love, in love with theContinue reading “Listening to the Benedictine monks sing their Gregorian chant”

Devoted to God Everything is done with the utmost, precise ritual. The gospel cannot be read unless the reader is first blessed. The reader does not begin before pausing in deep contemplation and kissing the page. The bread and wine are not brought to the altar without it being wafted with incense from all sides.Continue reading “Devoted to God”