whole: Sunday 2

But for God to reach us, we have to allow suffering to wound us. Now is no time for an academic solidarity with the world. Real solidarity needs to be felt and suffered. That’s the real meaning of the word “suffer” – to allow someone else’s pain to influence us in a real way. WeContinue reading “whole: Sunday 2”

k’s big birthday gratitude project 2

Some of you will have already come across a version of this post or an extract of its content … but there are at least two immediate reasons to repeat myself! The first reason for being especially grateful is that the Godspace blog has been central to my growing confidence as a writer and thusContinue reading “k’s big birthday gratitude project 2”

gospel 6: Be on the watch for Me.

Aware of who I AM?  Awake to where I AM? Look.  I AM the ColourSwirler.  I AM the LightBearer.  I AM the StarGuider.  I AM the PrayerReceiver.  I AM the ViewFinder.  I AM the HealthBringer.  I AM the WisdomKeeper. Look. I AM in the eyes of the poor.   Look. I AM reflected in theContinue reading “gospel 6: Be on the watch for Me.”

watchnight 2020

The water is one thing, and one thing for miles. The water is one thing, making this bridge Built over the water another. Walk it Early, walk it back when the day goes dim, everyone Rising just to find a way toward rest again. We work, start on one side of the day Like aContinue reading “watchnight 2020”

Christmas Eve 2020

Here, where the rivers dredge upthe very stone of Heaven, we name its colors—muttonfat jade, kingfisher jade, jade of appleskin green. And here, in the glitteringhues of the Flemish Masters, we sample their wine;rest in their windows’ sun warmth,cross with pleasure their scrubbed tile floors.Everywhere the details leap like fish— bright shardsof water out ofContinue reading “Christmas Eve 2020”

Blue Christmas 2020

The twilight turns from amethyst  To deep and deeper blue,  The lamp fills with a pale green glow  The trees of the avenue.  The old piano plays an air,  Sedate and slow and gay;  She bends upon the yellow keys,  Her head inclines this way.  Shy thought and grave wide eyes and hands  That wanderContinue reading “Blue Christmas 2020”

day 16

[Art is] contemplative because [it] ignites memories of the awe and wonder that we tend to discard after childhood. . . . When we decide to live in our heads only, we become isolated from the God who is closer than our next breath. To subject everything to rational analysis reduces the awe to ashes.Continue reading “day 16”

I am green

(all images by Kate Kennington Steer) As I mentioned in a previous post for Godspace written in 2016, I have long been fascinated by and inspired by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), not least because despite her struggles with persistent ill health she was a writer, a composer, a scientist, a preacher, a prophetic visionary, andContinue reading “I am green”

psalms for passiontide: Easter Eve vigil Psalm 136

Thank God! He deserves your thanks.     His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods,     His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords.     His love never quits. Thank the miracle-working God,     His love never quits. The God whose skill formed the cosmos,     His love never quits. The God who laid out earthContinue reading “psalms for passiontide: Easter Eve vigil Psalm 136”

psalms for passiontide: Maundy Thursday Psalm 116.1,10-17

As I write this I am at present without a voice due to a virus I picked up several weeks ago.  My throat is my weak spot and a barometer to the state of my overall health, and over the last few years I have experienced several lengthy periods where I can only whisper, andContinue reading “psalms for passiontide: Maundy Thursday Psalm 116.1,10-17”