It seems that Jerusalem has a divided heart.
Or could it be, rather, a shared heart.
Something for us to pray for and work at, perhaps.
Friday, 22 May 2020
Sunday, 17 May 2020
About oil and water and sacraments
Water washes off and cleanses us.
Oil seeps in and enriches us.
These are marvellous outward signs for the sacraments.
In baptism, we are, 'washed' free, symbolically, from all the effects of ours and of others' human frailties, faults and failings as we are welcomed into the family of God.
In confirmation, matrimony and holy orders, we are anointed with oil to nourish us as we enter into a new state of life.
In the anointing of the sick, we are anointed with oil as a remedy and a symbol for the healing of our bodies and souls.
What very precious gifts are both oil and water.
May we always appreciate, value and treasure them both.
Oil seeps in and enriches us.
These are marvellous outward signs for the sacraments.
In baptism, we are, 'washed' free, symbolically, from all the effects of ours and of others' human frailties, faults and failings as we are welcomed into the family of God.
In confirmation, matrimony and holy orders, we are anointed with oil to nourish us as we enter into a new state of life.
In the anointing of the sick, we are anointed with oil as a remedy and a symbol for the healing of our bodies and souls.
What very precious gifts are both oil and water.
May we always appreciate, value and treasure them both.
About the 'breath' of life
As oxygen is to our bodies,
so God's Spirit is to our souls.
For the health and life of our bodies and souls,
may we learn to breathe deeply upon both.
so God's Spirit is to our souls.
For the health and life of our bodies and souls,
may we learn to breathe deeply upon both.
Monday, 11 May 2020
About resisting and defeating evil
There is a spirit of evil roaming about the world,
looking for somewhere to gain a foothold.
It is up to us to make sure
that we do not leave our doors open.
The 'devil' is an evil spirit who has many minions trawling about the world, looking for places to infiltrate. *
Do we need to fear these evil spirits? No, not at all! They have no actual power at all, only the capacity to lie and to distort reality.
We can and should try to see these lies for what they are and choose to discount them.
We alone give these impotent spirits power if we allow ourselves to be influenced by them, by listening to their lies and allowing them to affect us in negative ways.
It is said that the best way to defeat evil spirits is to laugh at them. They can't stand that because it shows them that they cannot defeat us.**
*A marvellous depiction of this idea is to be found in The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
** See If Satan can't steal your Joy by Jerry Savelle.
looking for somewhere to gain a foothold.
It is up to us to make sure
that we do not leave our doors open.
The 'devil' is an evil spirit who has many minions trawling about the world, looking for places to infiltrate. *
Do we need to fear these evil spirits? No, not at all! They have no actual power at all, only the capacity to lie and to distort reality.
We can and should try to see these lies for what they are and choose to discount them.
We alone give these impotent spirits power if we allow ourselves to be influenced by them, by listening to their lies and allowing them to affect us in negative ways.
It is said that the best way to defeat evil spirits is to laugh at them. They can't stand that because it shows them that they cannot defeat us.**
*A marvellous depiction of this idea is to be found in The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
** See If Satan can't steal your Joy by Jerry Savelle.
Sunday, 10 May 2020
About having children and learning to love
Having children can teach us how to love others
and in fact, can teach us how to love.
It can also show us,
more than anything I've ever experienced,
how God loves us.
and in fact, can teach us how to love.
It can also show us,
more than anything I've ever experienced,
how God loves us.
Monday, 4 May 2020
A prayer about praying
When I pray, dear Lord,
help me to empty myself of me
and fill myself with you.
help me to empty myself of me
and fill myself with you.
Saturday, 2 May 2020
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