Perfect Joy

Not in knowledge or conversions            in healings, exorcisms, or raisings of the dead                      is to be found perfect happiness But despite hostility, assault and attack           to praise God daily therein he said is perfect joy. Image by Yamid arevalo castro from Pixabay

Dark Days

On the dark days the devils appear . And read the roll-call of our doubts and fears . Then we need a spirit to visit us in love . Reassure us of forgiveness mercy promised from above.

In the Wood

. To one praying In the wood . The word of God Came . Louder than The human voice . The other saw deeper Into Christ . Through His tears . Than forests Of theologians. . Inspired by 'The Little Flowers of St. Francis' .

The Nakedness of Our Condition

~ The bishop holds him      like a child ~ And in his nakedness   we see our own condition ~ Without impressiveness without pretence ~ Open   to grace. ~ This poem takes its inspiration from the moment in St. Francis of Assisi's life when he renounced his father dramatically by literally stripping off all his clothes …

Inspiring Paintings: Leaving and Finding a Father

~ One father curses another blesses ~ While onlookers stare and the bishop turns away ~ And finally What is this all about? ~ Even heaven And earth. ~ In this dramatic painting by Giotto,  Francis has taken off all his clothes and is appealing to God.  His earthly father (on the left), who demanded …

Inspiring Paintings: “The Soul In Ecstasy” (Bellini)

. The soul In ecstasy .  At a living World  . Speaking Joy . Returning Prayers .  To God Identified .  Through nature And living word. . 'St. Francis in Ecstasy', Bellini

Holy Innocents

On the 28th December, the Holy Innocents - innocent children - are remembered. This poem is called "Like a Child" ~ The bishop holds him             like a child ~ And in his nakedness             we see our own condition ~ Without impressiveness             without pretence ~ Open             to grace. ~ It takes its …

A Year of Inspirers (16) – Francis of Assisi

. Why Him? . Why him why him why him? . Because it seems God chose one so foolish and so poor . To show that only openness to God is enough. This poem was inspired by one of the stories about St. Francis of Assisi, a man open to nature, open to others, especially …

Reflections on The Poverello (9) – The Endurance of The Poverello

One passage in The Little Flowers of St. Francis is about endurance.  Whatever else Francis of Assisi was, he was certainly resilient!  It’s an extended passage but worth reading in full: ONCE … St. Francis called Friar Leo … and spoke…: "O Friar Leo, although the minor friar should give sight to the blind, make …

Reflections on The Poverello (8) – Facing Your Fears

We all react to crises in many different ways.  I have noticed how members of religious orders, perhaps unsurprisingly, have been able to offer very clear positive attitudes during the Pandemic.  Many people in religious orders are used to solitude, silence, contemplation – and I was very struck by one post by a nun about …