The Heavens Open

(Always Beyond Defeat cycle #4) Sometimes the heavens open And there is love Not rain Though water brings life They say And the voice Which names us beloved Will say these words Of blessing Again, and again, And again. ~ This is the next in a cycle of poems inspired by scenes from the life …

That Living Way

~ Baptised But not into the mind ~ Of the lizard god But into the life ~ Of the Living God And to stay ~ In that living Way. ~ Inspired by Richard Rohr: "“merely to survive and preserve our life is a low-level instinct that we share with good little lizards … but we …

Spiritual Reflection – To Know the Power of Love

What would it feel like to know you were fully and totally loved? Some of us think of romantic love in this way. We think of a special person we can love fully, and who will fully love us. This painting is about love, though you might not think so at first. "Baptism of Christ', …

I arise (2) – Belovedness

This series of posts was insired by The Lorica of St. Patrick, a long prayer of protection that has inspired millions down through the centuries. It beings with such inspiration, repeating the phrase "I arise" - perfect as we rise, and the sun rises, for the start of each new day. The line this post …

Witnesses of Love

This moment draws me again and again, and Pierro della Francesca's painting reinforces the wonder: . At that baptism We become . Witnesses Of love. .

Casting Off The Clothes Of Culture

In the middle background, behind the figure of Christ, is man taking off his shirt, ready to be baptised. This poem in the sequence on this painting focuses on how we also might "cast off the clothes of our culture"... . May we like him cast off the clothes of our culture . And in …

Christological Spirituality (3) – A baptism of epiphany

An epiphany is a realisation, or a revelation - mysteriously gaining a new insight or understanding. Can we adopt a spirituality of epiphany? Are there certain conditions in which epiphanies of meaning are more likely to happen? This third post on Christological Spirituality looks at Christ's baptism. And like the previous post in this series …

Inspiring Paintings – Descending slowly now like a gentle dove

. Wash away The original wound . By the sound Of your voice . And the grace Of your love . Descending slowly Now like a gentle dove. . Baptism of Christ, Piero Della Francesca

The Baptism of Life

. Even he Was rinsed by the rite . The passage From life to another . So when we see Each tiny child . Crying In parents’ arms . Blessed By water’s birth . We know life stronger Stronger now than death. .

A Month of Inspirers (3) – Icons

Icons can be understood as portals or doorways to deeper realities.  We are not meant to just like the colours, the shapes, the composition, the thoughts or the stories that come to mind. By extension, many paintings (and other works of art) also point beyond themselves, and help us on our spiritual way. This is …