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 …

30 Spiritual Themes – 21st – Open

~ For more on 30 Spiritual Themes, see the page here. ~ 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 blog is named after St. Francis of Assisi – the “Poverello” (little …

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 …

Spiritual Reflection: It Costs Your Life

Committing to a spiritual life has consequences for the whole of life.  Considering the implications is helpful to lay deep foundations, to help you through the inevitable low times, and to give balance in the highs. Impressed by another's spirituality, a man immediately declared he wished to copy his lifestyle.  But the other was cautious... …

Contemplative Spirituality

What is contemplative spirituality? It’s similar to meditation.  It can involve silence.  It involves stillness and waiting. It is about the inner world but also the world around us. It is also about what can’t be seen. I first learnt about contemplative spirituality from reading The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila.  The describes …

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 …

Spiritual Reflection – Light Out of Darkness…

Each day a new day dawns. Light comes out of darkness. I think of The Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi: Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,especially through my lord Brother Sun,who brings the day;and you give light through him.And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour! There …

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 …