Category Archives: Holy Days

Peter denies the Christ

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

Peter denies the Christ(John 18:1-27) Malchus It was dark. Smokefrom torches refused to rise, hung about the olives and our eyes,flames close to dying as though lightitself were loath to bear witness Servant girl It was cold;the kind of springmorning … Continue reading →

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Sleep, prayer, grief, and Jesus

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

Jesus knew that he would conquer death and sin – he had told them over and again that he would rise – but he was grieved and frightened and anguished at the capacity of his human captors for violence. There is no contradiction here: it was from ourselves that he came to save us. That is why he advises his disciples, “Pray that you may not be tested.”  Continue reading →

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The Friday Feast: Annunciation

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

We interrupt the Friday Fast series for the Feast of the Annunciation, the story itself of a glorious interruption … Annunciation What strange boldness to announce the Wordto his astonished Mother; Auden had it right,the falling star blitzing its way … Continue reading →

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The Friday Fast: spring snow

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

Like snow that falls after the daffodils have shown their colours, Friday afternoon slips in at the end of a long, slow week to whisper, “One more fast yet before the Sabbath.”

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Ash Wednesday: ice to ashes

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

Last Saturday, I spent far too much time and energy chipping away at the layer of ice that was left behind after I shovelled the snow. I did it because the sun was out and I knew that if I … Continue reading →

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Shrive vs shrivel

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

Write me the script for a new heart, O God; 
scratch out a new and shriven, 
unshrivelled spirit within me.  Continue reading →

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(Holy Saturday)

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

How to carry the world’s pain – the cries of the children, the palsy of their great-grandparents confused with the tremors of memory; the subtle, internal turmoil that turns digestion upside down – violence is not a visitor but an … Continue reading →

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A Song of Anna

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

What would it sound like, what would it feel like, if we had Anna’s song, too, to sing as our prayers rise like incense at the end of the day? Continue reading →

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The gifts of the wise ones

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

The Feast of the Epiphany is a new year of sorts for us, the people of Epiphany. Who knows what this one will bring. But if we are able to keep our hearts and minds and expectations open; if we deploy the gifts of humility, creativity, faith that the magi, the wise ones have taught us, then we may find unexpected grace, unlooked-for epiphanies, the glory of God waiting for us to stumble upon it as the year takes shape, growing like a child, full of curiosity, wonder, and delight.  Continue reading →

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When worlds collide

Posted on January 6, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

Today, while our church celebrates and ruminates on the revelation of Christ to the nations – the arrival of the magi at the manger and their joyful homage to the child they recognized as the saviour of the world – the news cycle is full of analysis, unresolved shock, and grief over what happened and what so nearly happened to our nation a year ago today. Continue reading →

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