Category Archives: holy days

Do not be afraid of the dark

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

An Advent devotion for the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. Today is the commemoration of St John of the Cross; Juan de la Cruz Juan de la Cruz is best known to us for his luminous phrase, “the dark night of … Continue reading →

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The Feast of St Andrew

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

“No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.” (Deuteronomy 30:14) “And he said to them, ‘Follow me …’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew … Continue reading →

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So you want to give thanks …

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

… but you do not want to deny your grief, for the loss of life, and love, and hope that you have suffered. You want to give thanks, but you are afraid of becoming faithless, betraying your pain. It is … Continue reading →

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Stealing a blessing

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Christ the King Sunday arrives with less pomp and circumstance than ambiguous authority; a compromised crown; the scandal of the crucifixion. Yet there is a promise to be heard: not only that we, like the thief on the cross whose … Continue reading →

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All Hallows Eve

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

spirits wake the crones take bones and withered skin to dance by starlight  feigning beauty phoenix feather passion soon consumed, confused the saints dream resurrection, raise a hymn of praise against the silence of the night a cowl thrown across … Continue reading →

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Michael and all angels

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

I am tired of angels. I am tired of their wings beating hollow drums of war, their obsequious, their patronizing, “Do not be afraid;’ their inconvenient words to frightened virgins and old women. I am tired of their entrapment of … Continue reading →

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Trinity 2016: Delight

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Wisdom calls out – the wisdom of God; we may know her as the Holy Spirit. When she is spoken aloud, she becomes the Word. The Word was in the beginning, the yet unspoken, ever articulate Wisdom of God. Only … Continue reading →

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Unbabel

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Slab-flat vowels like a block of dough slapped down on the kneading board; sibilant aromas of spice and fruit from afar off mingle with crisp consonants. Syllables roll like oranges through the early morning marketplace; polyphonic strangers drawn by the … Continue reading →

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Ascension (inversion)

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Precipitous falling land & water at the shore where dust turns to clay, matter moulded to our humanity. A low fog confuses earth with its firmament; the mud holds its breath until the star breaks, rising in the east.

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Easter 2016: seeking the living

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

Why do you look for the living among the dead? These angels are irrepressible! The women are on their faces on their ground in fear, and the angels, instead of telling them, “Do not be afraid,” are giggling and teasing … Continue reading →

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