Category Archives: holy days

Born of water and the Spirit

Posted on March 4, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

I am not preaching this Sunday, and there was no little Lenten story/legend this morning, so consider this an offering to replace them both. ____________ You know, although it wasn’t recorded, that when God made Adam — dust of the … Continue reading →

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Things that do not exist

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

Taken out of context it reads like a ghost, 
like the time I conjured up a cat 
in the attic that leapt like a flame 
and vanished along with its own shadow 
when I was a child.  Continue reading →

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Saint Non

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

When David was born, and heaven and earth conspired to keep him and his mother safe from predatory evil, the earth split open once again, in sympathy with her birth pangs, and the rock on which she leaned melted like wax to take the imprint of her hand. Dewi was born into deep mercy. Continue reading →

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St David

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten legend A pigeon with a golden beak fed him from its overflowing crop words of grace like kisses that he might strew abroad with every penitential sigh the love of our sweet Saviour; his breath uncluttered by … Continue reading →

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Money changers

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten story The priest asked me to come and help with an afternoon christening at church, which I did. His wife (another priest) kindly entertained the children while I helped host the family gathered around the font. After … Continue reading →

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Out of time

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten story. ______________ Beginning to surface from the night, sleep-weed still encircling my ankles, I thought, with langorous urgency, that I must text my mother right away; I soothed my awakening conscience that we had kept in touch … Continue reading →

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The story of Barry Baker

Posted on February 25, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little legend for Lent Once upon a time, an indeterminate number of centuries ago, a little boy was found on the Barry Island beach. The child, not more than a year old, was wrapped in a blanket and laid … Continue reading →

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Bread

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten story I made my own bread when the children were small, with the aid of a machine. They ate it ravenously, sometimes playing Eucharist: “This is my toast, given for you.” My eldest bequeathed me a recipe … Continue reading →

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Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

Lent is a time, if nowhen else is, not to perform piety, but to practice humility; not to perform beneficence, but to practice generosity; not to perform mourning but to practice grief, for all that is done that should have been left undone; for all that should have been done that has been left undone; with tears and trembling, and the sure and certain knowledge that God, who is compassion and mercy, sees us. Continue reading →

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Shrove Tuesday

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

O God of branches and hosannas, forgive the dried state of last year’s palms; trampled by Holy Week and scant adoration, they have desiccated, as our hearts too often do, too. Kindle them, our hearts and our psalms, to fresh … Continue reading →

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