Category Archives: prayer

Penitence

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

After William Wordsworth’s “Preface to Lyrical Ballads,” 1800 Recollected in tranquillity, passions burnt beyond their embers. Unguarded breath conjures dust devils, smoke without fire, echoes of disgrace remembered by the ashen light of dawn. Dignified in variegated gray, sifted, judiciously, … Continue reading →

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Bitter

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

Stone on my tongue cold and bitter grit rasps my teeth sets them on edge sharp and dangerous; my heart is in my mouth. Take this heart of stone the bitter grit; feed me sweet flesh feed me sweet honeyed … Continue reading →

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Return

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

Without prayer my words are empty air Without silence I bellow in the wind Without praise my anger turns to bitterness Without passion my blood runs wasted cold Without humility endurance loses its endeavour Without return disquiet finds no rest … Continue reading →

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Broken

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

At the parish where I celebrate Communion week by week, we use pita for the bread – a nice Middle Eastern connection. I tear off a small piece for each person who presents themself at the altar rail, place it … Continue reading →

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Truth

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

  Truth is not proud, running his calloused hands across the welt of guilt, knowing good from evil, deliverance from dependence on temptation to sway the scales. Truth is not innocent of the burden of each deficit of decency, quavering … Continue reading →

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Kingdom

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

Almighty God, great above all gods, in your hands are all the nations of the earth, and none is beyond the reach of your authority, nor of your grace. Look with compassion upon your people here, we pray, that we may … Continue reading →

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Timeless

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

One of our Lay Preachers had the pulpit this morning, which is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. She used two of his prayers to frame a sermon which relied mostly on his words, spoken during the March on … Continue reading →

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Magi

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Rosalind C Hughes

Stargazers, seeking signs in the old, cold light of the heavens; startled to find God’s grace reflected instead by the bright tears of a child, if only they will stoop so low to pay him homage.

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Shoulder season

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

The Spirit keeps reaching, gripping my shoulders, telling me to sit, stay a while. Over my shoulder, promising, promising soon, soon, surging on to one more thing, I feel the snag of her fingers between my bones, aching from raking … 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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