when a child leaves the breast
for solid food
it does not look back
it grows
the seed is nourished by earth
then spreads towards the sun
so: taste the scarlet sky
open towards wisdom
hide no longer in yourself
you came here like a star
that had no name
enter the night
Blog: Pictures-Books-Reflections
Christian theology in Practice
Posted on by James Woodward
Christian Theology in Practice
Discovering a Discipline
Bonnie J. Miller –McLemore
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2012
I have had a rather frustrating time of late due, in part, to a paucity of stimulating reading in the
morning rain
Posted on by James Woodward
The dawn light. A light rain.
I hear it on the treetop leaves.
Then, the mist. The morning wind
blows it and the clouds away.
Now colours deepen, and a sense of grace:
the presence of water.
And then, across the landscape
the smell of morning rain.
Du Fu (712-77
The Right to Die?
Posted on by James Woodward
Sometimes life moves at such a busy pace that it's easy to think of it as just one thing after another. I think we probably spend too little time processing things, though I was glad to be warned by a friend that too much self-introspection is not entirely healthy!
Las
The Solemnity of St George 2012: Garter Day
Posted on by James Woodward
The organisation that goes into Garter day here in Windsor Castle is quite extraordinary.There are the rehearsals, careful planning of time, consideration of the unpredictable nature of our English weather, organisation of security, music, military bands, processions, guards of h
luminous
Posted on by James Woodward
the day is remarkable
luminous, joyful
so easy, to live
with the taste of colour
love makes me laugh
and, at the last
moment, I open
my eyes.
Paul Eluard, Serie
Go straight to terminal one! Further musings…
Posted on by James Woodward
I think that some of you know that for much of last year I was involved in the Falconer Commission on assisted dying.Itwas a fascinating year and one not without its measure of controversy.Much is made about my dissension from the main recommendations to change the law to all
steel
Posted on by James Woodward
Lay me on an anvil, O God.
Beat me and hammer me into a crowbar.
Let me pry loose old walls.
Let me lift and loosen old foundations.
Lay me on an anvil, O God.
Beat me and hammer me into a steel spike.
Drive me into the girders that hold a skyscraper together.
Take red-hot
shining
Posted on by James Woodward
I've tried the new moon tilted in the air
Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster
As you might try a jewel in your hair.
I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster,
Alone, or in one ornament combining
With one first-water start almost shining.
I put it shining an
pink
Posted on by James Woodward
Blossoms will run away,
Cakes reign but a Day,
But Memory like Melody
Is pink Eternally.
Emily Dickinson, Blossoms will run away
Prayers for HM the Queen
Posted on by James Woodward
Almighty God, who rulest over all the kingdoms of the world, and dost order them according to thy good pleasure: We yield thee unfeigned thanks, for that thou wast pleased, as on this day, to set thy Servant our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth upon the Throne of this Realm. Let
A week in the life of… Part 4 – Saturday.
Posted on by James Woodward
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations are now well underway with the Queen having just arrived in Epsom for the Derby! Windsor is full of visitors streaming through the Castle and Chapel.On days like this it's very difficult to fight your way through to the shops with excited and I
LIVING THE QUESTIONS
Posted on by James Woodward
"...be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and
like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not
now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you
listening
Posted on by James Woodward
I wonder about the trees.
Why do we wish to bear
Forever the noise of these
More than another noise
So close to our dwelling place?
We suffer them by the day
Till we lose all measure of pace,
And fixity in our joys,
And acquire a listening air.
They are that that talks o
A week in the life of… Part three Monday!
Posted on by James Woodward
It's Monday morning at the start of the working week and the beginning of three weeks of being Canon in residence here at St George's Chapel Windsor.The May sunshine continues to exceed expectations and it gives everyone such a extraordinary sense of holiday.many many visitors cr
A day in the life of… Part two?!
Posted on by James Woodward
The College of St George as a rhythm and pattern – a routine of three terms fitting neatly round the cycle of the Church's year.Today with Christians throughout the world we have marked the feast of Pentecost.This is a celebration of holy disturbance, of transformation
Water
Posted on by James Woodward
If I were called in
To construct a religion
I should make use of water.
Going to church
Would entail a fording
To dry, different clothes;
My litany would employ
Images of sousing,
A furious devout drench,
And I should raise in the east
A glass of water
Where any-an
A Week in the Life of ??
Posted on by James Woodward
I started my blog nearly 4 years ago when I was fortunate enough to secure a sabbatical in the United States of America.I had spent 10 years in Temple Balsall engaged in parish work, the support of the church school and the constantly demanding work of overseeing the organisa
listening
Posted on by James Woodward
I wonder about the trees.
Why do we wish to bear
Forever the noise of these
More than another noise
So close to our dwelling place?
We suffer them by the day
Till we lose all measure of pace,
And fixity in our joys,
And acquire a listening air.
They are that that talks of g