The Monks

The huge silver teapots
that adorn the refectory table
and the velvety jam
gingerly spread
over thick wedges.
Quaint English civility
that masks what happens beneath.

As these black clad brothers retire
there is no convivial conversation
over cigars and brandy by roaring fire,
they return to their work
their continued encounter
with His divine self.

The rain, in sheets, lashes the rooftops
and the wind, whipped up, attempts
to penetrate the panes in windows
which rattle in their frames
and give rise to the feeling
that this is a fortress
in the great battle beyond.

These men in humble habits
are warriors for a world  we rarely see
yet they dwell in for life.
Each worldly distraction,
each body afflicted with illness
or the fragility of mortality
is but a speck in the grand plan
of the eternity they bear witness to
and becomes nothing more
than fodder for their prayers
which continue to rise
like the obsidian winged companion
of their Holy founding father.

He who took the fire
which was kindled in the East
and built around it a school
that we may too learn
how to fan the embers
embedded in our souls
that they may burst into flame
for Him, who calls
each and every disciple
to be a monk in ordinary life
with singularity of focus
to prefer nothing
to the love of Christ.

SJMC+
(Written: 2.VIII.17)

Him

I saw him again yesterday
the wandering vagrant
true beauty disguised
in ripped, button down shirt,
the wild beard hiding
strong and dignified chin.

Close enough to hear,
‘Spare some change, please’
a simple request
delivered with tone calm and polite
routinely ignored yet offering,
‘God bless you’
to those that turn away.

Christ is often on his lips
and walking at his side.
This poet of Portobello,
this son of the living God.

I’ll see him again today
and my heart will be heavy,
I’ll return to my home,
To my knees,
To my prayers
and they shall say
‘Isn’t he good, isn’t he holy’

But that man
My brother
Will still be hungry.
Whatever you did
for the least of these
you did to me.

SJMC+

(Written: 27.VII.17)

The Cassock

There will be days when it feels heavy
from the moment you put it on
and feel the weight of it upon your shoulders.
May this remind you of all you now carry,
the sacred duty set before you.

There will be days when it is light.
When the cool breeze catches the hem,
when you are unhindered as you effortlessly
stride across your parish.
May this remind you the great joy it is to serve.

There will be days when, tired or ill
you fumble with each button,
cursing that there are so many.
May this remind you of your faithful flock, who,
fumble and stumble in their devotion
and look to you as guide.

There will be days when wearing it feels like armour
battle armour as you enter the fray
it will make you feel like you can do anything.
May this remind you that it is but material
and you are but flesh, but, with Him, all is possible.

There will be days when it gleams in the sunlight,
fresh off the hanger, new from the wash.
The deep black unblemished by mark or stain.
May this remind you to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in
but also, that God calls you afresh each morning
back to His vineyard.

There will be days when it hangs limply from you
looks faded in the evening dusk,
marked with wax and dust and dirt,
creased and crumpled from travel and vestments.
May this remind you of the rich variety
of where you go, into the margins
and those that you meet.

When you wear it, remember
you are an ambassador for Christ,
not because He cannot make it Himself,
but because He is within you.

May the sight of you be a comfort to the poor
and a reprimand to the powerful.
And most of all
Keep the rumour of God alive
and reveal His love to those you meet.

SJMC+
(Written 25.VI.17)
This was written as I reflected on my practice of wearing my cassock and became what I wanted to say to a very dear friend as he was ordained Deacon in 2017.

Grenfell

Words seem futile
scrawled hopelessly across this page
to be read in low light
in the shadow of that tower
cast long over us.

Standing tall still
blackened and desolate
the graves of the uncounted
a mocking monument
to human inadequacy.

I cannot begin to imagine,
or to contemplate that horror
and yet, when I close my eyes,
I can see it, I can hear them.
My mind poisoned,
by a sight I wish I’d never seen
but one that I know, now
must never be forgotten.

Those people.
Those lives.
Must be brought to mind
and be often on our lips
that we may never forget
or be allowed to believe
that anyone
is anything less,
than human.

SMJC+
(Written: 28.VI.17)

Son of Peter

Kneel.
Take your place upon the floor.
Those hands of his,
joined, placed upon your head.
The weight of them
should remind you
of the weight that you now bear.
The trials and tribulations
of the faithful,
their joy and glory
upon your shoulders.
Our hands too,
on your  head, your back.
When you sink,
as you will,
for you cannot carry it alone
those palms, our fingers
will grasp your frame,
and lift you.
We are yours,
You are now ours.
My brother.

SJMC+
(Written: 24.VI.17)

Corpus

The vultures circle
in cloudless sky,
glinting, beady eyes
fix upon the corpse.

But this is flesh
imbued with life,
not cast aside for scavengers
on a pilgrimage of plunder
but held, lifted, shown
to poor, to meek, to voiceless,
to those that would never ask
let alone take.

The golden surround
pales in the presence of His glory,
so small and white,
behind the glass
yet never contained.

It is the scaffold for my spirit,
in one moment, support
in another,
the place of my execution
as man must die
in His gaze
to be lifted, like Him
with Him.

SJMC+
(Written 18.VI.17)

The World

It clamours for attention
jostling an already whirring mind,
peering out from life’s train carriage
eyes unable to fix on a single spot
as the world zips past
all a blur.

There is nothing to do
but force eye lids closed,
breath deeply
and lean hard upon the static soul,
that pillar within,
rooting me to the spot.

Here is begins
the restoration of the divine image
tarnished by disordered attachment,
exhausted from futile attempts
to chase manufactured contentment

And all the while
ignoring the silent action
taking place within,
drawing this fragile human frame
back home

SJMC+
(Written: 1.VI.17)

Of your Charity

Before the blueprint was drawn
and the scaffolding erected
in the cosmos,
before the innocent infant earth
had made her first cry
as she birthed,
He whispered through time
through the chaos,
carefully corralled,
and endowed me
with my vocation.

The universal calling
to join the anarchy of love,
fierce and unrelenting,
in the face of self-preservation.

But how?
who can achieve
so great a command?
What school can teach me?

None but He
who builds love
with his own flesh and blood.

SJMC+
(Written: 26.V.17)

The Annunciation

Whispered words
that shatter childhood innocence
she could not understand
let alone conceive.
Winged stranger,
scarce comfort.
Do not be afraid
but quake
the life you live
the life you bring
shall make nations fall.
Your heart breaks
pierced, torn.
Light burns,
aglow in the simple yes.

SJMC+
(Written: 25.III.17)