THE LORD SPOKE TO THE RAVENS

 

"Then the Word of the LORD came to Elijah. "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there."

So he did with the LORD told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook." [1 Kings 17:2-6]

The ravens brought him bread

Upon the lonely mountain side,
Where shadowed cliffs and dark caves hide;
The prophet rested, worn and weak,
With hollow heart and parchéd cheek.

Beside the brook in Kerith vale,
Where desert winds and shadows pale
Didst sweep across the rugged stone -
Elijah thought himself alone.

Yet God Who formed the earth and sky,
Who hears the smallest sparrow cry -
Spoke softly through the morning air
To creatures of His tender care.

The ravens heard the Lord Most High,
Who guides the eagle when to fly;
They searched the villages around,
Till bread for Elijah they had found.

At break of dawn their wings took flight,
Again they came by fading light;
With morsels borne in beaks so small,
Obeying faithfully God’s own call.

The brook flowed cool beside the cave,
A quiet stream God kindly gave;
Each drop a whisper from above:
“I keep thee in My watchful love.”

O why then do our hearts despair,
And tremble underneath life’s care?
Why fear tomorrow’s unknown way,
When God sustains both night and day?

The Lord Who taught the birds to feed,
Knows every sorrow, want, and need;
The One Who clothed the lilies fair,
Still watches all with patient care.

He speaks to all who live on earth,
All creatures whom His Word gave birth;
Forests, oceans, stars above,
All move according to His Love.

Yet we, who share this world so bright,
Too often wound instead of light;
We scorn the creatures by our side,
Though all in God’s own Hand abide.

The lamb, the raven, deer, and dove,
Were fashioned by the God of Love;
Our neighbours all beneath the sun
Belong unto the Holy One.

Then let us trust as Elijah did,
When all the world from sight was hid;
For even in the darkest cave,
The Lord remembers still to save.

When our hearts grow faint with fear,
May Heaven’s gentle Voice draw near:
“The God Who fed the ravens then,
Will surely care for thee again.”

The poem was inspired by 1 Kings 17:2-26

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Prophet and the Ravens" 

WHEN THE BOOK OF MY LIFE IS OPENED

 

When the book of my life is opened

One day there will be a reckoning, when all our days are told,
When every hidden thought is known, when time itself unfold;
Each of us shall stand there, before the judgment Throne,
Before the gaze of Christ our Lord, no merit of our own.

He will ask with piercing light, yet mercy in His Tone,
“What did you do with My Word, the seed that I have sown?
Were you faithful to My teaching, your footsteps true and right?
Or did you turn away from Me, and wander from My Light?”

I may answer, truthfully, “Lord, my life book has seen blot;
I sinned in word and silence, oft the better path forgot;
I hurt others, I did falter; I failed in love and deed,
And often acted blindly, unperceiving others’ need.

Yet through it all, I sought You; though stumbling on my way.
I tried to rise when fallen, to begin anew each day.
When I looked upon You, Lord, upon the Cross You bore,
I found the strength to stand again, when I could stand no more.

For even as You fell for me, beneath that heavy wood,
My heart was strangely lifted up to choose what once I should;
And so I learned in weakness, in sorrow and in pain,
That falling is not final when Your Mercy lifts again.

Yes, my book was marked and written. with faults beyond deny -
There were times I turned away, compassion passed me by;
There were moments I grew silent. when I should have stood for right,
When others’ pain lay open, and I failed them in their plight.

Yet still Your Mercy softened me, like rain upon dry ground,
In cracks of brokenness, Your healing Grace I found;
Slowly, imperfectly, I learned to love and give,
In Your Word and Sacrament, I learned again to live.

Oh, dear Lord, I cast myself, upon Your Mercy's Flame,
No great holiness of mind and soul, are ever mine to claim.
I only ask that when You look into this heart of mine,
You see the work of Your own Hand; and faintest trace of Thine.

Though my book is written in with pages stained and worn,
Still let Your Mercy gather what in love was truly born.
Let Your gentle hands, O Saviour, sift the gold from all my clay;
Please keep what was of You in me -  let the rest all pass away.

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Devotion before Royal Throne"

                                                               ********************

Public sermon by Reverend Vanessa Wyse Jackson December 2014; Dublin Ireland - 

"One day, there will be a reckoning. Jesus will ask us, what did we do with His Word in our lives?"

                                                                  Reverend Vanessa Wyse-Jackson

THE KINGDOM GROWS IN SILENCE - SONG

 

The Kingdom Grows in Silence

From but a mustard seed so small,
God’s Kingdom once was sown;
A tender shoot through earth arose,
By grace and mercy grown.

Though hidden first from human eyes,
Its roots spread deep and wide;
And weary souls from every land,
Found shelter there to bide.

The birds of air came seeking rest
Within the branches broad;
The weary burdened found their peace,
Beneath the tree of God.

As leaven hidden in the bread,
Moves softly through the whole;
So does Christ’s Mercy gently work,
Within the seeking soul.

No trumpet sound, no worldly throne,
No pride nor earthly fame;
Yet hearts are changed and lives renewed
Through calling on His Name.

So let us walk with humble love,
And ease each other’s strain;
While God doth raise the smallest seed,
To bless our earth again.

Lord, make Thy Church a living tree,
Whose branches open wide;
That all who seek may find true rest
And safely there abide.

Till all creation comes to know,
The peace Thy mercies bring;
And every heart in every land,
Rejoice that Christ is King.

This song may be sung to the public domain tune of "Amazing Grace," whose reflective and prayerful melody beautifully suits the spirit of the Parables of the Leaven and Mustard seed. To be in the public domain, means that it can be used freely without permission.

This hymn was inspired by the writing of GMA Jansen (Fr Norbert OP), page 15 of Pro Veritate Volume V No. 12. Baptism and Co-Existence. 15 April 1967

If you wish to know more about the article "Baptism and Co-Existence," please click in the following link:

https://sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/archive-files/PvApr67.pdf

With thanks to sahistory.org.za

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Blessing" 

SAINT ATHENAGORAS OF ATHENS - SONG

 

Saint Athenagoras of Athens

In ages dim of ancient days,
When fear opposed the Christian ways,
There rose a voice so calm and wise,
With mercy shining through his eyes.
Saint Athenagoras stood near,
To speak sweet truth when hearts knew fear;
With patient word and gentle art,
He brought God’s Light to mind and heart.

He answered not with wrathful flame,
Nor sought for gold or earthly fame;
But through the wisdom God had given,
He turned men's thoughts from earth to Heaven.
He taught that life is sacred still,
Not ours to wound by cruel will;
For every soul bears God above,
And each was fashioned by His Love.

He mourned the Cross on Calvary’s hill,
Where Christ fulfilled the Father’s Will;
The Holy Son of God was slain,
Yet rose to break the bonds of pain.
O saint of Athens, pure and mild,
You showed the Face of God’s dear Child;
The loving Lord whose mercies' breadth,
Outshine the sword and conquer death.

Through writings filled with grace and peace,
You taught that hatred too may cease;
That gentle truth and reason fair,
Can lift the soul from deep despair.
And now, dear saint, for us entreat,
That Christ may guide our wandering feet;
That we may take life’s pen each day,
And write God’s Truth along our way.

Within the parchment of the soul,
May Christ the King become the whole;
That all we think and say and do,
May bear His gentle Light anew.
Then when our earthly race is trod,
And we ascend to Heaven and God,
May you behold with joyful gaze
The fruits of faithful Christian ways.

May you then know us there above
By mercy, gentleness, and love;
For in our hearts Christ’s Voice shall ring  -
The Truth you served while witnessing.

This song may be sung to the public domain tune of “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” (also known as the Passion Chorale), which carries a solemn and devotional beauty fitting for Saint Athenagoras of Athens.

This song was inspired by the life and works of Saint Athenagoras.

CHURCH FATHERS: A Plea for the Christians

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0205.htm

With thanks to newadvent.org

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Light shines upon Saint Athenagoras"

EARLY CHURCH FATHER - SAINT ATHENAGORAS; WHAT CHRISTIANS CANNOT ENDURE . . .

 

SAINT ATHENAGORAS (133 - 190ce)

“We Christians cannot endure to see a man being put to death, even justly." 

Early Church Father

Holy Athenagoras was an Anti-Nicene early Church Father. He was a Greek philosopher and apologist who lived during the second century CE. Saint Athenagoras was Athenian (though possibly not from Athens), and converted to Christianity. This early Church Father wrote influential works about Christianity. 

  

Explanation of Christian beliefs and morals

Athenagoras of Athens was writing in the second century, at a time when Christians were often misunderstood and accused of crimes or disloyalty to the Roman Empire. In his work "A Plea for the Christians," addressed to the emperors Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, Athenagoras tried to explain Christian beliefs and morals.

When St Athenagoras wrote that Christians “cannot endure seeing a man put to death, even justly,” he was expressing several deeply connected Christian convictions;

Firstly, regarding the sacredness of human life.

Christians believe every human being is made in the Image of God. This comes from the Law of Moses in the Old Testament:

“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind” (Genesis 9:6).

Because human life bears God’s image, Christians saw killing as something grave and tragic, even when civil law permitted it.

Secondly, Athenagoras was cognizant of the example of Jesus Christ.

Early Christians were profoundly shaped by the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus was innocent, yet He was condemned and executed by earthly authorities. The memory of this injustice made Christians cautious about human judgment and the taking of life. They knew that courts and rulers could condemn the innocent.

Thirdly, St Athenagoras knew of Christ’s teaching on mercy and love in the gospels.

Lord Jesus taught: 

* “Love your enemies,” (Matt 5:43-48)

* “Blessed are the merciful,”(Matt 5:7)

* “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” (Matt 26:52)

Early Christians therefore emphasized forgiveness, repentance, and conversion rather than vengeance.

Fourthly, Athenagoras was aware that Christians espoused separation from culture of violence.

The Roman world accepted gladiatorial games, executions, exposure of infants, and warfare as normal parts of society. Christians stood apart from this culture. Many refused even to attend public executions or blood sports because they believed delight in bloodshed damaged the soul.

Fifthly, St Athenagoras embraced Christian's hope for repentance.

Christians believed that sinners could repent and be saved. Taking a life ended the possibility of earthly repentance. So many early Christian writers preferred mercy whenever possible.

This does not necessarily mean every early Christian rejected all forms of state punishment in the same way later Christians debated them. Rather, Saint Athenagoras of Athens was emphasizing the Christian instinct toward reverence for life and rejection of cruelty and bloodshed.

His words reflect the spirit of the early Church: grief at violence, reverence for life, and remembrance that the Son of God Himself suffered an unjust execution.

Saint Athenagoras' feast day is observed on 24 July in the Eastern Orthodox Church. 

Upon the parchment of the soul

In ages dim of ancient days,
Where conflict rose round Christian ways,
There rose a voice both calm and wise,
With mercy shining from his eyes.

Saint Athenagoras stood strong,
He spoke when others queried long;
With gentle word and patient tone,
He made sweet Truth and Love be known.

The Saint did not answer hate with flame,
Nor seek for glory, gold, or fame;
But carefully, with thoughtful art,
He spoke to mind and human heart.

He taught that life is sacred still,
Not ours to wound by wrathful will;
For every soul by God was made,
And bears His Image full displayed.

He mourned the Cross on Calvary’s height,
Where Christ was slain though pure and bright;
The Son of God this dread trial o'erwon,
To save each daughter and each son.

O blessed saint of Athens fair,
You answered harshness not with snare;
But with the light of reason true,
With words that breathe like early dew.

Through all your writings clear and mild,
We see the Face of God’s dear Child;
The merciful and loving Lord,
Whose Heart shines brighter than the sword.

Prithee, dear saint, that we may learn,
For Christ alone our hearts to burn;
That we take life's pen each day,
To write God’s Truth along our way.

Within the parchment of our soul,
May Christ the King become the whole;
That all we think and say and do,
May bear His gentle Light anew.

When at last our race is trod,
And we ascend to Heaven and our God,
May you behold with joyful eye,
The faith for which you made reply.

May you know us there above,
By mercy, gentleness, and love;
For in our hearts Christ’s Voice shall ring -
The Truth you served while witnessing.

CHURCH FATHERS: A Plea for the Christians

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0205.htm

With thanks to newadvent.org

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Saint Athenagoras in heavenly light"

CHURCH FATHER ARSENIUS

Church Father Arsenius;

Abba Mark asked Abba Arsenius ‘Is it good to have nothing in one's cell that might offer a little comfort? I saw a brother uprooting the few vegetables he has.’ Abba Arsenius replied, ‘That is good, but it must be done according to a person’s capacity. For if people do not have the strength for such a practice, they will soon plant others.’

Desert fathers

The desert fathers in the early church waited on the Word of God, and taught many lessons of holiness to others. Their words continue to inspire today.

Practice of mortification and self-sacrifice

The practice of mortification and self-sacrifice can help to discipline the spirit, teaching the soul patience, obedience, humility, and greater love of God. By willingly denying ourselves in small ways, we learn not to be ruled entirely by comfort, impulse, or pride, but to direct our hearts more faithfully toward what is holy and good. 

Tenderness and mercy

Yet the Christian life is never meant to become harsh obsession or destruction of the self. God created us as human beings with frail bodies, minds, and wills; we are dust, and He knows our weakness with tenderness and mercy.

Balance in all things

Therefore, there must be balance in all things. If we push ourselves beyond our true capacity, the mind, body, or spirit may eventually falter under strain. Discipline should strengthen the soul, not break it. Each person has different burdens, different strengths, and different limits known fully only to God. One person may endure much; another may quietly persevere through struggles unseen by the world.

Individual vocation and capacity

For this reason, we should practise self-denial with wisdom, moderation, and peace, according to our individual vocation and capacity, without vanity or unhealthy severity. We should never judge another person’s capacity or hidden sacrifices. 

Only each soul knows the cost of striving each day to present the best of oneself before God. The Lord, who sees in secret, looks not merely at the outward act, but at the sincerity of the heart - and upon honest effort offered with love, God smiles and blesses.

Voices of the Abbas

In desert vast where silence lay,
The holy fathers knelt to pray,
With hearts attuned to heaven’s call,
They sought the Word that speaks to all.

No gold had they, no earthly claim,
Yet burned within a living flame;
A hunger deep for truth Divine,
A thirst no world could e’er define.

They waited on the sacred Word,
In stillness where God’s Voice was heard;
Through wind and sun, through night so long,
Their lives became a silent song.

In caves and sands, in lonely place,
They learned the depth of boundless grace.
Through fasting, tears, and watchful eyes,
They fixed their hope beyond the skies.

They taught that holiness is found,
Not in the noise, but sacred ground;
Within the soul that bends in prayer,
Where God is near, forever there.

O desert saints, so strong, so wise,
You turned from earth to gain the prize;
Your witness still lights up our way,
And calls our hearts to watch and pray.

If you wish to know more about the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, please click in the link below;

https://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2024/

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Church Fathers in desert"

THE CROSS UNFOLDS A PATH WITHIN

 

The Cross unfolds a path within

Verse 1
Upon the hill where Christ was slain,
He bore the weight of sin;
A spark was lit within my soul,
New life began within.

Verse 2
No longer bound by sin’s harsh chain,
Its grip is torn away;
A deeper strength now stirs in me,
A light for night and day.

Verse 3
The Cross unfolds a path within,
Where hidden grace is found;
Amid the rush of daily life,
God’s silence speaks profound.

Verse 4
An anchorite within my heart,
A sacred, quiet place;
Where Christ abides in stillness deep,
And fills my soul with grace.

Verse 5
O mystery of Love Divine,
That draws my soul to Thee;
Through Cross and death I rise anew,
In truth and liberty.

Verse 6
So let the world in turmoil turn,
Its fleeting shadows fall;
For Christ now lives and reigns within,
My Life, my Lord, my All.

The above hymn is structured in Common Meter (8.6.8.6) so it can be sung to well-known tunes such as Amazing Grace.  The tune "Amazing Grace" is in the public domain. This means that it can be used freely without permission.

The hymn was inspired by Matthew Chapter 27

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "The Cross of Christ"