From the Rector
Dear friends,
Over the years I've collected in folders numerous poems, prayers, and other reflections and resources for most feasts and other celebrations of the Church Year that resonate and become inspiration for sermons and private devotion.
I want to share three poems as we prepare this weekend for the Last Sunday after Pentecost, when the Church acclaims the eternal kingship of Christ over all the earth. I hope they might become a source of inspiration for you too as we look ahead to Advent next Sunday, Nov. 30, and the beginning of the Christian Year.
May God bless and keep you and yours this week.
Yours faithfully~
Fr. Peter
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"A Poem for Christ the King"
By Pamela Cranston
See how this infant boy
lifted himself down
into his humble crèche
and laid his tender glove of skin
against splintered wood—
found refuge in a rack
of straw—home
that chilly dawn,
in sweetest silage,
those shriven stalks.
This outcast king lifted
himself high upon his savage cross,
extended the regal banner
of his bones, draping himself
upon his throne—his battered feet,
his wounded hands not fastened
there by nails but sewn
by the strictest thorn of love.
(From Searching for Nova Albion, Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2019)
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"The Feast of Christ the King; a Sonnet"
By Malcolm Guite
Our King is calling from the hungry furrows
Whilst we are cruising through the aisles of plenty,
Our hoardings screen us from the man of sorrows,
Our soundtracks drown his murmur: ‘I am thirsty’.
He stands in line to sign in as a stranger
And seek a welcome from the world he made,
We see him only as a threat, a danger,
He asks for clothes, we strip-search him instead.
And if he should fall sick then we take care
That he does not infect our private health,
We lock him in the prisons of our fear
Lest he unlock the prison of our wealth.
But still on Sunday we shall stand and sing
The praises of our hidden Lord and King
(From Sounding the Seasons: 70 Sonnets for the Christian Year, Canterbury Press, 2012)
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"The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King"
By Ambrose of Milan (340-397 CE)
The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
The Apostles' glorious deeds, we sing;
And while due hymns of praise we pay,
Our thankful hearts cast grief away.
The Church in these her princes boasts,
These victor chiefs of warriors hosts;
The soldiers of the heavenly hall,
The lights that rose on earth for all.
'Twas thus the yearning faith of saints,
The unconquered hope that never faints,
The love of Christ that knows not shame,
The prince of this world overcame.
In these the Father's glory shone;
In these the will of God the Son;
In these exults the Holy Ghost;
Through these rejoice the heavenly host.
Redeemer, hear us of Thy love,
That, with this glorious band above,
Hereafter, of Thine endless grace,
Thy servants also may have place.
