The day before yesterday, as I was walking the round of the cloister of the monastery, the brethren were sitting around forming as it were a most loving crown. In the midst, as it were, of the delights of paradise with the leaves, flowers, and fruits of each single tree, I marveled. In that multitude… Continue reading Get Thee to the Garth
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 I am not a big fan of… Continue reading You Are Not The One – Reorientate
Alas poor Alberic, I knew him well! I was pondering on my death recently and what would be written on my tombstone. And then I thought that if I stayed in the monastery I wouldn’t have a tombstone but a simple cross, yes the cross of Jesus Christ – that which cuts through all pretense.… Continue reading Away With The Fairies
You’re everywhere and nowhere babyThat’s where you’re atGoing down a bumpy hillsideIn your hippy hatFlying across the countryAnd getting fatSaying everything is groovyWhen your tires are flat (Laurence Weiss / Scott David English) Every so often I will check in with my second favourite football team, QPR, and watch some match highlights. The fans love… Continue reading Can you fake it and make it?
It’s the same old S.O.S.But with brand newBroken fortunes,And once again I turnTo youOnce again, I doI turn to you It’s the same old S.O.SBut with brand newBroken fortunesI’m the sameUnderneathBut this, youYou surely knew I remember an endless debate I used to have with a work colleague of mine over which was the best… Continue reading Life Is A Pigsty
One of my earliest experiences of the power of silence would have been the ‘minutes silence’ in memory of a football personality before a match. There was something eerily other-worldly about a place usually brimming with the noise and bustle of thousands of people suddenly falling completely silent. Unfortunately this practice has become another victim… Continue reading Empty
You have laid on me, O Christ, a spell of longing You have charmed me with an eros all divine Consume, therefore, my sins with immaterial fire Be pleased to fill me with your sweet delights then I shall magnify your advent in the past and the one we still await with joy O Gracious… Continue reading The Power of ‘Not Right Now’ – I’m Having a Crap Time!
For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) And… Continue reading Choose Your Weapon
Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb in 1879, or was it Joseph Swan? It is simple yet ingenious. Whilst at college, doing my teacher training, our science lecturer said he explained the process to 6th class students by asking them what would happen if he placed a fifty pound note outside the classroom door and said… Continue reading It’s Pretty Hot in the Entrance Way
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,And when we find ourselves in the place just right,‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.When true simplicity is gained,To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed,To turn, turn will be… Continue reading Turning to the Source
Brother Alberic 