THE JEWELLER OF SOULS - SONG

 

The Jeweller of Souls

(to the tune of public domain hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson)

(Sing with prayerful, soulful tone)

Verse 1;

When God looked down on His nation,
Dwelling in the desert sand.
He chose craftsmen for His station,
Gifted by His Holy Hand.
Bezalel wrought gold with splendour,
Aholiab did labour too;
For the Lord, they shaped great beauty,
Faithful in the work they knew.

Verse 2;

Filigree and shining treasure,
Precious stones in radiant flame.
Hammered out with skill and measure,
Fashioned for God’s holy Name.
Topaz glowed with wisdom’s brightness,
Amethyst with royal grace.
Pearls proclaimed the soul’s steadfastness,
Rubies burned through sacrifice.

Verse 3;

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

Sapphires shone with loyal spirit,
Constant through the darkest days.
Every jewel seemed to mirror,
Hearts refined through holy ways.
For the Lord still calls His people,
To a temple, not of stone;
But within the soul’s deep chamber,
God would fashion as His own.

Verse 4;

We ourselves must be the dwelling,
Where the lamps of grace are bright;
Where the incense of our praying,
Rises upward day and night.
Let our virtues shine like jewels,
Set within the inward shrine;
Let our thoughts and deeds be holy,
Consecrated to Divine.

Verse 5;

When the griefs of life surround us,
Sorrows, losses, pain, and tears;
These are tools the Master uses,
Through the polishing of years.
All our pride and roughness yielding,
Slowly shaped by Heaven’s art,
Till at last the Lord beholds there,
A pure jewel in the heart.

Verse 6;

As the ancient craftsmen laboured,
For the Holy One above;
Let us labour in His Service,
Fashioned daily by His Love.
Then, when we shall stand before Him,
At the ending of our days;
He shall find His Image shining,
Through our lives of prayer and praise.

Verse 7;

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

Not in gold that may fade slowly,
Not in earthly gems that dim;
But in souls made bright and holy,
With beauty meant for Him.
May we find the Divine Jeweller,
Who works through all our days;
To make us pure and holy,
Fit to offer heaven'ly praise.

Verse 8;

(First four lines of the tune)

(Rallentando)

Not in gold that may fade slowly,
Not in earthly gems that dim;
But in souls made bright and holy,
With beauty meant for Him.

Inspired by Exodus chapter 24, 25, 35 and 39

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "God, the Jeweller of our souls" 

THE JEWELLER OF SOULS

 

The Jeweller of souls

When God looked down on Israel’s camp,
Amid the desert’s sunlit lamp;
He chose two men with gifted hand,
To shape His House at His command.

Bezalel with wisdom richly blessed,
Aholiab whose talent was no less;
They wrought with silver, gold, and flame,
For glory of the Holy Name.

With filigree so fine and fair,
And precious stones beyond compare;
They carved and hammered through the night,
Till sacred things shone forth in light.

Topaz gleamed with wisdom bright,
Amethyst with royal light;
Pearl spoke soft of constant grace,
Ruby burned through sacrifice.

Sapphire told of steadfast ways,
Of loyalty through nights and days;
Each jewel set with patient art,
As though God shaped the human heart.

For even now the Lord still calls
Within our souls’ deep hidden halls;
Not now to build with earthly stone,
But shape the temple of our own.

Our bodies are His courts below,
Where sacred lamps are meant to glow;
Our souls the chambers set apart,
The Holy Place within the heart.

Let incense rise in faithful prayer,
Like fragrant sweetness in the air;
Let virtue gleam like jewels rare,
Adorning spirits bowed in care.

When the trials of life descend,
Sent not to crush us, but to mend,
Grinding sorrows, losses, tears,
Weight and polishing of years -

These rub against our roughened side,
Against our anger, fear, and pride;
Till slowly, through the Master’s art,
A gem is fashioned in our heart.

As craftsmen laboured for the Lord
According to His holy Word;
So let us strive with all our days,
To fashion lives of prayer and praise.

That when at last before Him stand,
The souls long shaped by His own Hand;
God may behold with loving Eye,
A beauty none on earth could buy.

Not clothed in gold that fades away,
Nor jewels that perish in decay;
But inward splendour, pure and bright,
Made radiant in His heavenly sight.

THE ARTISANS CALLED BY GOD

"And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship; to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. 

"And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver - those who do every work and those who design artistic works." (Exodus 35:30-35)

"And they set onyx stones, enclosed in gold filigree settings; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel. He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses." (Exodus 39:6-7)

"And they mounted four rows of stones upon it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings." (Exodus 39:10-13)

"And they saw the God of Israel; and under His Feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself." (Exodus 24:10)

"Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them." (Exodus 25:8)

The poem was inspired by the Book of Exodus, chapters 24, 25, 35 and 39

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "God, the Jeweller of our souls" 

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

WHEN THE WORD ASKS US

 

"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

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

When the Word asks us

When all is stilled at journey’s end,
And earth no longer claims as friend;
When time gives way to endless day,
As all our deeds stand clear as clay.

Before the Throne where silence burns,
As every heart at truth-table turns;
We hear a Voice both just and kind,
That searches every soul and mind.

“What did you do with Word I gave,
The light I sent, the power to save?
Did you receive, did you abide,
Or let it lie there cast aside?”

For not in dust upon a shelf,
Nor words admired but kept for self;
Does living truth traverse earth's breadth,
But in true witness of devotion-depth.

So let us read and let us pray,
While we walk the narrow Way;
Not hearers only, but made whole,
God's Word engraved upon our soul.

Let us the Word of Life embrace,
To mirror Christ in every place;
That others, thirsting, might be fed
With Living Waters Christ has shed.

Until the ends of all the earth
Have known the Saviour’s costly worth,
And everyone in every land
Has honoured God's most loving Hand.

Lest we arrive at that great Throne,
To shamed stand silent, much to atone;
May joy be found in what we’ve done:
“My child, you lived the Word - well done.”

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Judgement"

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"

UPON THE PARCHMENT OF THE SOUL - SAINT ATHENAGORAS

 

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. 

  

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.

Early Church Father - St Athenagoras; What Christians cannot endure . . .

https://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2026/05/early-church-father-saint-athenagoras.html

CHURCH FATHERS: A Plea for the Christians

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

Poem inspired by the historical life and works of St Athenagoras

With thanks to newadvent.org

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

LOVE UNTOLD

"True love involves vulnerability."

                   Reverend Vanessa Wyse-Jackson

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

Love untold

When two souls meet and truly see,
A quiet truth in dignity;
No trumpet sounds, no grand display -
Yet God is near in that still way.

A glance that lingers, soft and deep,
A vow unspoken both hearts keep;
In eyes that shine with gentle light,
Love’s sacred flame is born in sight.

And God, who formed each tender heart,
Beholds their union from the start;
He blesses love both pure and true,
When one lives more for thou than “you.”

Yet love is not a path of ease,
Nor always filled with joys that please;
For woven through its golden thread
Are trials where tears are quietly shed.

To love is risk, to trust, to give,
To place one’s heart in how two live;
Each soul laid bare, each weakness known,
No longer walking life alone.

At times the road grows steep and long,
And burdens test the faithful strong;
Yet hand in hand, through dark or day,
God grants the grace to find the way.

In every trial, a chance to grow,
In every pain, His mercies flow;
To learn of Him, of self, of grace,
Reflected in the other’s face.

For love that seeks the other’s good,
And serves as Christ has always stood;
Will rise above the selfish thought,
And bloom more bright by true support.

So step by step, though skies may dim,
Their journey draws them nearer Him;
While hearts once joined in earthly love,
Are led at last to Heaven above.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Blessing on love" 

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

CHRIST-BRIDGE BETWEEN GOD AND WORLD

 

"Advent speaks of God's Plan of restoration, to bring His people back to Him."

                                                                  Reverend Vanessa Wyse-Jackson

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

Christ-Bridge between God and world

Advent is the dawn of God’s restoring plan,
The healing of creation, the heart of God and man;
For heaven once was shuttered, its bright gates sealed in night,
But Love Himself has opened them in Mercy, Truth, and Light.

The bond once torn asunder, when humankind fell away,
Is gently being mended in the promise of this day;
For God does not abandon the work His Hands have made -
He enters into darkness, that none of us be strayed.

A Child is born in stillness, in poverty and mild,
The Infinite made humble, the everlasting Child;
In Mary’s arms He rests there, in Joseph’s faithful care,
The Maker of all heavens now breathing earthly air.

In that quiet dwelling, a mystery takes its form -
The bridge between all brokenness, our shelter in the storm;
For Christ is God among us, the path we must obey,
The living way to Heaven which clearly shows the way.

Yet still the ancient battle resounds through time and space,
As pride and shadow struggle against this gift of grace;
For satan and his legions would keep us far apart,
Yet Christ has come to conquer them with meek and pierced Heart.

The war is not yet ended, but victory is assured,
For every word God speaks is forevermore secured;
History bends forward to the day all things are healed,
When God will reign in fullness and everyone has kneeled. 

So Advent is our waiting, but also our surcease -
The promise of restoration, the dawning of His peace;
For we are God’s own people, though still we have travail,
He has come to find us, His grace will give avail.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Advent journey under starlight" 

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

CHRIST-MEANING OF OUR LIVES

 

"Jesus comes to bring meaning to our lives."

                                       Reverend Vanessa Wyse-Jackson

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

Christ-Meaning of our lives

Jesus comes to walk our earth, to fill our days with light,
To give a weary world again its purpose, pure and right;
He enters in our silence, our sorrow and our strain,
And turns the weight of aching hearts to hope and love again.

Christ gives a name to teardrops that fall unseen and slow,
He speaks into our darkness a peace the world can know;
Where fear once held its shadow and doubt would claim its place,
He brings gentle assurance of His redeeming grace.

Christ breathes upon the broken, and life begins anew,
He calls the dead to rising with power Divine and true;
The blind behold His Glory, the sick are made to stand,
For healing flows like Mercy straight from His wounded Hand.

No day is lived in meaninglessness, no step without His plan,
For every soul is cherished within the heart of Man;
We rise not toward a voidness, but toward a promised home,
With Christ Himself beside us, we never walk alone.

The sacraments sustain us, like rivers full and deep,
Where grace becomes the water that wakes the soul from sleep;
In each sacred moment, we learn anew and see,
That Christ has loved us wholly, and loves us endlessly.

So we are not forgotten, nor drifting without end -
But pilgrims on a journey where heaven’s roads descend;
Each morning holds a calling, each evening finds its rest,
For every life is woven into God’s eternal quest.

All praise to Christ our Saviour, the living Lord above,
All praise to Him Who meets us with everlasting Love;
All praise to Christ our King of Light, whose Mercy makes us free,
For He has filled our lives with hope and joy, that we may holy be.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Advent journey under starlight" 

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

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 hymn was inspired by Matthew Chapter 27

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

LEAVEN AND MUSTARDSEED ANCHORITES

 

As baptised members of the wider Church, we form part the mustard seed community which grows in this world. As we are changed by Christ and the ongoing action pursuant to the baptism we underwent, so we affect and change others and the society around us. 

We are as anchorites in a quiet cell within our soul, going out into the marketplace and sharing the beauties of the fruits of baptism with others. We do this so that all may shelter within the branches of the Church.  The leaven of the Spirit working within our hearts, quietly changes us for the better. 

We are called by God to allow the leaven of grace to permeate the dough of our lives, to grow quietly within our hearts, and to share with the world the nourishing Bread of Christ. Our mission is to tend and water the mustard seed tree through obedience to God’s Call, love for His people, prayer, deeds performed according to His holy Will, and willing self-sacrifice. In faithfully kneading the leaven entrusted to us and caring for the tree planted within our souls, we help the great Tree of the Church to flourish - becoming a holy, sincere, and steadfast shelter for all who seek rest beneath its branches.

All changes around us as our behaviour betters, our attitudes become more godly and our temper comes more under control. Baptism changes us profoundly: and with this, changes our present and future.

Leaven and mustardseed anchorites

We are the seed that Christ has sown,
In hidden soil, yet not alone;
Though small we seem in earth’s wide field,
In grace our silent life is sealed.

From the waters of new birth,
We rise to walk upon this earth;
A mustard seed, so small, so slight,
Yet called to grow in God’s own Light.

Like anchorites in quiet cell,
Within the soul where Christ does dwell,
We learn His Voice and walk His Way,
Our faith and love grow day by day.

Yet from that stillness we are sent,
To marketplace where lives are spent;
To share fruits of baptismal grace,
To speak of Christ with witness face.

The Spirit, like the leaven, moves
Through hidden parts of hearts He proves;
He changes anger, pride, and fear,
Till gentleness and peace appear.

As we grow in Christ each day,
We help the world to find its way;
Till all may rest where branches spread,
And nest in Church’s living stead.

Poem inspired by Fr G.M.A. Jansen. (Norbert Jansen OP). p 13, Pro Veritate Vol V No. 12. Baptism and Co-existence. 15 April 1967

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 in a monastic garden"

LEAVEN AND MUSTARDSEED

 

Leaven and mustardseed

From but a mustard seed so small,
A tender shoot through earth did crawl;
By Hand of God, through sun and rain,
It rose through joy; it rose through pain.

At first so slight, scarce seen by eye,
Yet reaching upward to the sky;
Its branches widened far and free,
Till shrub became a mighty tree.

There birds of every feathered wing
Found place to rest and sweetly sing;
Their little nests were safely laid,
Within the shelter of its shade.

The fragile eggs, the downy young,
Were guarded where the branches hung;
And when the storm winds fiercely cried,
Within that tree they safe abide.

Beneath its boughs the weary came,
The poor, the pilgrim, worn and lame;
The labourer laid his burden down,
And rested there from field and town.

The children gathered joyful near,
With smiling hearts untouched by fear;
For God had made that shelter broad,
A living sign of grace from God.

So too the Church of Christ shall be,
A living, sheltering, holy tree;
For we, His Body, called by grace,
Must bear His Love in every place.

As leaven hidden in the bread
Moves softly through the dough widespread;
So must Christ’s Mercy gently move
Through all the world with truth and love.

What once began so passing small
Shall, by God’s blessing, nourish all;
As Scripture tells in words sublime,
Still echoing through age and time.

The mustard seed by Heaven sown
Became more vast than men had known;
And birds of air came from afar
To nest beneath its branches fair.

Thus are we sent through Baptism’s grace
To bring God’s Light to every place;
To dwell with sister, brother, friend,
And serve in love until life’s end.

Not set apart in prideful way,
But walking humbly day by day;
Co-existing in peace and care,
Simon-bearing each other’s cross with prayer.

Lord, let our hearts be rich in Thee,
Like branches of that blessed tree;
Till all our thoughts and works proclaim:
“Deus Meu” - God’s holy Name.

Then may the weary find their rest,
And frightened souls within us nest;
Till all creation comes to see
The Kingdom growing silently.

Poem inspired by Fr G.M.A. Jansen. (Norbert Jansen OP). p 13, Pro Veritate Vol V No. 12. Baptism and Co-existence. 15 April 1967

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 over the leafy tree"

O MARY, QUEEN OF MAY

O MARY, QUEEN OF MAY

Queen of May, O gentle Mother fair,
You watch our weary world with tender care;
From heaven’s light your loving gaze descends,
Upon your children, whom your heart befriends.

With blossoms bright we crown your holy brow,
In love and prayer we make our humble vow.
Each petal laid, a quiet act of grace,
A sign of faith no darkness can erase.

You held dear Jesus, so fragile, pure, and mild,
And taught the world through care of holy Divine Child.
In simple deeds, in kindness softly shown,
We echo love that in your life was sown.

In troubled times, as ever they have been,
When hearts grow faint and hope becomes unseen;
We turn to you, O Mother, calm and bright,
To guide our steps again toward heaven’s true light.

Lead us, dear Mother Mary, upon the narrow way,
Through shadowed paths wending onward into eternal day.
We ask you keep us close, whatever may befall;
Sweet Queen of May, our Mother, our dear beloved all.

With thanks to Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_lflvUReCo

GOD KNOWS

 

GOD KNOWS

God knows when you are tired and

discouraged from doomed

circumstances and situations . . .

God knows how hard you have tried

When you've cried for so long and your

heart is in such anguish . . .

God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and

time has just passed you by . . .

God is waiting with you when you're

lonely and your friends are too busy to

call or can't understand . . .

God is by your side when you think

you've tried everything and don't know

where else to turn . . .

God has a solution,

When nothing makes sense and you are

hurt, confused or frustrated . . .

God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and

you find traces of hope in life . . .

God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have

much to be thankful for . . .

God has blessed you.

When something amazing happens and

you find that special someone . . .

God has smiled upon you.

When you have a dream to follow and

also a reality to live . . .

God has opened your eyes and called

your name.

Remember that wherever you are or

whatever you are facing now . . .

GOD KNOWS!!

(Author unknown)

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Blessing in a Medieval Market"