When in the wastes of wild regret
I wrote this to be part of a Lenten sermon for the congregation of St Anne’s Calmore near Southampton. When in the wastes of wild regret.midi
Category: Lent
O Thou, the breath, the Light of all
*** Written for Passion Sunday, the music of this hymn – VEXILLA NOVA – intentionally echoes the start of the great hymn of this day ‘The royal banners forward go’ to the plainsong ‘Vexilla Regis’. COMMENTARY Passion Sunday: ‘The royal banners forward Read More …
Disruptive Spirit, do not speak
*** This hymn reflects on the call of Abram, and on St Paul’s comment on that call. COMMENTARY Essentially a Lenten hymn, singing it may give the worshiper a sense of struggling for faith. It acknowledges that faith is not an easy Read More …
Lord, as our public fast begins
* Nowadays there is hesitation and confusion over what to do about the Biblical call to fast. This hymn, influenced by George Herbert’s poem ‘Lent’, assumes that we should answer that call. Lord, as our public fast begins.midi COMMENTARY This hymn is Read More …
There is a gift we cannot grasp
*** This meditative hymn recognizes God’s invitation freely to eat of every tree of the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, whose fruit is given by grace alone. There is a gift we cannot grasp.midi We are graciously Read More …
Shout aloud! Do not hold back!
*** This hymn echoes a Scriptural call for real, not token, fasting. COMMENTARY This hymn offers an unfolding of the prophetic call to repentance in Isaiah 58.1-12. The prophecy is concerned with social justice and with building communities of mutual Read More …