Un-expectedly in Melbourne, caring for a sibling who was rushed to hospital, Sunday morning saw me at St Paul’s Cathedral, challenged to take lent – the season of reflection and repentance leading up to Easter – very seriously.
At the very beginning of the 10 am service the fullish cathedral congregation – and it is a massive building – was drawn into repentance through the work of two Australian artists whose work for the kingdom should be more widely recognised. James McAuley one of our great poets and a great church musician Richard Connolly.
Were I a Catholic I would not have been so surprised as McAuley and Connoly’s work lives on over the Tiber. not so much on the Protestant side.
Here’s a taste of McAuley’s hymn/poem – it is both – that I hope will lead others to reflect. I would give you the lot but it is still in copyright.
Sin has sundered us from God,
Selfish we have grown and cold,
Foolish were the ways we trod,
Evil habits keep their hold.
with the refrain: May this Lenten discipline,
Which we undertake with love,
Turn our minds to things above.
I think this hymn/poem is a strong argument for us to take time to see ourselves as we are in preparation for Easter (whether you want to call it lent or not). That first verse sums up a great confession. Surely it applies to all of us.
And, with my mission in Melbourne in mind, layter in the servce these words from a hymn by William Bright And Now, o Father, Mindful of the Love, stuck home. They speak a great confidence that our prayers, particularly for loved ones will be answered. And there is a widening network of prayer for my sibling, especially by Melbourne Bapitists which is quite overwhelming.
And then for those, our dearest and our best,
By this prevailing presence we appeal;
O fold them closer to thy mercy’s breast,
O do thine utmost for their souls’ true weal;
From tainting mischief keep them white and clear
And crown thy gifts with grace to persevere.
And so we come: O draw us to thy feet
Most patient Saviour, who canst love us still;
And by this food, so aweful and so sweet,
Deliver us from every touch of ill:
In thine own service make us glad and free,
And grant us nevermore to part from thee.
In a later post i will reflect on the sermon by Canon Phillipa Lohmeyer- Cillins
Image: St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne. Image Credit: Anh Dinh / Flickr