this blessing God’s love calls us to that elsewhere world which only lovers eyes alight, eyes aflame can see at all. only those who have self surrendered: once, they were flecks of fire; now, they are the radiant sun. Rumi
Blog
Regression and Progression
Posted on by James Woodward
The most appropriate picture of living is of a spiral of regression and progression. The child remains in each of us, and from time to time throughout our adult life we move to and from that phase. Sometimes we may appear merely to return to a point that we, or others, have previously attained. But […]
Theology and Ministry
Posted on by James Woodward
The Church’s structures and intellectual formulations may become obsolete but ‘the life of actual loving and caring, guided by tested knowledge, cannot get out of date’. Such an observation invites assent. But the illegitimate conclusion may sometimes be drawn that there does not have to be a link between the practice of pastoral ministry and […]
Holding the Presence?
Posted on by James Woodward
The theological undergirding of his grasp of the mystery of God in a systematic exploration of the Christian faith: It is said that souls are not saved nor the Kingdom advanced by academic rigour, intellectual openness or the need to ask the awkward question. True enough. But without the infrastructure of rigorous theological exploration and […]
Do we really know?
Posted on by James Woodward
One day Socrates made a young slave the centrepiece of a dialogue. Contrasting the innocent and ignorant boy with the sophisticated citizens, Socrates argued that ‘a man who does not know, has in himself true opinions on a subject without having knowledge’ (Plato Meno 85c). Theologians are in a similar position, and none more […]
LIVING THE QUESTIONS
Posted on by James Woodward
“…be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, […]
LOVE THE WORLD
Posted on by James Woodward
1. Will the hungry ox stand in the field and not eat of the sweet grass? Will the owl bite off its own wings? Will the lark forget to lift its body in the air or forget to sing? Will the rivers run upstream? Behold, I say – behold the reliability and the finery […]
The seven deadly sins CEOs won’t admit
Posted on by James Woodward
It’s a classic job interview question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” At the top of the business world, people seem to have taken to heart the advice to admit no negative traits, just positives in disguise, says Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times. Every week for the past year and a half, the Financial […]
Priesthood
Posted on by James Woodward
“Feed my Sheep” A Tribute to a Priest I am Proud to Call Friend On the Anniversary of His Ordination In that moment, The Luminous creases, draws back the curtain; Celestial, sacred, mystery stands unapologetically revealed. In that corporeal touch You were transformed, Marked; banished; publicly acknowledged; indelibly sealed. God’s most beloved; God’s highly […]
what would like to be remembered for?
Posted on by James Woodward
The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love Wordsworth
St Peter
Posted on by James Woodward
Peter Peter is remembered by Christians as a saint; the fisherman who became the right-hand man of Jesus himself, the leader of the early church and a father of the faith. Of all the disciples that Jesus chose we know most about Peter. He is one of the most carefully described characters in the New […]
Caught between relevance and identity?
Posted on by James Woodward
But many sensitive pastors today feel at sea. The familiar horizons seem to become more distant as assumptions about the Church and the contexts in which it works are challenged and adjusted. At the same time the sands begin to shift under our feet. Turmoil in theology is not confined to universities and colleges. If […]
darkness
Posted on by James Woodward
the sun remarked, the other day, ‘really, I am just a shadow. yes, really. I wish I could show you the infinite incandescence that made me.’ when you are in the dark, the lonely, doubtful darkness, I wish I could show you the amazing light of yourself. Hafiz
Pastoral Theology
Posted on by James Woodward
The theological undergirding of his grasp of the mystery of God in a systematic exploration of the Christian faith: It is said that souls are not saved nor the Kingdom advanced by academic rigour, intellectual openness or the need to ask the awkward question. True enough. But without the infrastructure of rigorous theological exploration and […]
answer
Posted on by James Woodward
. “Yes, love is the problem. Love, also, is the answer. It’s a complicated story. You’ll like it.” From Actors, eat no onions!
Garter Day 2011
Posted on by James Woodward
The crowds gather and the Royal Standard is raised! The bands play! Pictures taken by Marc Claire Panton
Preparations
Posted on by James Woodward
Friday marked a day of preparations for garter Day here in the Castle. An early start for those involved in the military duties of lining the route of the procession, providing music for the day and leading the processions. Here are a few snaps from my window! The precision and attention to detail are quite […]
green
Posted on by James Woodward
Leafy-with-love banks and the green waters of the canal Pouring redemption for me, that I do the will of God, wallow in the habitual, the banal, Grow with nature again as before I grew. The bright stick trapped, the breeze adding a third Party to the couple kissing on an old seat, And a […]
The tasks of theological reflection
Posted on by James Woodward
The tasks of theological reflection The induction and nurture of members What does it mean to be a Christian? Who am I as a Christian believer? Building and sustaining the community of faith. What does it mean to be the ‘body of Christ’ in this place and time? How are we to live faithfully and […]
dance
Posted on by James Woodward
To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree While night comes on gently, Dark like me- That is my dream! From Langston Hughes, Dream Variations