Check back - More will be added as we approach Easter
Poetry
Bound
Such was the brief, such was the lonely life,
Such was the bondage of the earth, such was the misery,
Such was the reaching out, such was the separation,
That my Lord tore the curtain from the skies, and in compassion
He took upon himself all angry things, the scourge, the thorn, the
nail, the utter separation;
And spoke such words as made me tremble, and laid his yoke upon me
And bound me with these chains, that I have worn with no especial
grace.
Why then I did accept this miracle, and being what I am some lesser
miracles,
And then I did accept this Faith, and being what I am some certain
Articles,
And then I did accept this Law, and being what I am some
regulations,
Why then I worshipped him, and being what I am knelt in some pew
And heard some organ play and some bells peal, and heard some
people sing,
And heard about some money that was wanted, and heard some sin
was preached against,
And heard some message given by some man, sometimes with great
distinction, sometimes with none.
I made this humble access, I too stretched out my hands,
Sometimes I saw him not, and sometimes clearly, though with my
inward eyes.
I stayed there on my knees, I saw his feet approaching,
I saw the mark of the nails, I did not dare to look fully at them,
I longed to behold him, I did not dare to behold him,
I said in my heart to him, I who in sins and doubts and in my
grievous separation reach out my hands,
Reach out your hands and touch me, O most Holy One.
Alan Paton
Submitted by Catherine Clemens
Ashes to EasterFather Jim Irvine, Canon of Christ Church Cathedral in the Diocese of Fredericton, New Brunswick, offers a comprehensive listing of Lent, Holy Week and Easter resources.
BBC Audio Series on Lent - Six talks by eminent writers and thinkers in the weeks leading up to Easter, exploring how faith and religion interact with different aspects of our society.
