Pilgrim's Pleasure

In the autumn of 1998 a friend introduced me to a book which has found a very special place on my bookshelf. Simple Abundance by Sarah ban Breathnach represents the very best in book pilgrimage. Each of its daily meditations is drawn from a particular source and as a result of the author's magpie like eye for inspiration, this book has the most amazing and varied bibliography. Perfect for the book pilgrim! And so I have enjoyed many years of one book leading to another which led to another, which led....

More recently the same friend pointed me in the direction of Persephone Books. With their gorgeous dove grey covers and beautifully reproduced end papers these books are absolute bliss. And as one good thing always leads to another it was, I suppose, only a matter of time before the Persephone path led somewhere too. Having finally mastered the art of (very basic) Facebooking, and having signed up to posts from the Persephone Facebook page, I was introduced one day to Slightly Foxed - the real reader's quarterly. A quick visit to their website, a quick click through the secure payment process and a trial copy was on its way.

Pilgrim's pleasure at its very best, for it arrived this morning, together with a catalogue, an index and details of back issues, all printed on paper the colour of clotted cream and tied together with a dark blue ribbon. Now that is real style and a perfect delight to open. Thoughtfully included in the package was a subscription form. And so once again a new landscape to be explored opens up on the pilgrimage. Who knows where this one may lead.

Consider the Lilies

I am doing what aspiring writers are told to do; show up at the page. Even if I have no clue what to write about. Which I don't. I am in the garden for it is warmer out here than it is inside due to the vagaries of the British summer.

A wet patch is drying on the flat stone by the pond where a blackbird has just taken a bath in the shallows. He has flown up into the willow which overhangs our garden and two sparrows have taken his place. The dog is sprawled asleep on the patio in a warm patch of sunlight while the acer leaves whisper in the breeze. It seems that I am the only one who is deeply troubled. Last night's dream in which my life's energy seemed to be flowing away has left me wondering. I am assured by Google that this is an indication of mental and emotional exhaustion!

The blackbird has returned, for a drink this time. He seems to know how to nourish and care for both the inside and outside of himself. How is it that nature seems to know how to nurture itself while we so often allow our life energy to seep away on things which do not count for much? No wonder then that Jesus reminded his followers to consider the lilies. He assured them that God knows that they need these things. I need the pond, the bathing blackbird, the sparrows and the sleepy dog.

What must I do?

I am reading Rilke's "Letters to a Young Poet" again. The first letter poses a profound question.

"This above all - ask yourself in the stillest hour of your night: must I write? Delve into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be affirmative, if you may meet this earnest question with a strong and simple "I must," then build your life according to this necessity; your life even into its most indifferent and slightest hour must be a sign of this urge and a testimony to it".

At the beginning of each day, as I look out over the Culm Valley, the question has to be What must I do today? And then I build my life according to this necessity for I believe that it is God given.

Follow Me

Oh, feed me this day, Holy Spirit, with

the fragrance of the fields and the
freshness of the oceans which you have
made, and help me to hear and to hold
in all dearness those exacting and wonderful
words of our Lord Christ Jesus, saying:

Follow me.

From the poem 'Six Recognitions of the Lord' in 'Thirst' by Mary Oliver

Jesus' first call to follow him was to fishermen. Hearing his call, they left their nets and went with him. 

The work of those who seek to follow him today, and whose gifts lie in the world of the arts, whether story, poetry, music or any form of visual art, is to reveal his presence. The purpose of their gifts and their work is to say to those who are listening "This is the One who is calling you. This is the One who chose you since before the world began and who is now seeking you in love".