Wayside chapels

Does Jesus walk with us when nagging pain

enslaves our minds? And what of times far worse:

depression’s soul-eroding stress and strain;

cell-ravaging, cruel cancer’s sombre curse?

Does beauty tempt us off our path? The sea;

the Monterey Pine, majestic, broad, serene;

the martins chitting, fluttering round the tree?

The tunes, tastes, tangs enchanting us within?

The fire of worship when the world grows cold;

the joy when light breaks through a shuttered mind,

as dogma’s lead transmutes to love’s pure gold:

the grace of sight to one who once was blind:

hardship and joy alike are privilege,

the wayside chapels of our pilgrimage.

God of multiplication

Mark 6:30-44

God of multiplication 

you take our meagre offering 

and through it feed the world. 

A few fisherman, and other friends

willingly caught in your net,

sent out to fish for other folk. 

And when they return, full of tales

of gospel power, of healing lives,

you give them leave to rest awhile. 

But it is not to be, just yet,

as multitudes from every town 

flock, hungry, to the lonely spot. 

Twelve has become five thousand,

eager for words to feed the soul,

forgetful of the body’s needs. 

A few fish, and some meagre bread

willingly given for you to bless

and share among the multitude. 

God of abundant multiplication,

take our meagre offerings,

and through them feed the world.