Morning near Tarn Hows, Lake District. Photo by Gill Henwood
An early morning reflection from the Lake District by my friend, Gill Henwood.
Out early morning, the dogs have swum in Tarn Hows and we’re returning through the woods above Coniston. The birds are singing all around us, in the unfurling tender canopy of leaves and tree blossom. No wind: the day is rapidly heating in the nearly-summer sun.
A cuckoo sounds across the fells. We heard two yesterday in Little Langdale … heralds of summer (and danger, if you are a future foster parent bird sitting on eggs). The shade of the delicate canopy brought to mind:
“Keep me as the apple of your eye Hide me under the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 17.8
The peace and calm of protecting shade, the ‘wings’ of myriad mature trees above.
But other wings break into the birdsong (though they ignore them). Fighter jets are training, flying circuits below the fell tops, preparing for defence, reminding us that peace and calm have a terrible cost. Thinking of Ukraine, the Middle East, people in conflict wherever. May they one day hear the birds sing, the cuckoo call, and find shelter under shading trees.
Till then, may our prayer be with the psalmist,(above) prayed at Night Prayer, Compline, the traditional offices, prayed at Night Prayer, Compline, the traditional offices.
St Mark’s day is normally celebrated on April 25th, except in years when Easter Week takes precedent. In 2025, therefore, it is kept on April 29th.
One of the key words in the Gospel occurs 42 times in St Mark’s Gospel – the word is euthus” (εὐθύς), which is translated as ‘immediately’, or ‘straightway’. The use of this word gives the Gospel account a sense of urgency. There is an emphasis on the active and dynamic ministry of Jesus. My poem ‘euthus’ below is inspired by the word and its meaning.
Euthus – immediately!
Straightway, he takes up the pen, dips it in the ink: words flow onto parchment at once.
Getting it down immediately as readers wait: impatient to hear this story of faith.
We long for phrases that awaken and challenge the heart; ideas that lift souls in search of meaning; feet, itching for travel, on our pilgrimage to God, are now hope-filled.
Eagerly, we follow way-markers, constructed not with stones but with the pen.
Our souls need feeding and our minds are thirsty for truth. The parchment lays itself open to the pen, which breathlessly recounts the story: the wonderful Good News that enlivens us.
Straightway, words take shape: ‘The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God……..’
Pope Francis prays for Peace, especially for the people of Ukraine.
Forgive us for war, O Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners! Lord Jesus, born in the shadows of bombs falling on Kyiv, have mercy on us! Lord Jesus, who died in a mother’s arms in a bunker in Kharkiv,have mercy on us! Lord Jesus, a 20-year-old sent to the frontlines, have mercy on us! Lord Jesus, who still behold armed hands in the shadow of your Cross, have mercy on us!
Forgive us, O Lord.
Forgive us, if we are not satisfied with the nails with which we crucified Your hands, as we continue to slake our thirst with the blood of those mauled by weapons. Forgive us, if these hands which You created to tend have been transformed into instruments of death.
Forgive us, O Lord, if we continue to kill our brother; Forgive us, if we continue like Cain to pick up the stones of our fields to kill Abel. Forgive us, if we continue to justify our cruelty with our labours, if we legitimize the brutality of our actions with our pain.
Forgive us for war, O Lord. Forgive us for war, O Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we implore You! Hold fast the hand of Cain! Illumine our consciences; May our will not be done; Abandon us not to our own actions!
Stop us, O Lord, stop us! And when you have held back the hand of Cain, care also for him. He is our brother.
O Lord, put a halt to the violence! Stop us, O Lord! Amen.
President Zelensky & President Trump meeting at Pope Francis’s Funeral.
May the Prayer of Pope Francis be heard and hearts be opened!
detail from : Adoration of the mystic lamb, from the altar-piece of Ghent Cathedral Belgium. [photographed by Mr G.
The Ghent Altarpiece
In the early 15 century two Flemish brothers, Hubert and Jan van Eyck produced one of the great masterpieces of western art: the Ghent altarpiece known as The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. It is a multi-panel painting that can be displayed both open and closed, revealing different scenes and levels of detail. When closed, the altarpiece primarily displays the Annunciation, while opening it reveals the intricate and vibrant “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” scene.
Although of outstanding artistic and religious significance it is surrounded by controversy and speculation, not only from art historians but theologians as well. It is currently undergoing a time of restoration and research which is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
In total the altar piece is constructed from 18 separate panels. Its main panel depicts the Lamb of God on an altar set in an expansive landscape surrounded by figures in various groups. These include Old Testament judges, Knights of Christ, holy pilgrims and holy hermits; saints of both the Old and New Testaments. Above this lower central panel there is a depiction of God, with Mary to the left and John the Baptist to the right. In turn, they are flanked by the figures of Adam and Eve. The Altarpiece was completed in 1432 and it is a truly great work of art; one of the most influential paintings ever painted. The panels depict biblical scenes as well as a portrait of Joos Vijd who commissioned it and his wife Elisabeth Borluut.
At the heart of the painting is the Mystic Lamb, seen on the central altar. It symbolizes Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for humanity. From a wound on its chest, blood pours into a chalice which represents Christ’s sacrifice and its commemoration in the Eucharist. Around the altar, in various groups are gathered those who gaze on the Lamb in adoration. The Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist are contrasted with the figures of Adam and Eve with a depiction of God in the panel above that of the Lamb.
The painting has had quite a difficult life and has been described as the most stolen piece of art in history. It has also been hidden when iconoclasts and others would have preferred to destroy it. On the morning of 11 April 1934, Ghent woke up to news of a disaster. Two panels of the Altarpiece, ‘The Just Judges’ and ‘John the Baptist’ had been stolen from St Bavo’s Cathedral! This daring theft has grown to become one of the most fascinating art robberies of the 20th century. It remains unsolved. The panel of John the Baptist was returned later anonymously but that of the ‘Just Judges’ remains at large! There is a hope that it will be found in due course, meanwhile a copy takes its place. As if that wasn’t enough the painting was stolen by the Nazi’s in 1940. Hitler wanted to establish a museum of culture in his home town of Linz. Whilst plans for the building were completed, the painting, along with many others, was kept safely in a salt mine in Austria, which also guaranteed its preservation. When the Allied troops were getting near, there was a plan to dynamite the salt mine but such a disaster for the art heritage of the world was averted by the residents who lived near the mine.
Today, the Altarpiece has its own chapel in the Cathedral where it can be viewed freely. It is an amazing work of art but it is much more. For the believer, there is a strong sense of being led into adoration not just of the painting itself but of the resurrection it signifies.~The Lamb is one of the powerful symbols of Easter not only because lambs are themselves signs of new life at this time of year, but also because in Christian art, the Lamb depicts Christ Jesus, risen from the dead and glorified. As I sat before the painting, in contemplation, the only response I could make was to be still and pray, giving thanks for all that God in the Risen Jesus has given to me – and the unstoppable and unconditional love through which He saves and redeems me and you.
In Christian symbolism, the lamb represents Jesus, “the lamb of God” (agnus Dei). (Jn 1:29, Rev 5:12) Standing with a banner, the lamb represents the risen Christ triumphant over death. Standing with a cross and a gash in its side, it symbolizes the passion of Christ. Seated on a throne or a book, the lamb represents the judgment of Christ. Because the lamb is humble, gentle, and innocent, lambs are often engraved on the tombstones of children.
Paschal triumph, Easter joy, Only sin can this destroy; From sin’s death do thou set free, Souls re-born, dear Lord, in thee. Hymns of glory, songs of praise, Father, unto thee we raise. Risen Lord, all praise to thee, Ever with the Spirit be.
{final verse of the hymn : At the Lamb’s High Feast we sing}
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