A talk at Mass, following Corpus Christi
Author Archives: David Coleman
Hymn Poem for St Columba’s Day [9th June]
David J. M Coleman . Tune – of course – St Columba, trad.
I’ve come to see the many interactions of significant saints with fellow creatures as far more than a trivial or decorative detail in their ‘lives’ as transmitted to us, but rather a vital and authentic affirmation of God at work in these fellow humans as God’s creatures amongst creatures. It might be worth looking into the stories of Mungo/Kentigern, Cuthbert, Brigid amongst others.
This hymn-poem is written to celebrate the Feast of St Columba [June 9th ] : verse 1 references his blessing for the terrifying sea-monster/whale, his personal and honoured welcome for the exhausted migrating crane, and his appreciation of the mourning sadness of the monastery’s cart-horse who was aware that Columba was reaching the end of his life.
Verse 2 recalls his Jacob-like involvement with angels as the connective tissue of sky ands soil/Heaven and Earth: together one unified Creation, and reminds us that the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father is a prayer for the whole of our fragile, threatened world.
And although Columba did seek times of quiet and retreat, he was ready speak and sing out powerfully, ‘armed’ with the Psalms and spiritual song which were his non-violent arsenal for justice and transformation. The discernment of when to intervene boldly in the turmoil of /nature’ , and when to leave well alone is part of our discipleship. All of which can inspire us in our partnership and interaction with our fellow-stakeholders in God’s Rainbow Covenant with ‘All Flesh’, as followers of Christ, the Word become Flesh.
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1) To bless God’s creatures whom we fear;
to welcome those in need;
to honour care our kind receive
is following Christ indeed.
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2) As Heaven and Earth are woven tight
by angels’ warp and weft;
we pray each day that sky and soil:
be blessed and not bereft
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3) Christ spoke as sternly to the waves
as to our chosen wrong;
to those who speak out: loud and just
Christ’s blessing shall belong
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4) So saints who cherished and who learned
from fellow creatures’ care
shall guide commitment, prayer and deed
and bless the home we share.
Epistle to the trade fair
[As delivered at the SEC – the venue for COP26 – in Glasgow on 15th May 2024]
Draft Creation-Inclusive Liturgy for Holy Communion in an ecumenical setting.
A draft building on experience in several settings. Consciously not a ‘neutral’ approach. Just use or adapt what seems useful.
God with us urgently now. Statement of Faith
Presented for devotional use as a commentary on historic creeds and statements of faith: suggested for use in Creation themed worship, with a consciousness of the Nature & Climate crises. Writer: DJM Coleman. On this page: Downloadable PDF and full text as simple text.
GOD WITH US URGENTLY, NOW
an inclusive statement of Christian faith
We trust Love who is God
before us, beyond us
and urgently now.
Maker, Remaker of life, and life’s limits.
God: working with Earth,
God: attending to birth;
decisive, co-operative,
with seas and with skies.
God for justice by choice.
to be praised by all breathing.
We trust Jesus our Friend
Incarnate in Earth;
Who lives life with creatures
who knows of their frailness
through flesh, blood, and birth
and dependence on care.
Christ who loves, heals, and warns
and repurposes Scriptures;
Christ who honours
the welcome of God in the stranger;
God’s wisdom in creatures, our kin.
Jesus: Welcomed with branches,
then nailed to the Tree.
Abandoned to Death,
Earth alone could receive him.
The third Day Christ rose
to Life Renewed:
with us as surely as Sky;
We trust the Holy Spirit our God;
Wild Wind of beginnings
beyond our control
yet harnessed for justice;
Reshaping perceptions.
Breath of life;
Spirit of healing, forgiveness:
God with us urgently now.