Thursday, May 30, 2013

An Ancient Motif

Writes Simon Carnell in Hare (2010) . . .

In many bosses on the ceilings of parish churches in Devon and Cornwall, as well as in a stained glass window in Paderborn Cathedral in Germany, there is a motif of three hares running in a ring, linked by their ears. This has been interpreted as an allusion to the indissoluble unity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Though as recent researchers have discovered, it's an ancient motif which also occurs in Buddhist China and in Iran. In contexts, that is, separated by thousands of miles and 500 years.


See also the previous post: Ancient and Enigmatic.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

"I Have Become Your Brother . . . One of Your Kin"

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Jubilation is my name
and rejoicing is my countenance.

I am like a young meadow wreathed in dawn,
like a shepherd’s pipe among the hills.
Hear me, you swelling valleys.
Hear me, you waving meadows.
Hear me, you happy songful forests.

For I am no longer lonely among your splendors,
I have become your brother and one of your kin.
Greet me, fair likeness of myself,
Glad earth that Love has fulfilled.

Nearness is still far,
Grace is yet but a forward step.
You are in me as eternally mine.

You have come over me
as buds come upon a spray.
You have sprung forth in me
like roses in the hedgerows.

I bloom in the red-thorn of this love.
I bloom on all my branches
in the purple of these gifts.

I bloom with fiery tongues,
I bloom with flaming fulfillment,
I bloom out of the Holy Spirit of God.


“Hymns to the Church”

Image: "Spring Hares" by Andrew Haslen