LETTER FROM REVD LOUISE

Dear Friends,

When I was at school, I always dreaded that moment when we would have to write a poem! I was a diligent student but somehow writing poetry always flummoxed me. This made me a bit reluctant when it came to studying poetry when I was studying English Literature in 6th Form (Years 12-13). However, when you think about it, poetry is everywhere. In the catchy jingles of an advertising campaign… ‘Opal fruits, made to make your mouth water’; ‘A finger of fudge is just enough…’ and so on. We listen to poetry when we listen to songs on the radio and how often do we receive cards (Valentines, birthday and sympathy) which has a little poem in it? This isn’t high culture but it’s amazing how well it gets the sentiment across. Similarly, when we sing in church we are singing poetry. Some hymn poems were written nearly 300 years ago, (Love divine, all love’s excelling’), some in the 1980s, (Hands that flung stars into space/to cruel nails surrendered) but in singing the carefully crafted words, we absorb the truths expressed in them.

In poetry, words can express thoughts and feelings which can’t just be explained. The Bible is full of poetry. Chiefly in the book of Psalms which was poetry to be sung in the synagogues and the Temple in Jerusalem. But also, in some of the ideas the writers were trying to express. ‘In the beginning was the Word’ (John 1.1), which we read at Christmas, is Greek philosophy but it is also profound and heart-stirring poetry. ‘Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit’ (Luke 23.46) are the words from a poem (Psalm 31.5) which Jesus quoted whilst dying on the cross: words which gave him comfort in his darkest hour. Words which can help change despair into hope, guilt into freedom.

Over the years, as I have read more poetry, some poems have become very dear to me. One of these was written by the 17th century clergyman, George Herbert. In this poem, George imagines a conversation between an uncomfortable Christian and Jesus (Love). Jesus invites him to share a meal, to draw close to him. But the man is nervous, ashamed, unworthy. Jesus is insistent. He has given his life on the cross out of love for the world. He doesn’t invite us to grovel, to just be his servants. He invites us to share a meal as his friends. This is poetry which expresses a deep truth and draws us into the encounter of the man and Jesus. And through it we perhaps see our personal tussle between doubt and faith, between shame and forgiveness, between fear and love.

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You may have to read the poem a few times to get the hang of it. Reading it out loud or listening to it on YouTube, can help (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Q93x6OHNc)

Love

LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack’d anything.

‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’
Love said, ‘You shall be he.’
‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.’

Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
‘Who made the eyes but I?’

‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.’
‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’
‘My dear, then I will serve.’
‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’
So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert (1593-1633)

Within the depths of this poem is the invitation Jesus offers time and time again to all of us, weak, troubled, sinful people. Come and eat; share my life!

May this Lent be a time of drawing close to the one who has loved us to death. May we each come to know his new life, forgiveness and hope.

God bless you,

With love,

Louise.x