Category: Other People’s Words

January – a poem at the turning of the year by Marjorie Dobson

January

(the month is named after the Roman god, Janus, whose two faces looked in opposite directions and who was the god of doors, or openings.)



At the turning of the year 
that two-faced Roman god 
looks longingly back, 
yet urges us forward 
into the unknown.


We stand at the threshold, 
knowing we must face
the unknowable, 
yet lingering and clinging 
to what we leave behind.


The changing pace of time 
may fill us with dread
when anxieties overwhelm, 
or danger threatens, 
or the future has predictable limitations.


There may be hope in days ahead, 
promises to be fulfilled, 
vows to be made, 
new life and new directions 
glittering with expectation.


But the two-faced god 
pays no regard to pain or pleasure, 
simply stands like stone 
gazing impassively 
in both directions.


Thank God, the God we know, 
holds past and future 
in living, loving hands 
and takes on flesh 
to prove the truth of that involvement.


Marjorie Dobson © Stainer & Bell Ltd 2019 from Unravelling the Mysteries

A More Excellent Way –  Inderjit Bhogal – Theology Everywhere blog

Inderjit Bhogal reflects on A More Excellent Way

Loving, compassionate and welcoming responses to refugees arriving in the UK across the English Channel are lighting up ways to challenge hostility with protective hospitality…..

If he had come – a poem for Advent and Christmas by Marjorie Dobson

If he had come …

 

If he had come as a king with a robe and jewels

and a crown of gold,

he would have been impressive.

But there would have been those

who envied him his wealth,

tried to steal his jewels,

or attempted to rob him of his crown.

 

If he had come with a sword and shield

and a following army,

he would have demanded obedience.

But there would have been those

who feared his sword,

claimed he was hiding behind his shield,

or accused him of using military force to conquer them.

 

If he had come as a priest with elaborate vestments,

sanctimonious speeches and zealous religious rituals,

he would have commanded respect.

But there would have been those

who found his vestments ostentatious,

suspected him of hypocrisy in his speeches,

or felt unable to live up to

the impossible regulation of his religion.

 

So, when Jesus came as a vulnerable baby,

grew up in a carpenter’s workshop

and walked around in everyday clothes,

meeting and talking to people about God,

it really was a revelation.

 

Jesus brought no threat of wealth, or force of might,

or blocking of the pathway to God.

He was a man and of the people

and though his robe was stained with blood,

his crown made of thorns

and his death an ignominious execution,

the power of his life has everlasting authority.

 

Marjorie Dobson © Stainer & Bell Ltd published in Unravelling the Mysteries