BOOK REVIEW : Praying the Psalms by Thomas Merton

Abbey of Gethsemani – August 1962 by Pimon Singhasin

Since starting at St Giles-in-the-Fields I think have said more psalms each day than ever before! The Book of Common Prayer is the basis for all the liturgy here. In it, all 150 psalms are said consecutively, with the Psalter dividing the text into sixty groups of Psalms to be said each day of the month at Morning and Evening Prayer.  When a month has thirty one days, the psalms set for the thirtieth day are repeated. 

‘Praying the Psalms’ is a short essay by the Catholic Priest and Trappist Monk Thomas Merton. In it he offers advice on how to gain a “lived sense” of the Psalms - something he says is vital if we are to truly pray with them. 

Sermon - The Miracle of Multiplication

Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish. Jesus Mafa Project, Cameroon

A sermon given during Holy Communion at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Sunday 23rd July 2023. The Seventh Sunday after Trinity. Based on readings from Romans 6.19-end and Mark 8.1-9 (BCP). 

Coffee with Caiaphas - The Chester Mystery Plays 2023

The Mystery Plays tapestry quilt by B.J.Elvgren, displayed in Chester Cathedral

I once met a nun who felt called to a cloistered life after being captivated by the musical Godspell as a teenager. I confess that I too find dramatic representations of the Passion of Christ encountered outside of the liturgy of the church to be particularly powerful. One of the most arresting such experiences has been watching the Mystery Plays. 

Sermon - Holy, Holey, Wholly

The Vision of Isaiah, Marc Chagall, 1968

A sermon preached at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Sunday 2nd July 2023 (The Fourth Sunday after Trinity) based on readings from Isaiah 6.1-7 and Acts 6.1-8. The first sermon I preached as Curate of the church.