HEALING OF BLIND MAN BY JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD

 

Tabernacle lamps within the heart

Long years the blind man walked without sight,

Without the dawn, without the light;

He knew no colour, shape, nor flame,

And few would pause to ask his name.

Beside the road in grief he stayed,

While seasons passed and sunlight played;

Yet through the dark his heart still cried,

For mercy none on earth supplied.

Then Jesus came with healing plan,

He looked with pity on the man;

He spat upon the dusty ground,

Holy healing there was found.

The clay He placed on sightless eyes,

Beneath wide Judean skies;

“Go wash,” the blessed Saviour said,

Hopeful thought filled the blind man's head.

He washed within the waters clear,

Suddenly the world drew near;

The light burst forth in radiant streams,

Like morning shining through his dreams.

The first dear sight his eyes did see,

Was Christ in gentle majesty;

O what a Face of Love Divine,

What blessed Saviour, Lord, is mine!

So let us ask Christ every day,

To wash our inner dark away;

To heal the blindness of our soul,

That keeps our hearts from being whole.

When others hurt and silent weep,

Too often we pass by as if asleep.

Lord, give us eyes that see,

The pain of lost humanity.

Bring holy light into our mind,

Where fear and hidden shadows bind;

Shine through chambers of our heart,

Bid the blight of sin depart.

Then when at last to Heaven we rise,

With opened souls and opened eyes;

May holy lamps within us burn,

As our heart to Christ we turn.

Like the man once blind from birth,

Who saw God’s Light upon this earth;

May Heaven’s tabernacle flame,

Shine bright in souls who love Christ's Name.

JESUS HEALS THE BLIND MAN - JOHN CHAPTER 9

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GfDHFuopeyI

With thanks to Youtube

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Offering of light to the Divine"

HOLY TERTULLIAN - DO NOT REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL

 

TERTULLIAN (Born c. 155/160 - 220 CE)

"It is absolutely forbidden to repay evil with evil."

Holy Tertullian and Latin Christian literature

Holy Tertullian (Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus), was born around 155 to 160 and deceased after 220 AD). He was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. Tertullian was the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. 

Apologist and polemicist

He was an early Christian apologist and a polemicist against what he viewed as heresy. A polemicist is an individual who makes strong arguments in speech or writing, often attacking or defending a particular opinion or belief. They are known for their rhetoric, especially on controversial topics such as politics or religion.

Father of Latin Christianity, founder of Western theology

Tertullian was one of the most brilliant and influential of the early Christian writers. Many of his works influenced later Christian theology, especially in the Latin-speaking Church.

Tertullian was the first theologian to write in Latin, and so has been called "the father of the Latin Church," as well as "the founder of Western [Christian] theology." 

Tertullian introduced the term Trinity, as the Latin Trinitas, to the Christian vocabulary. It is thought that he probably introduced the formula "three Persons, one Substance" as the Latin "tres Personae, una Substantia" (itself from the Koine Greed "treis Hypostases, Homoousios"), and also the terms vetus testamentum ("old testament") and novum testamentum ("new testament").

In his Apologeticus, Tertullain was the first Latin author who qualified Christianity as the "vera religio" (true religion) and symmetrically relegated the classical Empire religion and other accepted cults to the position of "superstitions".  

Tertullian thus originated new theological concepts, for which the Church is indebted to him. He also advanced the development of early Church doctrine. Tertullian helped to develop theological language not only about the Trinity, but also about the Nature of Christ, repentance, morality and martyrdom. Some of his teachings were later rejected by the Church.

Montanism

Later in life, Tertullian became associated with the movement known as Montanism. The Montanists emphasized strict asceticism, ecstatic prophecy, and rigorous discipline. Some of the positions he held during this later period were not accepted by the wider Church.

The Church takes time

It is true that throughout history, new theological ideas and formulations have sometimes been controversial at first. The Church often takes time to examine whether a teaching faithfully develops the apostolic faith or departs from it. Genuine theological development can occur, but the Church also distinguishes between authentic development and error.

Some writings rejected

In Tertullian’s case, the Church did not reject everything he wrote. On the contrary, much of his thought remained highly respected and influential. What was rejected were certain heterodox tendencies connected with his later rigorism and Montanist sympathies. (Heterodox means "not in agreement with accepted beliefs, especially in church doctrine or dogma").

Exploration of difficult theological questions

This is an important distinction: a theologian may contribute profound insights while still holding some views later understood to be mistaken. Many early Christian writers explored difficult theological questions in a period during which doctrine was still being clarified, and precise terminology was still developing. There was ample room to make error in developing schools of thought.

Important early Christian writer and theologian

Tertullian is regarded as an important early Christian writer and theologian. His writings continue to be studied because of their intellectual power, moral seriousness, and influence on Christian thought.

Righteousness, patience and mercy

Tertullian taught that it is forbidden for Christians to repay evil with evil because vengeance belongs to God, and because the disciple of Christ is called to overcome hatred through righteousness, patience, and mercy.

Example of Jesus Christ

For Tertullian, the Christian life was meant to reflect the example of Jesus Christ Himself. The Son of God endured insults, suffering, and injustice without returning violence for violence. To answer evil with evil would make the Christian resemble the wrongdoer rather than the Lord.

Break the chain of wickedness

Tertullian understood that when a person returns hatred for hatred, the evil is not conquered but multiplied. Sin spreads like fire from one heart to another. But when evil is met with goodness, restraint, forgiveness, and prayer, the chain of wickedness is broken.

This teaching is rooted deeply in the teaching of Christ: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.”  (Matthew 5:44)

The words of Saint Paul tell us: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21)

Citizens of a heavenly kingdom

Tertullian believed that Christians are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. Therefore their conduct must be different from the spirit of the world. The world may seek revenge, triumph, and retaliation. In the spirit of the teachings of Jesus, the Christian seeks holiness, justice tempered with mercy, and the salvation even of enemies.

This does not mean approving of evil or pretending injustice is good. Rather, it means refusing to let another person’s sin transform one’s own soul into bitterness, cruelty, or hatred. The Christian may resist wrongdoing lawfully and truthfully, yet must guard the heart from revenge.

In this way, the believer imitates the patience of Christ, Who prayed even for those who crucified Him.

Tertullian: Forger of New Rivers

In Carthage by the restless sea,
There rose a mind both bold and free;
A soul aflame with holy zeal,
For words that would God's Truth reveal.

Tertullian took early church faith in hand,
He shaped new words to help it stand;
Like smith who strikes the heated steel,
He forged much thought the Church would seal.

He searched the mystery of the Three,
The hidden depths of Deity;
And gave a name still shining bright:
Trinity of living Light.

Through Latin tongue the faith took flame,
Countless souls would bless his name;
For where before few paths were known,
He carved new roads through thought alone.

Yet not all rivers safely run,
Beneath the brightness of the sun;
Some writings strayed in thought afar,
Like ships that wander from guiding star.

Though words from his pen helped truth be taught,
There were some where error mingled thought;
For such the risk that's borne by those,
Who seek where deeper wisdom flows.

Yet Tertullian was in quest unbowed -
Unbent by fear, courage uncowed;
Undaunted by failures of theological thought,
He started anew as Christ he sought.

He sailed uncharted seas of mind,
Leaving safer shores behind;
Not seeking glory, wealth, or fame,
But truth within Christ Jesus’ Name.

He trusted God, the Lord of All,
To sift what stood and what would fall;
So that mistaken chaff failed to take root,
While wheat of truth grew crop from shoot. 

Truly still his words remain,
As distant bells across the plain;
For centuries have heard the sound,
Of thoughts first broken from his ground.

Tertullian sought Christ's holy Truth,
He taught in church's early youth.
Now Heaven may look down ages vast,
Upon Tertullian's labour still holding fast.

We would know far less today,
Had Tertullian not helped to clear the way;
Had he not crossed untrodden streams,
In search of God beyond men’s dreams.

Let us learn from souls like this:
Not every path is walked in bliss;
Yet holy courage still must strive,
To keep the living faith alive.

Minds that fear to seek anew,
May never learn what yet is true;
Tertullian, unfearful of men’s blame
Served his life in Christ’s dear Name.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Heavenly encounter of Holy Tertullian with Christ" 

THE JEWELLER OF OUR SOULS - SONG

 

The Jeweller of Souls

(to the tune of public domain hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson)

(Sing with prayerful, soulful tone)

Verse 1;

When God looked down on His nation,
Dwelling in the desert sand.
He chose craftsmen for His station,
Gifted by His Holy Hand.
Bezalel wrought gold with splendour,
Aholiab did labour too;
For the Lord, they shaped great beauty,
Faithful in the work they knew.

Verse 2;

Filigree and shining treasure,
Precious stones in radiant flame.
Hammered out with skill and measure,
Fashioned for God’s holy Name.
Topaz glowed with wisdom’s brightness,
Amethyst with royal grace.
Pearls proclaimed the soul’s steadfastness,
Rubies burned through sacrifice.

Verse 3;

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

Sapphires shone with loyal spirit,
Constant through the darkest days.
Every jewel seemed to mirror,
Hearts refined through holy ways.
For the Lord still calls His people,
To a temple, not of stone;
But within the soul’s deep chamber,
God would fashion as His own.

Verse 4;

We ourselves must be the dwelling,
Where the lamps of grace are bright;
Where the incense of our praying,
Rises upward day and night.
Let our virtues shine like jewels,
Set within the inward shrine;
Let our thoughts and deeds be holy,
Consecrated to Divine.

Verse 5;

When the griefs of life surround us,
Sorrows, losses, pain, and tears;
These are tools the Master uses,
Through the polishing of years.
All our pride and roughness yielding,
Slowly shaped by Heaven’s art,
Till at last the Lord beholds there,
A pure jewel in the heart.

Verse 6;

As the ancient craftsmen laboured,
For the Holy One above;
Let us labour in His Service,
Fashioned daily by His Love.
Then, when we shall stand before Him,
At the ending of our days;
He shall find His Image shining,
Through our lives of prayer and praise.

Verse 7;

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

Not in gold that may fade slowly,
Not in earthly gems that dim;
But in souls made bright and holy,
With beauty meant for Him.
May we find the Divine Jeweller,
Who works through all our days;
To make us pure and holy,
Fit to offer heaven'ly praise.

Verse 8;

(First four lines of the tune)

(Rallentando)

Not in gold that may fade slowly,
Not in earthly gems that dim;
But in souls made bright and holy,
With beauty meant for Him.

Inspired by Exodus chapter 24, 25, 35 and 39

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "God, the Jeweller of our souls" 

ARTISANS CALLED BY GOD - JEWELS FASHIONED FOR THE TABERNACLE

 

THE ARTISANS CALLED BY GOD

"And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship; to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. 

"And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver - those who do every work and those who design artistic works." (Exodus 35:30-35)

"And they set onyx stones, enclosed in gold filigree settings; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel. He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses." (Exodus 39:6-7)

"And they mounted four rows of stones upon it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings." (Exodus 39:10-13)

"And they saw the God of Israel; and under His Feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself." (Exodus 24:10)

"Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them." (Exodus 25:8)

The Jeweller of souls

When God looked down on Israel’s camp,
Amid the desert’s sunlit lamp;
He chose two men with gifted hand,
To shape His House at His command.

Bezalel with wisdom richly blessed,
Aholiab whose talent was no less;
They wrought with silver, gold, and flame,
For glory of the Holy Name.

With filigree so fine and fair,
And precious stones beyond compare;
They carved and hammered through the night,
Till sacred things shone forth in light.

Topaz gleamed with wisdom bright,
Amethyst with royal light;
Pearl spoke soft of constant grace,
Ruby burned through sacrifice.

Sapphire told of steadfast ways,
Of loyalty through nights and days;
Each jewel set with patient art,
As though God shaped the human heart.

For even now the Lord still calls
Within our souls’ deep hidden halls;
Not now to build with earthly stone,
But shape the temple of our own.

Our bodies are His courts below,
Where sacred lamps are meant to glow;
Our souls the chambers set apart,
The Holy Place within the heart.

Let incense rise in faithful prayer,
Like fragrant sweetness in the air;
Let virtue gleam like jewels rare,
Adorning spirits bowed in care.

When the trials of life descend,
Sent not to crush us, but to mend,
Grinding sorrows, losses, tears,
Weight and polishing of years -

These rub against our roughened side,
Against our anger, fear, and pride;
Till slowly, through the Master’s art,
A gem is fashioned in our heart.

As craftsmen laboured for the Lord
According to His holy Word;
So let us strive with all our days,
To fashion lives of prayer and praise.

That when at last before Him stand,
The souls long shaped by His own Hand;
God may behold with loving Eye,
A beauty none on earth could buy.

Not clothed in gold that fades away,
Nor jewels that perish in decay;
But inward splendour, pure and bright,
Made radiant in His heavenly sight.

The poem was inspired by the Book of Exodus, chapters 24, 25, 35 and 39

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "God, the Jeweller of our souls" 

THE LORD SPOKE TO THE RAVENS

 

"Then the Word of the LORD came to Elijah. "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there."

So he did with the LORD told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook." [1 Kings 17:2-6]

The ravens brought him bread

Upon the lonely mountain side,
Where shadowed cliffs and dark caves hide;
The prophet rested, worn and weak,
With hollow heart and parchéd cheek.

Beside the brook in Kerith vale,
Where desert winds and shadows pale
Didst sweep across the rugged stone -
Elijah thought himself alone.

Yet God Who formed the earth and sky,
Who hears the smallest sparrow cry -
Spoke softly through the morning air
To creatures of His tender care.

The ravens heard the Lord Most High,
Who guides the eagle when to fly;
They searched the villages around,
Till bread for Elijah they had found.

At break of dawn their wings took flight,
Again they came by fading light;
With morsels borne in beaks so small,
Obeying faithfully God’s own call.

The brook flowed cool beside the cave,
A quiet stream God kindly gave;
Each drop a whisper from above:
“I keep thee in My watchful love.”

O why then do our hearts despair,
And tremble underneath life’s care?
Why fear tomorrow’s unknown way,
When God sustains both night and day?

The Lord Who taught the birds to feed,
Knows every sorrow, want, and need;
The One Who clothed the lilies fair,
Still watches all with patient care.

He speaks to all who live on earth,
All creatures whom His Word gave birth;
Forests, oceans, stars above,
All move according to His Love.

Yet we, who share this world so bright,
Too often wound instead of light;
We scorn the creatures by our side,
Though all in God’s own Hand abide.

The lamb, the raven, deer, and dove,
Were fashioned by the God of Love;
Our neighbours all beneath the sun
Belong unto the Holy One.

Then let us trust as Elijah did,
When all the world from sight was hid;
For even in the darkest cave,
The Lord remembers still to save.

When our hearts grow faint with fear,
May Heaven’s gentle Voice draw near:
“The God Who fed the ravens then,
Will surely care for thee again.”

The poem was inspired by 1 Kings 17:2-26

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Prophet and the Ravens" 

WHEN THE BOOK OF MY LIFE IS OPENED

 

When the book of my life is opened

One day there will be a reckoning, when all our days are told,
When every hidden thought is known, when time itself unfold;
Each of us shall stand there, before the judgment Throne,
Before the gaze of Christ our Lord, no merit of our own.

He will ask with piercing light, yet mercy in His Tone,
“What did you do with My Word, the seed that I have sown?
Were you faithful to My teaching, your footsteps true and right?
Or did you turn away from Me, and wander from My Light?”

I may answer, truthfully, “Lord, my life book has seen blot;
I sinned in word and silence, oft the better path forgot;
I hurt others, I did falter; I failed in love and deed,
And often acted blindly, unperceiving others’ need.

Yet through it all, I sought You; though stumbling on my way.
I tried to rise when fallen, to begin anew each day.
When I looked upon You, Lord, upon the Cross You bore,
I found the strength to stand again, when I could stand no more.

For even as You fell for me, beneath that heavy wood,
My heart was strangely lifted up to choose what once I should;
And so I learned in weakness, in sorrow and in pain,
That falling is not final when Your Mercy lifts again.

Yes, my book was marked and written. with faults beyond deny -
There were times I turned away, compassion passed me by;
There were moments I grew silent. when I should have stood for right,
When others’ pain lay open, and I failed them in their plight.

Yet still Your Mercy softened me, like rain upon dry ground,
In cracks of brokenness, Your healing Grace I found;
Slowly, imperfectly, I learned to love and give,
In Your Word and Sacrament, I learned again to live.

Oh, dear Lord, I cast myself, upon Your Mercy's Flame,
No great holiness of mind and soul, are ever mine to claim.
I only ask that when You look into this heart of mine,
You see the work of Your own Hand; and faintest trace of Thine.

Though my book is written in with pages stained and worn,
Still let Your Mercy gather what in love was truly born.
Let Your gentle hands, O Saviour, sift the gold from all my clay;
Please keep what was of You in me -  let the rest all pass away.

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Devotion before Royal Throne"

                                                               ********************

Public sermon by Reverend Vanessa Wyse Jackson December 2014; Dublin Ireland - 

"One day, there will be a reckoning. Jesus will ask us, what did we do with His Word in our lives?"

                                                                  Reverend Vanessa Wyse-Jackson

ONE DAY THERE WILL BE A RECKONING - REVEREND VANESSA WHYSE-JACKSON

 

"One day, there will be a reckoning. Jesus will ask us, what did we do with His Word in our lives?"

                                                                  Reverend Vanessa Wyse-Jackson

Public sermon by Reverend Vanessa Wyse Jackson December 2014; Dublin Ireland

When the Word asks us

When all is stilled at journey’s end,
And earth no longer claims as friend;
When time gives way to endless day,
As all our deeds stand clear as clay.

Before the Throne where silence burns,
As every heart at truth-table turns;
We hear a Voice both just and kind,
That searches every soul and mind.

“What did you do with Word I gave,
The light I sent, the power to save?
Did you receive, did you abide,
Or let it lie there cast aside?”

For not in dust upon a shelf,
Nor words admired but kept for self;
Does living truth traverse earth's breadth,
But in true witness of devotion-depth.

So let us read and let us pray,
While we walk the narrow Way;
Not hearers only, but made whole,
God's Word engraved upon our soul.

Let us the Word of Life embrace,
To mirror Christ in every place;
That others, thirsting, might be fed
With Living Waters Christ has shed.

Until the ends of all the earth
Have known the Saviour’s costly worth,
And everyone in every land
Has honoured God's most loving Hand.

Lest we arrive at that great Throne,
To shamed stand silent, much to atone;
May joy be found in what we’ve done:
“My child, you lived the Word - well done.”

Poem inspired by Rev Vanessa's sermon

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Judgement"