Christian Art | George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Holy Baptism (2)
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Holy Baptism (2)
Since, Lord, to thee
A narrow way and little gate
Is all the passage, on my infancie
Thou didst lay hold, and antedate
My faith in me.
O let me still
Write thee great God, and me a childe:
Let me be soft and supple to thy will,
Small to my self, to others milde,
Behither ill.
Although by stealth
My flesh get on, yet let her sister
My soul bid nothing, but preserve her wealth:
The growth of flesh is but a blister;
Childhood is health.
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Holy Baptism (2)
The poem contemplates the nature of spiritual growth and the relationship between the soul and the body in a Christian context. It begins with a recognition of the ‘narrow way and little gate’, referencing a biblical metaphor for the difficult path of righteousness (Matthew 7:13-14). The poet reflects on his early spiritual awakening (‘on my infancy / Thou didst lay hold’) and the idea that God preemptively initiated his faith before he could fully comprehend it (‘antedate my faith in me’). This expresses the belief that faith is a gift from God, implanted at an early stage.
The next stanza introduces the poet’s desire to maintain humility before God. He prays, ‘Let me still / Write thee great God, and me a child,’ meaning he wishes to always recognize God’s greatness while remaining childlike in humility and obedience. The poet desires to remain ‘soft and supple’ to God’s will, indicating a readiness to submit to divine guidance, free from the ego or self-centeredness that might obstruct spiritual growth (‘Small to myself, to others mild’). This submission and humility contrast with ‘ill’, a term likely signifying sin or moral wrongdoing, which he wishes to avoid.
The third stanza contrasts the ‘flesh’ and the ‘soul’, reflecting a common Christian theme of the inner battle between physical desires and spiritual purity. The poet observes that his flesh, symbolizing earthly or sinful tendencies, grows ‘by stealth’—subtly and almost imperceptibly. However, he asks that his soul, the spiritual sister to the body, remain unaffected by these physical desires (‘let her sister / My soul bid nothing’). The poet sees the body’s physical growth as ultimately harmful or misleading, calling it ‘but a blister’, a temporary and ultimately inconsequential swell that distracts from the true health of the soul. In contrast, he equates spiritual innocence, which he links to ‘childhood’, with true ‘health’.
The central theme of the poem revolves around the importance of spiritual humility, purity, and dependence on God’s guidance in life. By comparing the soul’s relationship to the body with the innocence and dependence of a child, the poet suggests that spiritual health is maintained not by worldly achievements or physical growth, but by staying close to God and resisting the temptations and distractions of the flesh.
In its overall structure, the poem is composed of three stanzas, each reflecting a different aspect of the poet’s inner life: his early faith, his ongoing humility, and the tension between the soul and the flesh. Each stanza builds on the theme of spiritual vulnerability, asking for God’s help in preserving the innocence and purity of faith in the face of life’s complexities and temptations. The poem reflects a deep understanding of Christian spirituality, emphasizing the need for divine grace in navigating the challenges of earthly existence.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV) ‘For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: Naked, and ye clothed me not: I was sick, and ye visited me not: I was in prison, and ye came unto me not.’ Reflection on the Gospel In these verses, Jesus speaks about compassion and how our actions towards others reflect our love for Jesus. Jesus teaches us that by caring for those in need, we are also caring for Jesus. This passage challenges us to look beyond ourselves and extend kindness and mercy to those around us. Prayer Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for a heart filled with compassion. Help me to see others through your eyes, to feel their pain, and to be moved to action. Teach me to love and care for those who are suffering, just as Jesus did. Let my actions reflect your love and bring comfort to those in need. Thank you for your endless compassion and grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Personal Reflection I think about a time when I was in need and someone showed me compassion. How did it make me feel? Now, I consider a time when I had the opportunity to help someone else. How did my actions impact them? Compassion is more than just feeling sympathy for others; it is about taking action to alleviate their suffering. By practicing compassion, I bring God’s love into the world. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Compassion begins with recognizing the humanity in others and responding with love and kindness. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36 remind me that my treatment of others is a reflection of my relationship with Jesus. This is not only a call to action but an invitation to embody God’s love in my daily life. As I meditate on this prayer, I remember the story of the Good Samaritan. Despite being a stranger, the Samaritan showed great compassion to a wounded traveler, demonstrating the kind of love Jesus calls me to show. This story illustrates that true compassion knows no boundaries and is driven by love. I think about those in my community who are in need. I visualize their faces and hold them in my thoughts. I imagine Jesus standing with me, encouraging me to extend compassion and kindness. I feel the warmth of Jesus’ love as I commit to making a difference in their lives. Compassion is not just about grand gestures but also about small acts of kindness that can transform someone’s day. It involves listening, understanding, and being present for others. As I practice compassion, I become a vessel of God’s grace, reflecting Jesus’ love to those around me. Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of compassion. Help me to follow your footsteps and show love to those in need. Grant me the strength and courage to act with kindness and mercy. Fill my heart with empathy and understanding, and let your love be evident in all that I do. Amen. Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12 (KJV) ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;’ Blessing May the compassion of God fill my heart and guide my actions. May His grace empower me to show love and kindness to those in need. Go forth in His love, extending mercy and compassion to all you meet. Amen.
The Bible offers us different accounts of Christ’s first miracle, each suited to the particular needs of the audiences to whom the Gospel evangelists are speaking. In John’s Gospel, the first miracle is that of the wedding feast at Cana. For Luke, it is Jesus freeing himself when those around him, of Nazareth, seek to kill him. Matthew speaks of the healing of a large number of the sick and possessed, most particularly a leper. Here, Mark tells us of the casting out of a devil. In highly compressed form, we are told of how Christ frees us from the fear of evil. He has power over devils. To a people living in fear, this is a most remarkable and wonderful message [ … ]
John begins with a striking claim — that the soul, when united to God and transformed in him, ‘draws from within God a divine breath’. This is not a mere metaphor for inspiration. It expresses his conviction that the life of God flows directly into the soul in such union. The breath is not the soul’s own; it is God’s own life shared with the soul. This draws on Paul’s words in Galatians 4:6: ‘Because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.”’ For John, the presence of the Spirit is not simply moral guidance or consolation; it is the living bond of union with the Trinity [ … ]
