Christian Art | George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Easter
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Easter
Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise
Without delayes,
Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise
With him mayst rise:
That, as his death calcined thee to dust,
His life may make thee gold, and much more just.
Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part
With all thy art.
The crosse taught all wood to resound his name,
Who bore the same.
His streched sinews taught all strings, what key
Is best to celebrate this most high day.
Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song
Pleasant and long:
Or since all musick is but three parts vied
And multiplied;
O let thy blessed Spirit bear a part,
And make up our defects with his sweet art.
I got me flowers to straw thy way;
I got me boughs off many a tree:
But thou wast up by break of day,
And brought’st thy sweets along with thee.
The Sunne arising in the East,
Though he give light, and th’ East perfume;
If they should offer to contest
With thy arising, they presume.
Can there be any day but this,
Though many sunnes to shine endeavour?
We count three hundred, but we misse:
There is but one, and that one ever.
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | Easter
The poem is an expression of praise and resurrection, where the poet calls upon his ‘heart’ to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection and to rise spiritually with Him. The poem opens with a command to the heart to ‘Rise’ in response to the Lord’s resurrection, suggesting a spiritual ascent that mirrors Christ’s victory over death. The poet then emphasizes that, just as Christ’s death reduced the believer to ‘dust’, Jesus Christ’s new life will refine them, transforming them into something valuable and ‘just’, akin to ‘gold’. This allusion to spiritual purification conveys that through the resurrection, believers attain not only forgiveness but a path to becoming more righteous.
The poet next calls upon his ‘lute’, urging it to join in the praise with all its ‘art’. The reference to the ‘cross’ teaching ‘all wood to resound his name’ connects nature and human instruments with divine purpose, as though all creation can participate in proclaiming God’s glory. Similarly, the stretched ‘sinews’ and ‘strings’ taught by Christ’s suffering suggest that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice brings harmony to everything, from the human heart to musical instruments, pointing to a universal resonance with Christ’s resurrection.
In the following stanza, the poet seeks a partnership between ‘heart and lute’, weaving together a ‘song’ that is both ‘pleasant and long’. The phrase ‘pleasant and long’ implies that the celebration is both joyful and enduring, suitable for honoring the resurrection’s eternal significance. Here, the poet suggests that ‘all music is but three parts vied’, likely referencing the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as the ultimate unity and balance in music. He asks that the Holy Spirit participate in the song to compensate for human deficiencies, underscoring the belief that divine grace completes human effort.
A shift occurs as the poet reflects on the act of gathering ‘flowers to strew thy way’, recalling traditional processions for special occasions, but finds that Christ has risen ‘by break of day’ and brought ‘sweets’ with him. This underscores the idea that the resurrection is an act of divine initiative, beyond human preparation. The sun, ‘arising in the east’, brings light and fragrance, but even these natural phenomena are inferior to Christ’s resurrection. By presenting Christ’s resurrection as far surpassing earthly phenomena, the poet highlights the event’s divine nature.
In the final lines, the poet ponders whether there can be any other ‘day but this’, implying that the resurrection marks the singular, ultimate day. While there are ‘many suns’ that try to shine, they fall short of matching this day. He notes that while humans ‘count three hundred’ days, only ‘one’ truly matters—the day of resurrection, which stands outside ordinary time. This closing line suggests that the resurrection is an eternal event, outside the limitations of temporal measures and pointing to the idea of everlasting life offered through Christ’s triumph over death. The poem as a whole celebrates the resurrection’s transformative impact on both individual believers and all creation, calling for an eternal song of praise.
Psalm 116 is deeply personal and an emotive psalm, expressing gratitude for deliverance from near-death experiences. It is a heartfelt acknowledgment of God’s mercy and a commitment to lifelong service and praise. This psalm, often recited in times of distress and thanksgiving, carries an intimate tone and reflective nature [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
According to Jewish law, couples became engaged around one year prior to marriage, and this engagement was most solemn and binding – an act of divorce would be needed to break the relationship. It is during this period that Mary is found to be with child of the Holy Ghost. She has done nothing wrong, she is a virgin, Christ’s conception is miraculous, but on the surface of things this was a terrible state of affairs, for Mary and Joseph also [ … ]
