Christian Art | George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | To All Angels And Saints
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | To All Angels And Saints
Oh glorious spirits, who after all your bands
See the smooth face of God, without a frown
Or strict commands;
Where ev’ry one is king, and hath his crown,
If not upon his head, yet in his hands:
Not out of envie or maliciousnesse
Do I forbear to crave your speciall aid:I would addresse
My vows to thee most gladly, blessed Maid,
And Mother of my God, in my distresse.
Thou art the holy mine, whence came the gold,
The great restorative for all decayIn young and old;
Thou art the cabinet where the jewell lay:
Chiefly to thee would I my soul unfold:
But now (alas!) I dare not; for our King,
Whom we do all joyntly adore and praise,Bids no such thing:
And where his pleasure no injunction layes,
(’Tis your own case) ye never move a wing.
All worship is prerogative, and a flower
Of his rich crown, from whom lyes no appealAt the last houre:
Therefore we dare not from his garland steal,
To make a posie for inferiour power.
Although then others court you, if ye know
What’s done on earth, we shall not fare the worse,
Who do not so;
Since we are ever ready to disburse,
If any one our Masters hand can show…
George Herbert | The Temple | The Church | To All Angels And Saints
The poem explores themes of worship, reverence, and obedience to divine authority. The poem reflects religious tensions of the legacy Reformation era. It expresses Herbert’s struggle with the practice of venerating saints and Mary, this with an unwavering commitment to Christ’s commands. Herbert knows truth, and yet refrains from seeking angels’ and saints’ intercession, with the thought that all worship belongs solely to God.
The opening stanza sets a tone of admiration for the saints, describing their heavenly state and their direct communion with God. The saints are portrayed as glorified beings, crowned with divine favor, and enjoying eternal peace. Herbert’s reverence is clear, but it is not uncritical. He acknowledges their majesty while carefully maintaining a theological boundary: their glory derives entirely from God, not from themselves.
The poem moves to address Blessed Virgin Mary, whom the speaker honors as the ‘holy mine’ from which Christ’s redemptive presence emerged. This description highlights Mary’s unique role in salvation history, portraying her as both sacred and intimately connected to Christ. Yet Herbert refrains from directing his prayers to Mary. This decision is not rooted in disdain but in theological caution, as Christ has issued no command to venerate Mary or the saints.
Central to the poem is the assertion that worship is a divine prerogative. Herbert describes worship as a ‘flower of his rich crown’, a metaphor emphasizing its sacred exclusivity. To divert any portion of worship to ‘inferior power’ is to diminish God’s glory. This reflects the protestant reformation’s rejection of practices such as and including invocation of saints, which reformers viewed as potentially idolatrous.
The poem’s tone remains respectful rather than polemical. Herbert does not denounce those who seek the intercession of saints; instead, he defends his own restraint by appealing to divine authority. The final stanza underscores this principle, stating that while others may choose differently, he and his community adhere strictly to Christ’s instructions. This decision is framed not as a rejection of the saints but as fidelity to God’s will.
The poem emphasizes sufficiency of Christ as the sole mediator and the centrality of Scripture in guiding worship. The poem also reflects a personal humility, as Herbert seeks to honour God without presuming to know more than what has been revealed. In so doing, the poem presents a nuanced and reverent meditation on faith, obedience, and boundaries of devotion.
Jesus sees that what he has so far said to the disciples during the Last Supper has left them troubled. His speaking of Peter’s imminent denial must have been especially upsetting. In these verses, Jesus now reassures the disciples. They will come to heaven, just as we all may. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions.’ No matter our shortcomings, through faith we can find that there is a place in heaven prepared especially for us [ … ]
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.
John’s teaching of the journeys Jesus makes is more complete than the other Gospels. According to the other Gospels, Jesus travels only once to Jerusalem, when he goes to be crucified. According to John, Jesus travels at least two or three times to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. This gives us the approximation of the duration of Jesus’ public life as being three years [ … ]
