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Father Alex McAllister SDS

RC Church of Christ the King

11 Castle Street

Thornbury

South Gloucestershire

BS35 1HA

tel: 01454 412223

 

In the Diocese of Clifton

Served by The Salvatorians

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Conclusion of the Jordan Year --Sermon

Love Through the Ages

I’m in this happy position at the moment of thoroughly enjoying work, as I’m preparing a new course, called ‘Love through the Ages’, for my English Year 13 group (Upper Six in old money). As part of this course we’ll be exploring love poems from the rough and tumble of Chaucer, through the sophisticated metaphysics of John Donne, to the acerbic wit of our present poet laureate, Carol Anne Duffy.

A few things have struck me as I’ve been ruminating on the literature of love. Love isn’t always positive – a recent encounter in class with the destructive passion of Heathcliff is proof of that. Some types of human love can be difficult or uncomfortable. Love can also seem elusive or impossible. But whatever else it may be, love seems to open up new dimensions, a whole set of possibilities which inform and enrich our lives.

So on this feast of Corpus Christi, when we celebrate the symbol of Christ’s love for us, which exceeds all human loves in perfection, let us pray for our Confirmation candidates, that in embracing the challenges of the church, their lives be enriched with delight, wisdom and joy.

And finally a love poem by Shakespeare, who else, showing us the transforming power of love.

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least,
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate

For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

S Fagan