The secret garden in Burnett’s novel works as a metaphor for the soul.
Tag Archives: Grace
Secret Garden, Hidden Soul
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Francis Hodgson Burnett, gardening, Secret Garden, Soul, Spring Comments closed
Help Me Forget the Cold
L’Engle’s poem “The Winter Is Cold, Is Cold” describes a frozen heart that can melt only if it is willing to take a risk and love.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Winter is cold is cold", frozen heart, Madeleine L'Engle Comments closed
Please God, Prepare a Fruitful Place
William Cowper has a lovely poem about the parable of the sower and the seed. Cowper wrestled with crippling depression and was afraid that his heart was too stony to receive God’s grace.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Sower", parable of the sower and the seed, stony heart, William Cowper Comments closed
O’Connor’s Christianity and Racism
“Artificial Nigger” can be read two ways–either as a story of sin and redemption or as a story of Whites finding unity by scapegoating Blacks. A definitive interpretation may depend on readers’ reactions.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Artificial Nigger, Flannery O'Connor, forgiveness, Good Man Is Hard to Find, Lent, racism, salvation Comments closed
A Good Faith Is Hard To Find
Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” is a profound meditation on doubt and faith.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Catholicism, Doubt, existential despair, Faith, Flannery O'Connor, Good Man Is Hard to Find, Lent, Sin Comments closed
The Creator Spirit’s Deep Embrace
Denise Levertov’s “Avowal” equates opening oneself to God to opening oneself to “the Creator Spirit.”
The Transcendent Properties of Food
“Babette’s Feast” is about a sumptuous banquet that descends upon a querulous community like an act of grace, thereby allowing the spirit to flow again. In other words, it’s a good film to watch these days when our own communities are troubled and having difficulty coming together.
Butterfly Wings, Easter Transformation
Spiritual Sunday In the Episcopal church we are still in the season of Easter, which is coinciding this year with a particularly beautiful spring. I’ve therefore chosen another Easter poem for “Spiritual Sunday.” This is an emblem poem by my favorite religious poet, George Herbert. It is entitled “Easter Wings”: Lord, Who createdst man in […]
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