MASS AND MARKET 11 February 2026

 

Still night at 7.00, I have two shadows

this morning.

The church is dark, 

I light a candle.

The priest in mauve and gold

thoughts flit aimlessly 

shaking the Priest's bony hand

I walk out into daylight.

Copyright L. Ivison 2025

THE ATTIC

So many years have passed

there is a crack in the wall

soot has tumbled from the chimney

the view stays the same

chimneys, roof tops and

seagulls living hidden lives.

they are careless that I watch  them as

 their eyes stare above my roof

necks turning to the right to the left

breasts as white as any angel's wing

they are careless of the joy they bring.

Copyright L. Ivison 2025

ADORATION March 8 2025

 

Saturday morning

through the market

new trousers 2 euros.

Light steps on ancient flagstones which

have echoed for a thousand years.

Two candles each side of the

The Sacred Host.

Silence is broken by

the confessor's voice

which crosses the aisles

 the penitent cannot be heard

Muffled voices behind me,  the seagulls

screech eagerly to each other

they are joyful in the cold Spring sunlight.

the chime, like a death toll

drowns out all other prayers

Yesterday I passed by the Church

cathedral sized

and heard the organ groan

but today there is no music but sweet murmurs

in my heart which can be heard if

I listen.

Copyright 2025 L. Ivison

WERE THERE ANGELS?

 

I stood at 9.00 a.m. on flagstones

laid 800 years before.

 

I saw a thousand souls who 

had prayed across the years

and felt their breath so closely

one wiped away my tears.

L. Ivison 2025 copyright.

MARK 3 9 JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS DISCIPLES TO PREPARE A BOAT

 JESUS INSTRUCTED HIS DISCIPLES TO HAVE A BOAT READY SO THE CROWD WOULD NOT CRUSH HIM

Context:   In the preceding verses the crowds are defined by origin - unspecified groups from all over Israel as far as Sydon.  

In this verse it is as if the camera comes into focus and the detail of the boat brings the image nearer, more realistic.    It does not say at what time of the day Jesus instructed his disciples, but the following verse says that Jesus had healed many sick people that day.  We can assume it is the afternoon, possibly the late afternoon on the lake of Galilee.  Jesus gives commands to his disciples showing that He is the Teacher and Master and they the servants.

The fact that Jesus protects himself physically from the crowd reinforces his humanity and the fragility of the human body - showing that He is truly human as well as divine.  This detail did not have to be put in, but also acts as a focusing in on a detail - the detail of Jesus' human body.

Amen

6 MARCH 10.30 a.m.

 up the shady street to the market

shadows as sharp as October

in winter coats the spring sun

is tepid, but makes us happy.

straggling rays reach hopefully

into dingy rooms

was Spring this delightful last year?

Why do I forget joyful days?

Will I forget the frosts and gales soon?

The sun departs too quickly and

leaves us again in freezing winter

but now the crocuses and daffodils

crowd the hedgerows and fields.

Welcome sweet spring.

Copyright L. Ivison 2025

ACHING BONES

 Long lost my youth

so many years ago

a thousand or just ten

it's difficult to know.

lost youth 

oh no regrets

i arrive at old age's

aching shore.

each moment now

dressed in sweet joy

each day a little nearer

to my heavenly Lord.