Through Holy Week with R S Thomas and Andrew Rudd

From Monday to Thursday of this special week, the church I attend - St Laurence, Frodsham - will be having a communion service at 7.30pm each evening. During these services we will be reflecting on Holy Week, helped by the poetry of R S Thomas. Our own local poet - Andrew Rudd - is guiding us with his choices of Thomas's poems and some reflective thoughts.

Tonight Andrew chose the following poem:

The Bright Field

I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the pearl
of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realize now
that I must give all that I have
to possess it. Life is not hurrying

on to a receeding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed as transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you.

Andrew spoke of the importance of the present moment - rather than the past or the future - and the wonder of those occasional transcendent moments when we experience something of 'the other' - of God. It was a very moving reflection, touching all those present very deeply and we are very grateful to Andrew - who is also a Reader at St Laurence - for his thoughtfulness and wisdom.

These services are quiet, reflective Eucharists with no singing. If you are in the Frodsham area during Holy Week 2009, you would be most welcome to join us.

Have any 'transcendent' moments been particularly important to you?