Though the dawn breaks cheerless on this place today.
My spirit walks upon a path of light.
For I know my greatness.
Though hast built me a throne within thy heart.
I dwell safely within the circle of thy care.
I cannot for a moment fall out of thine everlasting arms.
I am on my way to glory.
When mystery hides thee from the sight of faith and hope:
When pain turns even love to dust:
When life is bitter to the taste
And our song of joy dies down to silence,
then, Father, do for us that which is past our power to do for ourselves.
Break through our darkness with thy light.
Show us thyself in Jesus suffering on a tree,
rising from a grave,
reigning from a throne,
with all power and love for us unchanging.
So shall our fear be gone and our feet set upon a radiant path.”
My spirit walks upon a path of light.
For I know my greatness.
Though hast built me a throne within thy heart.
I dwell safely within the circle of thy care.
I cannot for a moment fall out of thine everlasting arms.
I am on my way to glory.
When mystery hides thee from the sight of faith and hope:
When pain turns even love to dust:
When life is bitter to the taste
And our song of joy dies down to silence,
then, Father, do for us that which is past our power to do for ourselves.
Break through our darkness with thy light.
Show us thyself in Jesus suffering on a tree,
rising from a grave,
reigning from a throne,
with all power and love for us unchanging.
So shall our fear be gone and our feet set upon a radiant path.”
(Hebridean Altars)
Adapted by Rt. Rev. Mgr. James Ryan
Adapted by Rt. Rev. Mgr. James Ryan
| The spiritual gem that is “Hebridean Altars” was given to me by the late Canon Donald MacKay of Daliburgh, South Uist. We had been colleagues on the staff of The Royal Scots College, Valladolid/Salamanca. He gave it to me on the occasion of my leaving Salamanca in 1990. Although he was very ill he came to my 50th Anniversary Mass and celebrations and he died six weeks later. The subtitle of “Hebridean Altars” is “The Spirit of an Island Race.” It is rarely far from my reach. This is why I would like to share this reflection with you. “Hebridean Altars” was written by the Rev. Alistair MacLean, a Church of Scotland Minister. He was renowned for his “fire and brimstone” sermons but in "Hebridean Altars" he encapsulates the best of Celtic spirituality. This reminds us that spiritual expression is not the reserve of any one faith or creed. |  |
The passage I have chosen is a redaction. It is taken from two different chapters in the book, which I think bond and blend. It takes us from the brooding, cheerless place of the opening line to the exaltation of the radiant paths in the finishing line.
This reminds us that the light of Christ is eternally glowing with a luminous radiance that can never be extinguished by any darkness, be it (COVID 19 or) even death itself.
PS. Lyricism must run in the genes. Alistair, one of his sons of the same ilk went on to be a successful author e.g. Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra.
This reminds us that the light of Christ is eternally glowing with a luminous radiance that can never be extinguished by any darkness, be it (COVID 19 or) even death itself.
PS. Lyricism must run in the genes. Alistair, one of his sons of the same ilk went on to be a successful author e.g. Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra.
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