Beheading of John the Baptist

That reading from Jeremiah is so stirring: “I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, a bronze wall, against the whole land—kings, princes, priests, people—they will fight against you but they shall not prevail, for I am with you, says God, I will deliver you.” Stirring… but a lie. Jeremiah gets to prophecy …

The Visitation

I love the poetry but it disturbs me deeply. It’s something about seeing … and seeing where you belong. Elizabeth sees only honour and blessing and joy in her kinswoman’s womb. But Mary is more canny. Of all her people’s heroes she might have identified with, Mary claims kinship with Hannah and echoes the song …