I had intended to get up early enough to go into College for the Quiet Day, conducted by theologian the Rev'd Marilyn Allen, recently settled in Pontypridd in her retirement, but I didn't wake up early enough, so I spent most of the day quietly at home instead.
Clare came with me for the afternoon penitential liturgy and Eucharist in the College Chapel. We were treated to some nice singing, and caught Marilyn's last address. She'd been working with several striking images of Christ entombed in all three of her discourses. The last one she discussed was a bas relief on a modern altarpiece. My mind was quickly drawn back to the Cathedral and Chapel Royal of St Florent in Liechtenstein, where I took this photo when we visited there last July.
It's a strong reminder that when we receive the sacrament of the Eucharist, we feed on the meaning of the death and resurrection of Christ - 'like cannibals' Marilyn said, in a wry aside - referring back to the allegations laid at the door of the early Christian church by its pagan detractors.
Afterwards we made our way home for supper, rather than stay and socialise. As today is Rhiannon's eighth birthday, we wanted to call and greet her before bed-time. We managed to hook up with Kath and Auntie Rachel over in Canada for a Skype conference call, and sing happy birthday to her trans-continentally.
Ah the marvels of the age!
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