St. Helen’s Daily Lenten Devotional
We often speak of life as a journey. For some that passage seems easy, marked by visits to wonderful tourist spots, meeting fascinating new people, of experiencing the local culture to the fullest. For others, many of the kilometers are through rugged terrain, in inclement weather, uphill all the way….and lonely, even if they are not actually alone in the world.
But all are travelling…
Christina Rossetti‘s 1861 narrative poem Up-Hill speaks of the journey of life as a spiritual challenge, the road being the soul’s pathway towards heaven. It acknowledges the difficulties along the route but also offers the promise of rest, both for the body and that of life everlasting.
Up Hill
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.