10 August

Dear Friends,

Over the North porch of Chartres cathedral is a relief sculpture of rare beauty carved way back in the fourteenth century. It shows Adam and Christ meeting- Adam the fallen and Christ who raises the fallen. Adam kneels at Christ’s feet. His head rests on the Saviour’s knee. Christ supports Adam’s head with his right hand and caresses it with his left. The Redeemer’s face is solemn but kind. 

It is astonishing that a carving in stone can express such tenderness. But then the whole work of Christ in redeeming us is astonishing, utterly astonishing.

Your friend and locum minister,

Denis