Black holes and Hawking radiation…hymn

Stephen Hawking – Reith Lectures – Black Holes

Black holes and Hawking radiation…

I try to explore faith in relation to events and discoveries. After listening to Stephen Hawking I wrote the following text which was sung in Wavertree, Liverpool o 6th February 2016

A spinning vat of data

a hidden vault in time,

no solace in this quantum,

an end to singing rhyme?

The information gathered

in each black hole in space

we cannot grasp or fathom:

like mystic freedom’s grace.

Its particles are virtual,

are neither seen nor heard,

yet somehow radiation

escapes - that seems absurd:

a parallel dimension

that leaks across the void

upsetting mathematics,

those we had once employed.

And is this radiation

like spirit that we sense

the edge of comprehension

felt in our present tense

discerned by those who fathom

the depth of loving grace,

immersing us in freedom,

yet outside time and space?

© Andrew Pratt 2/2/2016

Tune: CRUGER

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SYRIA

Thinking of Syria; At its core, the teachings of Jesus call us to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve the needy.

Hymn for harmony in a world of many faiths

1 Faith works, but how can love be shown
within a world of complex care?
Between each nation, in each town
how can God's love be focused there?

2 A different language, creed or dress
can build a wall and damage life;
and ignorance or fear of faith
could break our trust and fire our strife.

3 How can we legislate for peace,
or work for human harmony,
within a world of disparate needs,
maintaining our integrity.

4 God give us confidence to see
your face in people all around
that, in a world of many faiths,
your seeds of love may find rich ground.

Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© Andrew Pratt 20/4/2006
8 8 8 8
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Paris attacks - hymn

At least 18 people have been killed in several shootings in the French capital, Paris, as well as explosions near the Stade de France (BBC) 2254hrs 13/11/2015

This hymn written earlier this year has, sadly, been adapted in the light of today's attacks.

Hopeless to help in this violence, this crisis,

here in the focus of bloodshed and fear,

common humanity binds us together,

love at the centre, not hatred's veneer.

History repeats in this city of beauty,

here amid elegance: danger’s embrace.

Love is our purpose when those filled with hatred

break down relationships, nullify grace.

Give me your hand, then let peace grow between us,

let us rebuild what distrust might destroy.

Now in this moment we'll make a commitment,

love is the weapon we'll use and deploy.

© Andrew Pratt 20/1/2015 & 18/1/2015 & 13/11/2015
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Mohammed Emwazi (AKA Jihadi John)

In the light of the suspected death of Mohammed Emwazi (AKA Jihadi  John), the following hymn originally written at the time of the death of Osama bin Laden might be pertintent - see below or follow the link
http://hymnsandbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/osama-bin-ladin-hymn.html

REMEMBRANCE & PEACE - A HYMN - How do we heal the horror

How do we heal the horror:

the aftermath of war,

the sharpened, hurtful questions

we wonder what it’s for;

the tears that feed each memory,

the pain, the hurt, the fear,

the images that haunt each mind,

that always seem so near?

How can we unlearn hatred

that undermines our peace,

that hurts beyond our healing,

God, will it never cease?

How can we sound the purpose

that severs limb from limb,

that escalates the tension,

that sounds a war-like hymn?

No God can end this murder,

this futile loss of life,

this endless mutilation,

this pointless human strife,

for every generation

must learn to love again,

to mine the seam of healing,

to end this ceaseless pain.

© Andrew Pratt 7/11/2015

Tune: AURELIA

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Migration continues to exercise the politicians and people of the UK and Europe - a hymn

Sometimes the footfall seems incessant,

a challenge to our selfish greed,

how can we clothe and house such numbers,

our fear wells up to veil their need.

Yet every living person coming

should have a share of all our wealth,

but dare we give without a limit

to meet another’s need of health?

This is the challenge set before us,

to greet each stranger as a friend,

to share God’s love, that knows no limits,

until all fear and hunger ends.

© Andrew Pratt 4/9/3015

Tune: ST CLEMENT
Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.