Short Reflection

The hound of heaven

As we begin to prepare for another Sunday, in which we will hear again the story of the calling of the boy Samuel, we can reflect on God’s call to us.

The hound of heaven

Our psalm speaks powerfully of God’s infinite love and knowledge, loving and knowing us individually, even before we speak.

Even before we take a step towards God, God is there to welcome us.

Francis Thompson’s poem ‘The Hound of Heaven‘ reflects similarly:

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.

Allen Taylor shows how the last few lines sum up the ill-advisedness of turning away from God:

‘Thou dravest love from thee
who dravest Me’
(You drove love away from yourself,
you who drove me away).

And yet, the penultimate lines give the context for this warning:

‘Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!

Deo gratias!