MONDAY

I had lunch with someone who intends to beat the world speed record for motoring round the world. I think his greater achievement was to sail an old yacht – Lively Lady – very slowly around the world. He told me it was really drifting round the world. What is wrong with drifting on ocean currents? It must be the most extraordinary physical and spiritual experience to be powered slowly at walking pace around the world by wind. What a test of patience and stolid endurance.

TUESDAY

I was speaking against visiting on all dogs the sins of the vicious ones. More regulation, more problems. Everyone remarks on the placid temperament of our William: he gives only calmness, loyalty, and love. How can he too not have a soul?

WEDNESDAY

The chapel at the House of Commons was crowded. Why do we concentrate on the irritating person in front rather than the mystery at the front of the church? Human nature or the devil? I doubt the existence of a malign and scheming devil. There is enough devilry already within human nature at every level to make the existence of a real devil unnecessary.

THURSDAY

We had a debate on Army Reserves. With the shortage of monastic vocations will we come to rely more and more on oblates that are part of a monastic community but do not make a vow of stability for life? I think that may be the way forward.

FRIDAY

We went to Jim Broadbent’s film, Le Weekend. He makes a long speech on the hopelessness of his life – forced early retirement, no money, wife going off.

Naturally no mention of a fall back on spirituality or religious life in any shape or form. Is this why society is so depressed?

SATURDAY

I was in the Abbey church at dusk after Vespers. The light was diffuse and subtle. I had one of those fleeting moments of a shift in consciousness of a complete belief and acceptance. Belief to me is not a settled absolute yes or no, it is an acquired and growing experience, an accumulation of small moments, each of them valuable in themselves.

SUNDAY

The Gospel reading today is focussed on the power of prayer. We were told rightly that there is no one good way of prayer. Going through the motions? Better to go through the motions than not try at all. Lectio Divina great, but if it doesn’t work, move on. “Pray as you can, not as you can’t.”