Jay Panini has been for many years Professor of English and Creative Writing at Middlebury College in Vermont. He describes a melancholy time in his early life as a graduate student at Oxford University in England. After a day of tedious research at a library in London, he stepped off the train and ran into W. H. Auden (1907-1973), was an accomplished poet and author. Auden had been raised in his early years as an Anglican, turned to atheism in his 20s, and embraced the Christian faith after reading Kierkegaard, an accomplished intellectual who was also a Christian.Auden could sense that Jay was feeling miserable. Auden invited him to his cottage and said he needed a stiff drink. During their conversation, Panini remembers Auden offering him two words of advice. First, “There is no such thing as time.” He explained that in our race against time, only what is eternal will last. Jay listened, somewhat confused, and then asked, “So, what’s the second thing?” “Ah, that,” he said. “Rest in God, dear boy. Rest in God.” Auden invited him to join him at the college chapel for Sunday worship, and Jay accepted.
He’s been going ever since.
Auden’s advice, “Rest in God,” recalls Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt.28).
Today’s prayer by Auden is a portion of the anthem, “The Twelve: An Anthem for the Feast of any Apostle”:
W. H. Auden
O Lord, my God,
Though I forsake Thee,
Forsake me not,
But guide me as I walk
Through the Valley of Mistrust
And let the cry of my disbelieving absence,
Come unto Thee,
Thou who declared unto Moses,
I SHALL BE THERE.
Jay Panini, “What W. H. Auden Taught Me About Easter, God and Surviving COVID-19”
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.