Doug Chaplin
@dougchaplin.bsky.social
I’m a priest and trainer. I'm into photography, culture, liturgy and faith (ancient and modern) Not entirely restraining my inner geek.
Today I wanted an illustration for a talk on Genesis 2, and not finding a CC image of the sort I wanted, decided to give @Photoshop's AI features a spin. This was the result I went for.
January 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Today I wanted an illustration for a talk on Genesis 2, and not finding a CC image of the sort I wanted, decided to give @Photoshop's AI features a spin. This was the result I went for.
New Year’s Day gives #Worcester a ghost town vibe
January 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
New Year’s Day gives #Worcester a ghost town vibe
A certain irony in the “I’m a clean bus” message!
December 20, 2024 at 9:18 AM
A certain irony in the “I’m a clean bus” message!
Having watched Conclave today, I have to say that I found its ending as implausible as the book's. Indeed, possibly more so because of even less build up for Benitez in the film. That said, it's brilliantly acted, sumptuously dressed and staged, beautifully photographed.
December 13, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Having watched Conclave today, I have to say that I found its ending as implausible as the book's. Indeed, possibly more so because of even less build up for Benitez in the film. That said, it's brilliantly acted, sumptuously dressed and staged, beautifully photographed.
The 80s #Photography exhibition at Tate Britain is well worth seeing.
December 2, 2024 at 4:49 PM
The 80s #Photography exhibition at Tate Britain is well worth seeing.
Whenever the feast of St Cyril of Alexandria rolls round, I hear in my head the voice of the nun who taught me patristics: "Cyril. Humph. Now Cyril was a thug."
June 27, 2024 at 7:05 AM
Whenever the feast of St Cyril of Alexandria rolls round, I hear in my head the voice of the nun who taught me patristics: "Cyril. Humph. Now Cyril was a thug."
Only got round to processing the photos today, but I'm very pleased I got down to London on Thursday to see this while it was still on display. Its sheer size adds to the impact – and I find it a fascinating portrayal.
June 15, 2024 at 8:42 PM
Only got round to processing the photos today, but I'm very pleased I got down to London on Thursday to see this while it was still on display. Its sheer size adds to the impact – and I find it a fascinating portrayal.
Happy Christmas. By way of greeting here's my last haiku on the heart of the Christmas message, with a photo of the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Immortal, immense,
now folded in flesh, God tastes
her milk – and giggles
Immortal, immense,
now folded in flesh, God tastes
her milk – and giggles
December 25, 2023 at 9:22 AM
Happy Christmas. By way of greeting here's my last haiku on the heart of the Christmas message, with a photo of the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Immortal, immense,
now folded in flesh, God tastes
her milk – and giggles
Immortal, immense,
now folded in flesh, God tastes
her milk – and giggles
This is the third occasion Luke 1.26-38 (The Annunciation) has come up this Advent, rather testing my creativity. Here's my third Advent calendar haiku.
This is her body,
this her blood, priestly she tends
God’s holiest shrine.
This is her body,
this her blood, priestly she tends
God’s holiest shrine.
December 24, 2023 at 8:23 AM
This is the third occasion Luke 1.26-38 (The Annunciation) has come up this Advent, rather testing my creativity. Here's my third Advent calendar haiku.
This is her body,
this her blood, priestly she tends
God’s holiest shrine.
This is her body,
this her blood, priestly she tends
God’s holiest shrine.
Today's Advent calendar haiku responds to Luke's story of the birth of St John the Baptist (Luke 1.57-66)
Gift of God, this child
will give voice as rainfall that
waters the desert.
Gift of God, this child
will give voice as rainfall that
waters the desert.
December 23, 2023 at 8:29 AM
Today's Advent calendar haiku responds to Luke's story of the birth of St John the Baptist (Luke 1.57-66)
Gift of God, this child
will give voice as rainfall that
waters the desert.
Gift of God, this child
will give voice as rainfall that
waters the desert.
Today's gospel is the Magnificat, Luke 1.46-56. My Advent calendar haiku is:
She expecting a
word exceeding promise, gives
voice for the voiceless.
She expecting a
word exceeding promise, gives
voice for the voiceless.
December 22, 2023 at 8:09 AM
Today's gospel is the Magnificat, Luke 1.46-56. My Advent calendar haiku is:
She expecting a
word exceeding promise, gives
voice for the voiceless.
She expecting a
word exceeding promise, gives
voice for the voiceless.
Today's gospel is the story of the visitation, Luke 1.39-45. My Advent calendar haiku is:
Feeling the joy jump
she praises the mother of
God met bump to bump.
Feeling the joy jump
she praises the mother of
God met bump to bump.
December 21, 2023 at 8:17 AM
Today's gospel is the story of the visitation, Luke 1.39-45. My Advent calendar haiku is:
Feeling the joy jump
she praises the mother of
God met bump to bump.
Feeling the joy jump
she praises the mother of
God met bump to bump.
Today's Advent calendar haiku is responding to Luke 1.26-38. This is the second of three days with this gospel at Mass, and I think my first and third are the more adventurous ones.
Impossible news,
that for the one taking flesh
all is possible.
Impossible news,
that for the one taking flesh
all is possible.
December 20, 2023 at 10:05 AM
Today's Advent calendar haiku is responding to Luke 1.26-38. This is the second of three days with this gospel at Mass, and I think my first and third are the more adventurous ones.
Impossible news,
that for the one taking flesh
all is possible.
Impossible news,
that for the one taking flesh
all is possible.
Today's Advent calendar haiku responds to Luke 1.5-25.
Angel-messaged, mute,
tongue taken, he must wait wife’s
word of wild voice born.
Angel-messaged, mute,
tongue taken, he must wait wife’s
word of wild voice born.
December 19, 2023 at 8:10 AM
Today's Advent calendar haiku responds to Luke 1.5-25.
Angel-messaged, mute,
tongue taken, he must wait wife’s
word of wild voice born.
Angel-messaged, mute,
tongue taken, he must wait wife’s
word of wild voice born.
Today's Advent Calendar haiku is based on Matthew 1.18-24
In the dark, doubting
his betrothed, he discovers
in dream God with them.
In the dark, doubting
his betrothed, he discovers
in dream God with them.
December 18, 2023 at 8:13 AM
Today's Advent Calendar haiku is based on Matthew 1.18-24
In the dark, doubting
his betrothed, he discovers
in dream God with them.
In the dark, doubting
his betrothed, he discovers
in dream God with them.
The third week of my Advent calendar haiku series begins. Today's gospel is John 1.6-8, 19-28.
A voice in the void
summons hope in the darkness:
Son’s light is dawning.
A voice in the void
summons hope in the darkness:
Son’s light is dawning.
December 17, 2023 at 8:15 AM
The third week of my Advent calendar haiku series begins. Today's gospel is John 1.6-8, 19-28.
A voice in the void
summons hope in the darkness:
Son’s light is dawning.
A voice in the void
summons hope in the darkness:
Son’s light is dawning.
At the end of the second week of Advent, today's Advent calendar haiku responding to Matt 17:10-13.
Not reading the times,
they mistake the messenger
and miss the meaning.
Not reading the times,
they mistake the messenger
and miss the meaning.
December 16, 2023 at 8:28 AM
At the end of the second week of Advent, today's Advent calendar haiku responding to Matt 17:10-13.
Not reading the times,
they mistake the messenger
and miss the meaning.
Not reading the times,
they mistake the messenger
and miss the meaning.
On this Friday in the second week of Advent my Advent calendar haiku responds to Matt 11:16-19.
Rejecting each choice,
they raise the drawbridge to hope,
hold fast to habit.
Rejecting each choice,
they raise the drawbridge to hope,
hold fast to habit.
December 15, 2023 at 8:59 AM
On this Friday in the second week of Advent my Advent calendar haiku responds to Matt 11:16-19.
Rejecting each choice,
they raise the drawbridge to hope,
hold fast to habit.
Rejecting each choice,
they raise the drawbridge to hope,
hold fast to habit.
Today's Advent calendar haiku is based on Luke 14:25-33, as we celebrate St John of the Cross:
Count the cost of faith:
the way of light may lead you
through unsought darkness.
Count the cost of faith:
the way of light may lead you
through unsought darkness.
December 14, 2023 at 7:46 AM
Today's Advent calendar haiku is based on Luke 14:25-33, as we celebrate St John of the Cross:
Count the cost of faith:
the way of light may lead you
through unsought darkness.
Count the cost of faith:
the way of light may lead you
through unsought darkness.
A choice of gospels for today's Advent calendar haiku but I went with Matt 25:1-13 for St Lucy.
Trim wick, tend light to
wait, for the feast time’s coming
when unknowns are known.
Trim wick, tend light to
wait, for the feast time’s coming
when unknowns are known.
December 13, 2023 at 9:58 AM
A choice of gospels for today's Advent calendar haiku but I went with Matt 25:1-13 for St Lucy.
Trim wick, tend light to
wait, for the feast time’s coming
when unknowns are known.
Trim wick, tend light to
wait, for the feast time’s coming
when unknowns are known.
Today's Advent calendar haiku is based on Matt 18:12-14.
The wolf-safe sheep baa
deep displeasure at time spent
shepherding the stray.
The wolf-safe sheep baa
deep displeasure at time spent
shepherding the stray.
December 12, 2023 at 8:44 AM
Today's Advent calendar haiku is based on Matt 18:12-14.
The wolf-safe sheep baa
deep displeasure at time spent
shepherding the stray.
The wolf-safe sheep baa
deep displeasure at time spent
shepherding the stray.
Today's Advent Calendar haiku responds to Luke 5:17-26
Stiffened in death’s clamp,
sin-squeezed, soul-cramped, we await
the limb-loosing Lord.
Stiffened in death’s clamp,
sin-squeezed, soul-cramped, we await
the limb-loosing Lord.
December 11, 2023 at 8:14 AM
Today's Advent Calendar haiku responds to Luke 5:17-26
Stiffened in death’s clamp,
sin-squeezed, soul-cramped, we await
the limb-loosing Lord.
Stiffened in death’s clamp,
sin-squeezed, soul-cramped, we await
the limb-loosing Lord.
And so we start the second week of Advent. Here's my Advent calendar haiku reflecting on Mark 1:1-8.
Here the way maker
comes watering the desert,
waking dust to life.
Here the way maker
comes watering the desert,
waking dust to life.
December 10, 2023 at 9:09 AM
And so we start the second week of Advent. Here's my Advent calendar haiku reflecting on Mark 1:1-8.
Here the way maker
comes watering the desert,
waking dust to life.
Here the way maker
comes watering the desert,
waking dust to life.
Today I reach the end of the first week of my Advent calendar. Today's haiku responds to Matthew 9.35 – 10.1, 5, 6-8
To bring harvest home,
himself he gives, healing sends,
wholly enfolds all.
To bring harvest home,
himself he gives, healing sends,
wholly enfolds all.
December 9, 2023 at 8:49 AM
Today I reach the end of the first week of my Advent calendar. Today's haiku responds to Matthew 9.35 – 10.1, 5, 6-8
To bring harvest home,
himself he gives, healing sends,
wholly enfolds all.
To bring harvest home,
himself he gives, healing sends,
wholly enfolds all.