- Why do you think Richard Rolle’s text was so popular?
- What are your first impressions of this text?
- How important is music to you in your spiritual life and has it ever warmed your heart?
- What does the phrase ‘being on fire with the love of God’ mean to you in this context?
- In what ways do you resonate with Richard Rolle’s description of his spiritual experience?
- How do understand the notion of ‘the elect’, namely that some are pre-ordained for salvation?
- What do you make of Rolle’s very experiential nature of knowing God and does it speak to our times?
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ONLINE BOOK GROUP
The Fire of Love by Richard Rolle (c.1300-1349)
Nine sessions over 11 weeks (between 6 May - 15 July)
Tuesday evenings, 20:00 - 21:00 GMT via Zoom
The Fire of Love presents the thoughts and feelings of the 14th-century hermit Richard Rolle, as he confronts the divine mystery.
His treatise is partly autobiographical and partly a practical guide to the devout life. Alone in the unutterable knowledge of his Creator, Rolle examines the path of spiritual progress with enthusiasm, faith and above all, warmth.
Rolle’s personal love of God and the sweetness and melody of his writings assure his place among the foremost pre-Reformation English mystics.
Join Canon Emma online via Zoom to reflect and discuss this profound exploration of the love of God.
Together, over nine sessions, we shall read and discuss the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.
We will be reading the Penguin Classic version, translated by Clifton Wolters. This book is out of print so we will upload the relevant chapters onto our website so you can read them ahead of the group meeting.
Each week the session will be recorded so if you miss a week you can catch up along with the ‘Questions to Ponder’.
Whether you can join us for just a few or all of the gatherings, you are most welcome to read together this celebration of Richard Rolle’s profound religious experiences and the insights he gained from them to take into your own spiritual life.
The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.
Booking essential - Book your space to be sent a Zoom link. It will be the same zoom link for each week.
Each week Canon Emma will begin with a brief introduction followed by discussion and then concluding with prayer.
Week One – 6 May: Prologue and Chapters 1 – 3: On Fire with Love - Session reading (please read prior) - No session recording due to technical difficulties
Week Two – 13 May: Chapters 4 – 8: God’s lovers - Session reading (please read prior) - Watch session recording
Week Three – 20 May: Chapters 9 – 12: The Holy Life - Session reading (please read prior)
NO SESSION - 27 May (Half Term)
Week Four – 3 June: Chapters 13- 17: The Solitary Life - Session reading (please read prior)
Week Five – 10 June: Chapters 18 – 25: The Penitential Life - Session reading (please read prior)
Week Six – 17 June: Chapters 26 – 28: The True and Perfect Lover - Session reading (please read prior)
Week Seven – 24 June: Chapters 29 – 32: Instructions for Beginners - Session reading (please read prior)
Week Eight – 1 July: Chapters 33 – 37: Spiritual Song and Rapture - Session reading (please read prior)
NO SESSION – 8 July
Week Nine – 15 July: Chapters 38 – 42: The Longing Desire - Session reading (please read prior)
ONLINE BOOK GROUP: The Fire of Love by Richard Rolle (c.1300-1349)
Session Recordings
Questions to ponder
Questions to ponder - Week One (Prologue and Chapters 1 – 3: On Fire with Love):
Questions to ponder - Week Two (Chapters 4 – 8: God’s lovers):
- Why do you make of Richard Rolle’s life, is his character reflected at all in his text?
- What are your first impressions of these chapters?
- What does the phrase ‘cut adrift from worldly vanity’ mean to you in this context?
- Why does Rolle use musical metaphors to express the mystical?
- How do we ‘know’ God in himself and as Trinity?
- In what ways do you resonate with Richard Rolle’s description of the moral life?
- What do you make of Rolle’s very judgmental writing?
- In what ways are his words relevant to today and in what ways are they not?
- How helpful is his teaching in your own spiritual journey and experience?
For future suggestions of spiritual books for the group to read please email Canon Emma at [email protected]
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