Month: July 2015

2015.07.31: divine vision

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. – Mt 13:57-58

forgive me for each time
i did not see a prophet
trying to show me the truth
no matter his origin

forgive me for each time
i did not allow a priest
to perform any miracle
no matter her appearance

forgive me for each time
i did not offer a king
the treasures given in my care
no matter his condition

grant me the eyes of a child
to see anew your wonders
hidden in ordinary things
let me see the Jesus in the mirror

2015.07.29: a life not my own

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – Jn 11:25-26

ever since i found you again
my life is no longer my own
the job that i work at all day
is not of my choosing but a gift
the work of your hand
the car that i drive to work
is not of my choosing but a gift
more work of your hand
the clothes that i wear to work
is not of my choosing but more gifts
the work of your helping hands

amen, amen i say to you
i believe you are the resurrection
it matters not whether i live or die
this life i live is not my own
the only thing that matters is
that i choose to accept your love
i lay my old self to sleep each night
and each morning a new self awakes
with more of your love and your essence
i rise to live joyfully
this life of yours and mine

2015.07.28: Wisdom

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. – Mt 13:41

like a persistent siren
you whisper from the deep
soft but insistent
you demand detachment
from all things disorderly
little by little you peel back
the layers of worldly trappings
revealing the newborn child
as perfect as the day of creation
then the harvesters come
to remove all implants not belonging
along with all who won’t let go

2015.07.27: where oh where?

Reflection for Cycle B readings of Monday of 17th Week of Ordinary Time:
Reading 1 Ex 32:15-24, 30-34
Gospel Mt 13:31-35

where oh where are you, Lord?
2000 years after your appearance
the mustard seeds aren’t planted
the birds of the field wander far
the yeast is kept from the flour
we eat unleavened journey bread
and are still wandering in the desert
far from home we worship gold and war

are we in the time of Moses?
are we in the time of Jesus?

where oh where are you, Lord?
your shepherds have scattered your flock
dividing them among themselves
like the soldiers casting for your garments
even the Church have many princes
and they speak against the chosen one
they weigh truth vs love and justice vs mercy
as if it’s a matter of either or and not both

shine your face again on us oh Lord
soften the soil of our hearts for planting
turn our prayers into the yeast of compassion
let us be the power of your love