Month: August 2015

2015.08.21: the answer

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” – Mt 22:36

the answer has always been
love – the verb
and not love – the noun

love is not a noun
an idea : ideal : concept
something to inscribe on a scroll
and hang on a wall
love is not a feeling or sentiment
to espouse in an essay
or glorify in a poem

love is an action verb
it has a subject and an object
it implies an action by the subject
and a reaction by the object
it implies a transformation
where the object becomes the subject
it implies transactions
it implies multiple transactions
it implies a relationship
between the subject and object

yet
if the heart is hardened
if one does not love
it does not matter what the law is
or what the prophet proclaims
the mouth may speak the law
but the actions do not

the answer has always been
love – the action verb
hence the incarnation
the transfiguration
the crucifixion
the resurrection
these are all acts of love
not commandments chiseled
on stone tablets
to be lost to the ages

the answer is loving

2015.08:20: offering

When he saw her, he rent his garments and said, “Alas, daughter, you have struck me down and brought calamity upon me. For I have made a vow to the LORD and I cannot retract.” – Jgs 11:35

Then the king said to his attendants, “Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” – Mt 22:13

there is wailing and grinding of teeth
my heart cries out for you
my Lord and my God
the bride has rejected the groom
the chosen has rejected the gift
how many times have i rejected you

the chosen are a barbaric lot
we understand only one thing
sacrifice for offering
my heart cries out for you
my Lord and my God
there will be wailing and grinding of teeth

2015.08.19: exclusiveness

Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? – Mt 20:15

all good things flow from you
your providence knows no bound
yet we act as if there’s a limit
to your generosity

there’s a place for everyone
at your table
yet we act as if our place
is affected by the presence
of many others

little do we realize that
when we place our wants
above the need of others
when we exclude others
we are excluding you and
we are excluding ourselves
from the table

2015.08.18: signs

Gideon answered him, “If I find favor with you, give me a sign that you are speaking with me.” Jgs 6:17

Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?” – Mt 19:27

listen
oh you of little faith

I AM WHO AM

why must you always ask
for outward signs

be still
know that I am
with you always

if you must have a sign
look inward

sense
the river of compassion
rising in you

believe
it is the water of salvation
flowing from the Temple

I will remain with you
till the end

2015.08.17: bare minimum

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” – Mt 19:21

you know from the start
the love that was NOT in my heart
you saw that i did not love God
i feared his punishment instead
i just wanted to do the bare minimum
only enough to get me through the gates
yet you were so kind and patient
you did not rebuke me
you did not accuse me of my sin
you merely offered a correction
you asked me to give up my possessions
you were asking me to give up my idol
you were asking me instead to put God first
you knew that i would not do it
because i did not love God
you knew that my love of wealth
was greater than my fear of God
so i turned away sad
before i could see your tears
you understood too well
i just wanted to do the bare minimum