Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” – Lk 6:2
the measure with which we use
to measure others will be the
measure by which we will be
measured and cut. if it’s too
small and narrow for others
will it be big enough for us?
will it be big enough for God?
Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” – Lk 5:34-35
mindless mouthing of rote prayers
and following regimens of fasting
never brought me closer to God
only in accepting my own powerlessness
and abandoning myself to his mercy
did i find myself in his presence
everyday with him is a feast
everyday without him is fasting
and wailing and grinding of teeth
no amount of praying and fasting
or blood sacrifices or bunt offerings
will reconcile us to God
still the choice is always ours
to accept his love and feast in his presence
or assail heaven will fasting and praying
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.” – Lk 5:10
i fish the sea
that’s all i know
i know these currents
i know the ebbs and tides
i know the habits of the fish
i know their rhythms and cycles
i know when to cast and when to not
yet you tell us to cast where we have failed
i hope you didn’t see my doubts
even when i said i would do as you ask
yet we hauled in more than we’ve ever caught
and the nets held and didn’t break
how could this be
surely you are the Messiah of John the Baptizer
He of whom my brother speaks
but woe on me if you are the Messiah
you would know what was in my heart
you would know the life i led
you would know the sinner that i really am
i am not worthy to be in your company
yet what i see in your eyes is
not condemnation but compassion
not judgment but acceptance
what i feel in my heart is not fear but joy
you are a better fisher of men than i of fish
yet you do not wish to ensnare and enslave
you caught me and set me free
my business is no longer of this world
i will risk everything for you
i will follow you from death into life
I, like a green olive tree flourishing in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. – Ps 52:10
not in the words of the preacher
not in the promises of the officials
not in the power of the wealthy
not in the influence of the celebrities
not in the knowledge of the scientists
not in the truth of the philosophers
not in the wisdom of the theologians
not in the feats of the heroes
not in the works of the saints
not in my own works
not in my own sacrifices
not in anything on my own merit
my trust is only in the mercy of God
and his boundless love flowing
from the wounds in his body
For all of you are children of the light and children of the day… Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do. – 1 Thes 5:5,11
sometimes we’re flowers
sometimes we’re butterflies
always we’re children of the light
sometimes we’re listeners
sometimes we’re storytellers
always we’re children of God
like seeds our stories have taken root in each other
where ever we go – no matter how far away we fly
our stories will always go with each other
we remain in community
one with Him
who created all
Longing For Water 