Category: lectio divina

2015.07.03: faith and reason

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” – Jn 20:29

some will never believe
that life evolved over millions of years
to its present day forms
no matter how many fossils are dug up
or how large the bones of the creatures
that dominated the earth so many years ago

some will never believe
everything visible and invisible
all the complexities
that science still can’t explain
came from one big bang

some will never believe
that life is more than what happens before we die
that the memories and experiences
end at the doorway of death
that concepts like truth, love, mercy and justice
matters not when the funeral bell tolls

some will never believe
that death is only a gateway not the end all
that a man died and rose again
that he came to show us the way
the truth and the life

some are believers
some are doubters
some believe in faith
some believe in reason
i believe in both
faith and reason
two wings on the same bird
a flight of transcendence

2015.07.02: sacrifice of the perfect

“My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.” Then the two walked on together. – Gen 22:8

all that you ever needed
a simple acknowledgement
that what we did was wrong
you would have been happy
if we had just taking ownership
for our thoughts and deeds
instead we blame others for tempting us
we blame you for our brokenness
then we seek to salve our pride
by offering sacrifices as bribes
as if we could barter for grace
yet you remained patient throughout
speaking to us in our own language
you offered up your only son
the only sacrifice sufficient
to bridge the chasm
between mercy and love
all that you ever needed
a repentant heart
all that you ever wanted
an awareness of your love
poured into creation

07.01.2015: rejected by the world

They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything,
including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district. – Mt 8:32-34

he was rejected by the swine
he was rejected the swine herders
he will be rejected by the swine abstainers
the stone was rejected by the builder
will you reject him?

PS:
i confess that
i have rejected hin
and i admit that
i will reject him again
because he is the light
that reveals my shadow
he is the truth
that belies my falsehood
but he is also the love
that embraces my being
he is the way
that leads to life

2015.06.30: within the calm

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”. Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. – Mt 8:26

as captain of the ship
i can’t control the storms
but i can find the calm
within the calm i can decide
the best course of action
to avoid the storm if i can
to outrun the storm if i can’t
to confront the storm if i must
always placing my trust
within the calm

to live or die is not the question
that has already been decided
how to navigate a course
through the sea of life
is the question: so
live with abundant joy
love with self abandon
die with unfaltering faith
hope always

no matter the storm
no matter the gale
no matter the undercurrent
no matter the downpour
he is in the calm
he is the calm
he is