2015.09.06: a river flows through us

then Jesus looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) – Mk 7:34

Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water. – Is 35:6-7

a river flows through us
whether or not we know it
whether or not we believe it
whether or not we acknowledge it

the water for which we thirst
resides in a wellspring deep within
waiting to be opened and called forth
even in the midst of the desert

none of us will be renewed
until we hear the word “Ephphatha!”
and allow our souls be opened
so the streams will burst forth

where burning sands once lay waste
water will spring forth on its way
to the all encompassing One Water
as it was created to be

a river flows through us
open our ears to hear the source of life
open our hearts to be reborn in its water
open our mouths to let the river praise

2015.09.03: feasting or fasting

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

2015.09.03: fishermen

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

2015.09.02: trust

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