Calling

Ascending…

In the perpetual quest
So quietly pursued,
Rising up and reaching out.
Catching to the eye,
Inviting to the soul,
A symbol and a sign,
Whether seen by one or not.

Aspiring to something greater.
Ascending from the earth,
Leaving worms to worm it out.
So simple, yet so not.

Seeking to be found,
Finding what is sought,
Staying true, ever knowing,
Not so much is all that deep.
Not so much is lasting.

The earth is crying,
Tearing everywhere,
Calling out for something real.
Not just some trick or worse,
Not a passing trend or racket.

And authenticity, if it’s true,
Can’t be bought.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to God’s call. (Ephesians 1:18)

Reclaim…

Reading the responsorial psalm for Palm Sunday and the response, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 22:2) my mind is immediately filled with thoughts of the dear, innocent people of Ukraine whose lives have been taken, trampled upon, and upended, most recently over the course of the past several weeks, as well as for the dear, innocent people throughout the world who each day suffer such cruel and unjust treatment at the hands of others. It’s hard to comprehend how, with all the advances humankind has made in the past 2,000 years, the same hatred that slithered its way into the hearts and minds of those who sought to crucify Jesus, still exists, and that acts of such cruelty and utter disregard for humanity are still carried out.

It’s hard to understand, but perhaps that’s the point. It’s not understandable. What we are witnessing is the devastation that comes in situations where the heart of the matter—we are One—is lost; overruled by greed, hatred, lust for power, and indifference. Yet, at the same time, we are witnessing the heart of the matter—we are One—rising up, calling out… alive and well in the spirit of unity seen in those who stand up, reach out, sacrifice, and stand together.

The Passion of the Lord is about reclamation and answering that call.

Reflecting on the Passion of the Lord in the Gospel according to Luke (chapters 22-23), how do you bring your thoughts and feelings about all that is happening in the world today to God? Where do you meet Jesus? In what ways do you accompany Jesus in his Passion? And how do you draw inspiration and strength from the journey?

How Often…

How often devotion becomes tangled up, and chained, to this or that, but mostly misdirection.    

Sidetracked, razor-focused, tunneling toward the goal.

How often the depth and scope of perspective shrinks toward misperception.

Moving forward… if today… if tomorrow… wait, can’t wait.

Closer in…

Look at yesterday.

Listen to today.

Learn for tomorrow.

No sight to be seen, no sound to be heard… so many, so much lost in the shadows of “light.”

Closing in…

Widen. Stop, human striving toward human understanding of perfection… imperfection!

Yes, be committed… be faithful, but underneath it all, hold onto God—justice for all.

Keep it real, keep it honest.

Be sure to know, check and see, from minute to hour, from day to year, to what, and to whom, allegiance is professing.

How often what we have is greater than nothing, and everything else that is more, is empty.

And, remember, in the end and in between, bow to no one, but bend to the One, and only One, whose Essence is within us.

How often the lost become truly found, while the “found” become lost in notions from afar.

A Banner Time…

A few weeks ago, my daughter had an assignment in a design class to create a folder using images with which one might identify. Between discussion around the project and looking through some photographs from a recent trip to Walden Pond and the surrounding area, memories of creating banners and posters at various points throughout my childhood and in the ensuing years come to mind. One of the earliest memories is as a young Sunday school student finding joy in seeing all the banners made by different classrooms of students. The banners made with colors and using images that each class collectively picked were hung up around the church.  They were simply displayed, in the spirit of sharing so that everyone was free to receive them in whatever way they might.

In chapter 17 of the Book of Exodus, after Amelek has been defeated, it is written that Moses created an altar to the Lord, naming it Yahweh-nissi or “The Lord is my banner.” (Exodus 17:15). Victory had been achieved through the Lord, with Moses holding the staff of God raised up in his hands.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people are provided for; their needs do not go unmet. In times of trouble, it is never God who strays, but rather the people. There is example upon example of those who persist in identifying with, and embracing, the Lord as their banner. Ultimately, though different people and various kinds of situations are involved, each one always seems to arrive at a place where all things come together, reminding them, reminding us, that God is greater than any one story or situation could capture. Also calling us to remember, faithfulness to God is achieved in countless ways, even when others do not, or cannot, see it.

Given the task of creating a banner to be raised up and shared, what would it look like? In what ways would God be reflected in it? In my words and actions, how do I pay homage to who I am, who I was created to be, and “Take up the banner of the Lord! (Ex 17:16)”?

Thoreau

Beloved:
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,
because you know from whom you learned it,
and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. – 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

At the End of the Day…

The other day as I was in the car waiting to pick up one of my children, I was looking toward the top of the school steps as a sea of students flowed out of the building. As I was watching for my child, suddenly there was a knock on the car window. Startled at this unexpected knock, I turned toward the window to see my child’s face. While I was looking in one direction, my son had appeared from another direction. This was something new and completely unanticipated.

When the two disciples on the road to Emmaus encountered Jesus, they had no idea who he was (Luke 24:13-35). They were not expecting him and could not have anticipated that Jesus who had been crucified would appear to them. They were with him for quite some time and it was not until after he broke the bread and said the blessing that they were able to recognize him. It was as if in that moment everything came together and they turned their heads to see what was in front of them as they journeyed.

When they return to Jerusalem to tell the others about Jesus appearing to them, they learn that Jesus has appeared to Peter too. Then as they are recounting what happened to them along the way to Emmaus, Jesus appears again (Luke 24:36-49). Each time Jesus appears, it is unanticipated and unexpected. It is also in response to hearts that are troubled… hearts that are longing… hearts that believe and that are trying to find or to put the pieces back together… striving to continue to live out of a relationship that was, that is, like no other.

In all these cases where Jesus appears, it seems the person(s) to whom he appears is letting their guard down and openly thinking, speaking or trying to understand their experience. They are remembering and recounting what transpired. They are looking at where Jesus was, wondering about what happened and where he is now. They are also watching, waiting, and listening. In doing so, wherever they are, Jesus is suddenly with them and making himself known.

On the road to Emmaus, the two disciples recalled with each step all that transpired. Jesus joined them and their hearts were burning as he helped them to take an intimate look, to remember, and to see, perhaps with new eyes. The Lord also appears to others, including us, helping us to remember or to reclaim and to go forward or to wait… helping us to know more surely, more confidently, who we are and how to be.

As we go through life, God is with us from before our first steps, and all the way through. Sometimes we need to rest, and allow the Lord to help us recount and remember.

Our soul waits for the Lord,
Who is our help and shield.
For in the Lord our hearts rejoice;
In God’s holy name we trust.
May your mercy, Lord, be upon us;
As we put our hope in you. – Psalm 33:20-22

Path

Better Than Gold…

This week the winter Olympics being held in South Korea began. As a child, I remember the first time I watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on television. I found it exciting to see people representing so many countries from around the world in their various styles of clothing, together in one place. I also recall being struck by the way the flame spread around and across the cauldron when the Olympic torch was held to it. The flame burned with greater intensity and was there for all to see.

There is a beautiful spirit that comes with the Olympic Games. While there is competition and sides to choose and for which to route, it is interesting to see the ways in which a shared goal, interest, or experience can bring people together and enliven them, no matter how far apart they may be, whether geographically or otherwise. Oftentimes, it shines through brighter than any medals that might be won or any honor that might be awarded.

The passion and intensity of the Olympic Games give us a view of what is possible when seeking and striving to honor and celebrate the use of God-given talent and calling. Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you’re put on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.” He also said, “I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help I shall succeed.” Vincent Van Gogh, completed over 900 paintings and while they are highly valued pieces today, during his lifetime (1853-1890), it is believed that he sold only one, a painting done in 1888.

He did succeed, and although perhaps in the eyes of humankind it was not during his earthly life, the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh and the spirit in which they were done, is inspiring. They live on, touching countless hearts and souls around the world. Vincent Van Gogh carried the torch and protected the flame, with passion, by recognizing his gifts, staying dedicated to being who he was created to be, and trusting that, that was all he needed to do. Perhaps this is part of what draws so many to some level of interest in the Olympic Games. They touch upon the flame within each of us, reminding us of how good it is when we embrace the Spirit and use the gifts we have been given.

TheRedVineyard_VincentVanGogh1