Out of place,
But right at home,
Very much at ease.
More than content
To simply be,
Like flowers will
And often do.
Accepting grace,
Blooming faith.
Paying homage,
Chosen, yes, chosen,
And gently put in place.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Do you recall being in a group of people, partaking in an experience, whatever it might have been, and having anything that might normally serve to create a wedge or cause a disturbance, fade away? What was that like?
Oftentimes, when such experiences occur, it’s because there is a shared focus and desire that outweighs all the things that might otherwise interfere and distract individuals away from being influenced by the Spirit that moves them toward embracing what is mutually beneficial to all. In other words, it happens when one lets go and detaches from being driven by what is more immediately self-serving or earthly. This then leaves room to be led by the Spirit.
In chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostle’s, it is written,
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
“Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?” – Acts 2:4-8
This is an example of the Spirit breaking down barriers that would seek to prevent the Good News from being shared, lived, and spread across the face of the earth. Reading on, we learn more about the many different places from which the crowd came. Undoubtedly, they also had different ideas on how to live and how to go about doing things.
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.” – Acts 2:9-11
What’s it like to contemplate the way that the Spirit enabled the disciples of Jesus, who were, for all intents and purposes, more alike than not, to communicate with those who spoke different languages and were foreign to them?
Notice how the Spirit enabled the disciples, and further defined the notion of discipleship, to become more diverse while at the same time bringing about greater unity. Also consider the posture of the disciples. In chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles, we read that they, “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer” and we see that play out in the choice of Matthias to join them (v. 15-26) as well as in their choices going forward. Again, they are united in prayer with hearts that desire to be led to “do the right thing” (what is good and just) more so than choosing based on personal preference or bias. This is what happens when there is a genuine striving to do what is best.
On this Pentecost, in a world that continues to face such great division and strife, the words of Thomas Merton seem so appropriate, “My dear brothers and sisters, we are already one. But we imagine we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity. What we have to be, is what we are.”
Take some time to meditate on these words. Pray with what comes to mind and how your heart is moved. What does the Spirit want to show you?
When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. – Ps 104:30
There were dancers,
Dancing as they do,
Faces aglow with joy,
Balleting here and there,
Everywhere…
There were singers,
Singing as they do,
Reaching notes both high and low,
In every piece and in each act,
Throughout…
There were actors,
Acting as they do,
More than lines upon a page,
Evoking thought and feeling,
From within…
Beautiful to the eye
And moving to the soul,
Through their feet they worshipped,
Through their words they prayed,
Great strength exercised with ease.
With movements so fluid,
Gentle and precise,
Everywhere and throughout,
From within, there is no doubt,
You were there.
I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. – Ps 27:13
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)
The trees, becoming more life like
As they continue to grow deeper
Into their shades of spring,
Fill the air with hope,
And instill a sense of trust.
Not a sign of exactly what’s to come,
But still a sign that’s telling.
The sun will rise,
As it always does.
The sun will set,
As it always does.
Everything else?
All that lies between?
That will come and go,
As it always does.
Leaving behind the hope of days to come,
And the soul keeping faith,
Despite not knowing,
As it always does.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (Jn 14:1).
Upon first sight a threat,
A battle to be had,
A thing to put to rest.
Yet, drawing closer
A picture to behold.
Golden, like the rule,
If only it were practiced.
So many points to reflect upon,
Held together at the center
And spreading out,
As if to say,
I have so many ways,
I am full of life,
But still have room to grow.
Here for now, as if forever, as I am,
But please know better,
All is ever changing.
Working toward the air,
Poetry in motion,
To be blown about,
And all around,
Making waves,
Albeit gentle,
From one life to another.
Eternal presence,
Dwelling for the masses,
Extending hope
And willing for your freedom.
Not to be distorted,
Or held hostage for your needs,
But rather carried with great mercy,
And my love,
The example of compassion.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. – Psalm 23:1
Today, April 22, 2023, as we head into the 3rd Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Earth Day. The earth has been around for over 4.5 billion years, and Earth day? It has been celebrated for 53 years—since 1970.
Despite the comparatively young age of Earth Day, an appreciation for, and the call to honor and preserve the beauty of our planet, nature, and all creation has been ongoing for a far greater time than has been documented. In fact, it’s part of the plan, and path of life. Yet, as with many things, it can become a battle ground… a place for sides to be formed, to rise up against each other, to hold firm, to lose sight, and to stall any attempts at dialogue and resolution, never mind love and mercy.
In the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (Acts 2:14, 22-23; Ps 16:1-2,5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; 1 Pt 1:17-21, and Lk 24:13-35), there lies an invitation to connect more strongly with the path of life as being bigger, and sweeping more broadly, than the circle in which any one individual, or group, travels. So often when we think we know, we don’t. The issues at hand are always more than what we can see, and the way that any one individual may or may not be affected, cannot be used to color the experience of all of humankind. How, after all, is it possible to be open to Divinity, without being open to possibilities?
Turning to Scripture, it seems that those who sought to crucify Jesus, were so sure that he was a threat. It’s clear that His ways were not in line enough with theirs and one can imagine how that might jeopardize their sense of identity, authority, power, and control. We can see how their ability to move in ways that embraced and imbued love, truth, justice, and mercy was hindered by their inability to recognize that they were seeing and acting through their own, limited understanding. There was no room for God on the path to which they were so deeply committed, and this led to them receiving and reacting in fear and seeking even greater control, rather than responding with love.
On the other hand, Jesus, who reacted with love and was inspired by God, could not be held down, even by death.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence. – Acts 2:23-28
This is the message of our faith, and the model that we are to follow. Our faith and hope is to be placed in God, and doing so, our words and actions will reflect the Way of God. The Way where our eyes are opened and our hearts burn with desire to be in the service of Love, wherever it leads.
On the road to Emmaus, the two disciples requested of Jesus, “Stay with us” (Lk 24:29).
In our striving, we must do the same, and like the disciples, we must also leave room for the breaking of bread and having hearts that are open to receive, with the love of Jesus, whatever may be revealed.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
In the days that follow Easter,
My soul sings in and through
The brightness of the week.
Christ is risen,
Yes, indeed!
The sun it shines so brightly,
Broadening its range
Even when its hidden,
Bringing awe into my gaze.
Christ is here,
Yes, Indeed!
Source of love and mercy,
Raiser up of patience,
Lifter of all souls.
Christ forever saving,
Yes, Indeed!
The light, rising in the east,
Breaks over the water’s edge,
Reaching out to all.
Its glow carries warmth,
Its sharpness, an invitation.
Zooming in to look and listen,
It shimmers and it shines.
What does it mean?
What does it say?
The journey of day,
Darkness ever attempting
To be in life’s way.
Yet, some things are impossible.
Light, like life, is never ending.
Up and over,
Again, and again.
With this Light,
Nothing is impossible.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Meet me at the Intersection.
You know the place.
The one where our wills meet,
And where differences are laid aside.
The one where hearts meld for all.
Meet me at the Intersection.
You know the place.
The one where face to face,
Our guards recline and fears subside,
As we recall the beauty of our Oneness.
Meet me at the Intersection.
You know the place.
The one, and only One,
Where we help each other,
And the choices made,
Regardless of their ilk,
Shine with greater Glory.
Meet me at the Intersection.
You know the place.
The one where we walk, hand in hand,
And there is no wedge between us.
Where we recall, together is our destiny.
Meet me at the Intersection,
You know the place.
For there is no other way,
But the Way—open, just, and free,
As life, in all its Glory, rises to its fullness.
When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem
and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately you will find an ass tethered,
and a colt with her.
Untie them and bring them here to me.
And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,
‘The master has need of them.’
Then he will send them at once.”
This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Say to daughter Zion,
“Behold, your king comes to you,
meek and riding on an ass,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them,
and he sat upon them.
The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees
and strewed them on the road.
The crowds preceding him and those following
kept crying out and saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
hosanna in the highest.”
And when he entered Jerusalem
the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”
And the crowds replied,
“This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” – Matthew 21:1-11
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