Open our eyes

God of goodness,

how many times

have we passed

through the door

of our homes

and missed

the hungers of you?

We find ourselves

laden with bread,

yet many

still cry for

mere crumbs.

What is wrong with our vision?

Why does it tunnel

down our paths

and capture

only the poor

of our choosing?

Why are we

so narrow

in defining needs?

Jesus sensed

what could not

be seen

and noticed needs

as in rhythm

with his every breath.

Teach us through him

to be attentive to our actions,

worthy of our words,

generous with our giving

so that another's thirst

may reach our own throats

and be satisfied by the cooling waters

of our compassion.

Amen.

Through it all...

God does not take away conflict or pain. God offers me healing within and blessing throughout.

"Promise me that these sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and the other at your left, in your kingdom." In reply Jesus said, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink of the cup I am to drink of?" (Mt 20:21-22).

O God,
your kingdom
is not one of
conflict and power,
but one of
kinship.
You desire
relationship
not rivalry
and so empower
greatness
with humility,
and meekness
with strength.
Places of honor
are wounds in
your right hand
and left.

With our brother,
Jesus,
you bid us
gather 'round
and share a cup
of blood and tears...
to drink death
before the promised
dawn.

How foolish we are
to think that pushing
our way to you
avoids the pull
of one another.
Forgive...forgive us
who look for answers
in a balance
of heaven and earth
but leave no room
for the ballast
of your wisdom.
Forgive us the egos
that edge you out
of our holiness.

Amen.

A Good Complexion

A dear old lady was asked what she used to make her complexion so beautiful and her whole being so bright and attractive. She answered:

I use for my lips ~~ truth;

I use for my voice ~~ kindness;

I use for my ears ~~ compassion;

I use for my hands ~~ charity;

I use for my figure ~~ uprightness;

I use for my heart ~~ love;

I use for anyone who doesn't like me ~~ prayer.

Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

~~~Philippians 4:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

~~~Galatians 5:22-23

Let all that you do be done with love.

~~~ I Corinthians 16:14