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

Give...

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate....For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you" (Lk 6:36-38).

God of unconditional love,

of freedom

beyond-all-measure...

how do we fathom

within our own hearts

a depth of self-giving

so much more

than our experience?

How do we enter your boundless generosity,

for we measure not beyond-all-measure?

Help us, O God...

Help us to exchange the weight of judgment

for the freedom of forgiveness.

To clothe our brothers and sisters

with the garment of compassion.

To let mercy make a home in our hearts,

and truth the door through which we pass...

And there so enter upon the way of Jesus

who is life beyond-all-measure.

Amen