Why this cross?
this ornament of human suffering
in comfort and complacency
it can seem quite out of place
yet let one moment of tragedy
need or desperation come and
this cross is no longer a foreign land
but a shelter and home
a passage of power
and transformation–
is it magic?
some talisman?
so it would seem
as it is forged in gold
carved in wood
and fashioned in beads
strung on necks
and molded on rings
yet kneeling
silently
before the cross
I hear
the whispers
and struggle
of the world
as it wrestles with its horror
its daily news
of evil and death
cruelty and selfishness
politics and greed
ideological slaughter
and mass destruction
our grieving and loss
our starvation and calamities–
earths quake and worlds fall
within the cross
we are free to place our burden there
and leave as though it were some receptacle
some garbage pit or scapegoat
yet not for long
for His whispers
and movement and life
are too compelling
He calls
over and over
to visit
this strange
place of death
that leads to Life
entering the suffering
the solitude
the darkness
of his outstretched tomb
we answer his call
to pray
to trust
to stay
until wisdom
whispers
the promise
of new life
how long is
our suffering-
it is a moment
of grace—
then there is
no time
at all
no need-
we are completed
resurrected
in His love

Holy Thursday
At the Table

you are the one he loved
gathered in you followed
gathered round you shared
reclined at table you heard His voice
felt His breath
shared His laughter
received His touch
holding onto every word
you will remember
His cup
His heart
His wine
His love
He is every meal your nourishment
every meal your sustenance
all the miles walked upon this earth in time
are changed within His hands
each step renewed with His sacred touch
worn upon your feet he cleansed
to serve
to heal
to love

You are the one He loves.

Isaiah 50: 4-9; Psalm 69: 8-10; 21-22, 31-34; Matthew 26: 19-25

morning
after morning
He opens
our ears
that we may hear
do not let us
be lead astray
or desert Him
in time
of need
for He
has been
our help
in weakness
in thirst
and broken-heartedness
constant companion
living
and being
with Him
we are revived
we sing
a song
of life
and praise
God’s love for all

Do you feel God’s constant presence?
Has God given you a well trained tongue to speak to the weary?

Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17; John 13:21-33, 36-38

knowing
our hearts
our faithfulness
or our betrayal
still He gives
His life
His bread
for us
from a love
He knows
in God
that never fails
even as we might
one Love
one Purpose
one Refuge
from where
all Justice
flows
in mercy

Have you experienced betrayal in yourself or others?
How have you experienced God’s mercy?

Isaiah 42: 1-7; Psalm 27: 1-14; John 12: 1-11

His breath
His Spirit
His light
within us
whom should
we fear?
no enemy
no war
no chaos
no death
can overwhelm
our steadfast
Spirit
in Him
we place
our trust
in Him
we are
raised up
in Him
we live

Of whom or what are you afraid?
Where do you find consolation and hope?

Isaiah 50:4-7;Ps. 22:8-9,17-18,19-20,23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47)

the moment
of forsaken
the void
of abandon
no God
to save
doubt
of all ages
empty arms
broken body
broken heart
every
thing
gone
wrong
our poverty
stretched taut
we cry
why
have you
forsaken me?

Have you felt the forsaken moment?
What is your poverty?
In what do you hope?

Ezekiel 37: 21-28; Jeremiah 31: 10-13; John 11: 45-56

gathered
into One
we enter
a covenant
of peace
and love
as we turn
from our ignorance
challenged
to leave
behind the politics
of this world
that would destroy us
and enter
a kingdom
where justice-
God’s love of all
reigns
in abundance
providing
all we need
for ourselves
and others
raised
from death
our mourning
is turned
to joy

Where do you turn in your time of distress?
What brings you peace?

Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Psalm 18: 2-7; John 10: 31-42

we bring
our distress
to you
you hear us
and answer us
with your
love and
strength
upholding us
as disease
and death
and fear
surrounds us
we dare
to sing
and praise
your goodness

Does God hear you?
How does God answer?

Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105:4-9; John 8:51-59

waking
to morning
Glory
we see
into the heaven
that surrounds us
faith of the ones
who have carried us
through all the times
of our sorrow
hardship
and grief
never forsaking
our Spirit
even as we felt
forsaken
to this we rise
each day
not grieving the Spirit
but embracing
her Love
praying
and resting
in God’s peace

Do you wake to morning’s Glory?
Do you allow yourself to feel God’s peace?

Dn 3:14-20, 91-92,95; Dn 3:52-56; John 8:31-52

sorting through
the chaos of our thoughts
we seek God’s words
of love
and life
and Truth
to set us free
from all desires
that enslave
we yield
to generous hearts
persevering
in faithfulness
even as all
around us
speaks of death
destruction
and despair
we offer what we can
to Goodness
singing praise
to the light and love
of Truth

Where do you find Truth?
Does it set you free?