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

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11: 23-26; John 13: 1-15

you are the one
He loved
gathered in
you followed
gathered round
you shared
reclined at table
you hear his voice
feel his breath
share his laughter
receive
his touch
holding on
to 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 sacred touch
worn upon your feet
he cleansed
to serve
to heal
to love…
you are the one he loved

Is He your every meal?
Are you changed within His hands?

Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 69: 8-10,21-22,31-34; Matthew 26:14-25

faced
with inevitable
betrayal
He lets go
into a path
that many
will follow
as we carry
our cross
with Him
through
suffering
sin
and death
trusting
that the Lord
in great Love
will answer us
with new Life

Do you trust God with your suffering and death?

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
we live
in God’s mercy

Do you live in God’s mercy?

Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 27:1-3,13-14; John 12:1-11

even as enemies
gather
in the deep silence
of God
we feel
the breath
who breathes us
the hand
who formed us
grasps us
and leads
us into the light
all darkness
falls away
in our refuge
where the fragrance
of Love
and Beauty
and Generosity
anoint us
into salvation
and new life

What fragrance surrounds you?
Who owns your breath?

betrayed
His heart
is nearly
broken
with sorrow
begging
companionship
yet no one
stays awake
alone
He faced
His cup
of sorrow
lead away
to enemies
He is denied
tortured
crucified
hung
for us
to see
all sin
all helplessness
forsakenness
darkness
and death

What do you see in His death?
What do you see in His helplessness?
What do you see in His forsakenness

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
leaving
behind
the politics
of this world
that would
destroy
and entering
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

Do His works inspire faith or harden your heart?
Do you fear God’s power?

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

the enemies
of our mind
on every side
we cry out
in our distress
to the Lord
who answers
with strength
and courage
and love
His word
shines through
our darkness
we rejoice
and sing
to this God
of Goodness
who rescues us

Do you experience His light in your darkness?

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

each morning
awakening
from the chaos
of dreams
we choose
again
how we will
live the day
following
a path
with Him
where Truth
and Love
will set us free
where no fire
or death
can harm us
or another path
where we never
awaken
at all

How do you wake from the chaos of dreams?