WHY THIS CROSS?

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
held up to recoiling vampires —

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 loves
gathered in
you follow
gathered round
you share
reclined at table
you hear His voice
feel His breath
share His laughter
receive
His touch
holding on
to every word
you 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 loves

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: 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
thirst and
broken-heartedness
constant companion
living
and being
with Him
we are revived
we sing
a song
of life
and praise
in Him

Do you feel God’s constant presence?

Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-17; John 13:21-38

deeply troubled
knowing
the ways
of our human hearts
He allows
betrayals
to play out
in a history
that becomes
our salvation

Do we call Him complicit?
Do we call Him victim?
Do we call Him a fool?
What do we do with betrayal?
What do we do to love?

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

lavishing gift
upon the one
who comes
to raise us up
from death
turning
from betrayal
greed
and hypocrisy
we see the Light
of our salvation
we find a refuge
and wait
with courage
for the fullness
of time

What gift do you bring?

Isaiah 50: 4-7; Psalm 22:8-9; 17-24; Phil 2: 6-11; Matt 26: 14-27:66

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

Ex 37:21-28; Jeremiah 31:1-13; John 11:45-56

Caiaphas
high priest
plotting
in power
and ignorance
thinking
himself
the savior
offers
the true one
who was sent
for sacrifice

Do we do the same?
Who do we follow?

Jeremiah 20:10=13; Psalm 18:3=7′ John 10:31-42

leaving
the glee
of vengeance
we enter
a different realm
where we know
who we are
daughters
and sons
of God
not yet understood
by the many
we take up arms
where there should be
singing
and rejoicing
at salvation’s coming
when will our eyes
be opened?
when will our ears hear?
who is the stronger?
who is the wiser?
enter
the Holy Week
with prayer
and fasting
eyes and hearts
cast on mercy

Who will answer the longings and pleadings of our soul?

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?