Readings: 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?

Readings: Isaiah 58: 7-10; Psalm 112, 4-9; Cor 2 2:1-5; Mt 5: 13-16

you shall cry

for help

and God’s

light

will break forth

like the dawn

upon a wounded

heart

quickly healed

you shall

overflow

in generosity

feeding

the hungry

a shelter

for the homeless

covering

the naked

freeing

the oppressed

satisfying

the afflicted

salt of the earth

you are preserved

from destruction

rooted

in love

you shall not

be moved

Do you experience the light of dawn in your heart?

Does your heart overflow with generosity?

Are you a shelter for the oppressed?

Samuel 16: 1-13; Psalm 23, 1-6; Eph 5: 8-14; John 9: 1-41

not as man

sees

but God

beyond

appearance

 into the heart

with the Lord

our shepherd

we shall

not want

and

our eyes

shall be opened

to see

beyond the law

beyond the Sabbath

beyond the ritual

to the Truth

the light

awakening us

from sleep

as we pass

from death

to Life

Do you see with His light?

Do you see beyond the law, the ritual and the Sabbath?

Are you awake?

Written for her eulogy March 26, 1992…still missing you

A letter from your daughter

 Dear Mom,

 As I sit and write this letter to you I feel myself becoming a little girl again, returning to a simpler time when faith came easier and magic was a part of every day.  There was always something magic about our home.  The magic that made the walls of our little house expand so that no matter how may people came to the door there was always room for one more.  The magic of our kitchen table that always had enough food for one more.  The magic of those Polish words and your unique phrases that kept us kids in line—or at least laughing.  And the magic of you and dad, that no matter how bad things got you were there for each other.

 Yet by far the most powerful images that come to me are the memories of stumbling behind you in your garden—planting, watering, pruning, and weeding.  Through your great love of the earth and its flowers and the great care you took in your garden, you offered us trust and hope and faith in the seasons of life.  It was your faith in the seed as  we put it in the earth in the spring that the beautiful blossoms of summer would come;  your faith in pruning and weeding–the cutting back–a process that seemed so painful yet was so necessary; your faith in the earth and sun and rain to provide for your garden along with your care, and the joy you felt as you walked barefoot in the morning dew, that gave me such a deep appreciation of the goodness of God.  It was in your garden that you would tell me that God hears our prayers no matter where we are–whether in a church or in the field.  You gave a truly Living God to me.

 We came a long way from our days together in the garden.  The bouquets that were always springing from there became fewer and finally ceased as the years took their toll on you.  It felt as though God was not hearing your prayers anymore as your body failed you, your eyes grew dimmer and you suffered such tremendous loss and pain from the unanswered prayers for Larry and Dad.  But I see now, in that awareness that comes at the death of someone we love so deeply, that it was your final lesson to us on the seasons of Life.  We have learned the lessons of winter–those cold, dark, barren moments that seem as though they will never end and our faith is tested to its limit.

 But the spring has come.  The ground is thawing.  The robins are returning.  The crocuses are springing up in your backyard.  It seems only right that we should lay your body in the ground in the Spring.  We will do it with the same faith that you planted your seeds in the Spring–knowing that your soul is now free to blossom in heaven with those you loved the most.  What a beautiful garden it must be, and we cannot help but share the peace and joy you must be feeling now.

 We love you Katie and thank you for the love you gave us for so many years.  We look forward to the time when we are all singing together in your garden again.

Exodus 1: 3-7; Ps 95: 1-9; 2 Romans 5: 1-8; John 4: 5-42

without

worthiness

the water

and grace

of life

 flow upon

the wanderers

with open

hearts

ready to receive

the woman

hears

her Truth

and

a heart of stone

melts

into a heart

of love

singing

joyfully

knowing

that salvation

has come

to the

weary ones

to the

outcasts

all are loved

in this spirit

and Truth

Do you tell God all of your needs?

 Do you hear and respond to  truth spoken into your heart?

Readings: Genesis 12: 1-4; Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20-22; Tim 1: 8-10; Mt 17: 1-9

he calls

into

our hearts

we follow

even

into

deserts

even

into

the unknown

for we hold

his vision

within us

he preserves

us

in spite

of famine

and

we are

transfigured

in him

and

with him

dazzling

as the sun

radiant

as light

unafraid

for

his love

is all

we need…

Spirit and Truth

Do you hear him when he calls into your heart?

Do you follow?

Do you live by His light?

  Genesis 2: 7-9, 3: 1-7; Psalm 51: 3-6, 12-17; Romans 5: 12-19; Mt: 4:4

turning from

the tree

of life

we eat

of good and evil

aware of

our nakedness

we hide our being

from love

cast aside

we beg for mercy

from ourselves

until

one comes

who knows

the true voice

in a desert

that some food

is poison

even as we starve

and that no proof

is needed

for eternal love

all belongs

to God

given

freely

owned

by all

and none

Can you hear the true voice of God?

What voice tempts you?

Do you test love and try to possess it?

Is 49: 14-15; Ps 62: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Cor 4: 1-5; Mt 6: 24-34

never forgotten

we rest in God alone

our rock

our stronghold

our salvation

we shall not be disturbed

trusting in God

at all times

our hearts pour out

His love

beyond the judgment

of the world

it is God’s light

that sees

the motives of our heart

showing us

who we serve—

leaving mammon

we let go

of worldly anxiety

for food and drink and clothing

we are as free

as the wildflowers

who do not spin

the birds of the air

that fly

seeking first

His kingdom

where all our needs are fulfilled

Do you serve God or mammon?

Are you filled with anxieties of the world?

Do you seek God first?

Lv 19: 1-2, 17-18; Ps 103: 1-4,8,10,12-13; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5: 38-48

perfect love

calls us

into Christ

beyond the wisdom

of the world

into the foolishness

of God

where enemies are loved

a struck cheek is turned

a cloak is given

where we walk

the extra mile

pray for those who

persecute us

love our neighbor

as our self

holding no grudge

or revenge

we are

the temple of God

where the Spirit of God

dwells

Do you love your neighbor as yourself?

Do you experience the Spirit of God dwelling within you?

Do you love your enemy?

Sir: 15: 15-20; Ps 119 1-2;4-5; 17-18; 33-34; 1 Cor 2: 6-10; Mt 5: 17-37

open my eyes

instruct me

give me

 discernment

that i may see

your wisdom

that saves me

you see all

that is in our hearts

our fear

our desire

for good

you place your law

upon us

we trust in you

and follow

Spirit

that knows

even the depths of God

guide us

to choose life

in all things

Have your eyes seen?

Have your ears heard?

What do you choose?