Fourth of Advent

Fourth of Advent 

darkness lengthens

deepens

stirring cold winds 

of isolation 

of abandonment 

of always… 

this way 

 and then 

a… breath 

a spark 

in the far away 

imagined 

enough to draw 

the eye

to draw

the heart

and there the gleam

a single

candle

glowing

pushing back

the dark

distant…

but enough

to reach us

we are not

alone

Third of Advent

 Third of Advent

fear driven longing for light

undermines

subverts

the necessary work

of the dark on the way

faith stands both

in the reality

of the coming light

and

of the present dark

fear learns again

dark adds

to fear 

with imagined

specters

faith learns again

the deep lessons

that dark alone

can impart to

those trained to

seeing in the dark

confused by the imagined

fear misses 

glancing backward

the hints of

coming light

content in unseen but

abiding presence

faith waits

growing in the dark

glowing in the dark.

Second of Advent

 Second of Advent

a glimmer

a hint

of what might be a smudge of light

but could just as easily be what

remains when you blink

not enough to attach to 

but... still

a beckoning

and so

like watchmen

we wait for the dawn

staring at what might be

knowing

it will be

but the waiting

the waiting

knows dawn

will not be

rushed

and prepares

to be present in the waiting

sets the heart for receiving

the gift of dawn

beyond the light of a new day

waiting prepares a place

for the gift unknown

coming to time in time

requiring unhurried space

uncluttered with expectations

open hands

open hearts

to wonder

and so

we wait.

Advent :: Hope!

 Had the chance to reflect on Hope - the first word of the Advent season - but not hope in a specific outcome - Hope in a Person Who has come and is coming...

Advent :: Hope

(The sermon starts about the 22 minute mark.)

Celebrating Andrew

Imagine growing up in the shadow of one who appears larger than life in almost every description of him - one who seems to always have captured the camera's eye - one who seems always to have something say, even if not always the right thing, or for the right reason. To be Peter's younger brother likely brought its own set of issues - long before they ever were met by Jesus! And even then, he is was just on the outside edge of the inner circle.

It is fascinating, then, on this the Feast Day of St. Andrew, to take a closer look at the few stories we have - and to notice what he does from his place in the shadow. The apparent set of his heart is suggested by the fact that he was an early follower of John the Baptist's ministry of "preparing the way" for Messiah's coming by means of repentance. Andrew was one of the two standing with him when John let them know that Jesus was the one for whom they had been preparing. Apparently without a moment's hesitation, Andrew's response was to leave John and begin to follow Jesus - who invited him to come and see where he was staying. It was not long before Andrew does what we see him doing often - bring people to Jesus. In this case, it is his older brother - apparently trusting Andrew's audacious claim that they had found the Messiah!

Following a rabbi in those days wasa kind of entry for consideration to be included among his disciples - so it is no surprise that sometime later, when he was back home in the north, Jesus comes across Andrew and Peter fishing and invites them to follow him. In leaving their boat and nets, they walked away from everything that has previously defined them - their past, their security, their future - enticed by his belief that they could become like him! It is pretty clear that it takes them a while to figure out what kind of Messiah - what kind of Rabbi - he is... but Andrew is in from the beginning - and bring others along with him.

So it is not at all out of character when Andrew is the one who brings a boys whose sack lunch of five barley loaves and two fish, offered to Jesus, becomes enough to feed thousands of people on a remote hillside in northeast Galilee. I can't imagine what it was about Andrew that convinced that boy to give up his lunch - but it does suggest something about him that, once again, others were willing to trust him - and to follow him to Jesus. We see it again at the pivotal moment heading into the final week of Jesus' life. It is to Andrew that Phillip comes, having been approached by a group of Greeks in Jerusalem for Passover - but who wanted to see Jesus. Phillip seems to know that Andrew is the guy you go to get people to Jesus.

Grateful for the people like Andrew, who don't get top billing, who are known mostly by association, who live in the shadow - but who show up - and who can be trusted to bring people to Jesus. I want to like that.

The First of Advent

First of Advent

Always darkest before dawn

we have heard

and it seems to be true in reflection

but

we may miss an essential awareness

that the darkness will come around

again

as will the dawn which makes it darkest

the Preacher’s observations remind us

of the essential return of darkness and

light

so routinized is the return of each that

we scarcely notice - and often miss

that, while repeated, they are never quite

the same

each cycle moving us incrementally forward

towards a telos grander than can be approached

quickly without regard to the preparation of

repetition with attention

were who is coming small enough to 

receive without preparation we wouldn’t need

the training of repetition but such a One requires

that we prepare Him room

and that takes slowed and repeated and attended to

time

and so, in this darkest darkness we pause

we prepare 

Happiness does not yield to pursuit

happiness does not yield to pursuit

it tends, instead, to peek out from the edges of limitation

when it things no one is looking

loving to surprise with the delight of the unexpected

we may do our best to create the environment

the space in which

happiness is likely to occur

but it will not be forced

not by should or have to or must

it seems most likely when options are reduced

when choices are limited

fleeing ostentation

it gets lost in the forest of what ifs

preferring a single chosen yes

over a bewildering plethora of maybes

of too much

of too many

its foundation crumbles

with the dry rot of competition

the black mold of comparison

building, as it does, on 

shared moments of enough

partnering with joy it stirs up contentment

so that complacency doesn't set it

bubbling up unexpectedly out of

the satisfaction

the subtle thrilling of 

being

growing through releasing

through sharing

through celebrating

the common

the simple

the underwhelming

now

 

Emotional Autofill

For the most part, I have gotten used to - and even sometimes grateful for - the auto text feature in my word processing program or to help me along the way in texting. To begin a word and have the rest of the word or sometimes a whole phrase suggested can be a time saver - with the added benefit of the program being a more accurate typer than I am! Of course, it can go hilariously or embarrassingly wrong but proof-reading before hitting print or send will catch most of those.

 

The challenge for me these days is what I am coming to think of as emotional – socio-cultural shaped - autofill. Somebody says a word or a phrase and it triggers a whole emotional response, complete with requisite outrage. Words are less and less able to defend themselves. It apparently doesn’t matter what the speaker of the word actually meant - the emotional response to what they didn’t mean completely drowns out the rest of what might have been a conversation.

 

This is a problem in a couple of ways. First, it shuts down reasoned dialogue seeking mutual ground before it even has a chance to start. Second, it is dismissive of the personhood of the one speaking in the first place - a type of emotional cut off, calculated to restore stability to a vibrating system by undermining their intent. It is demeaning to, in effect, say, “you don’t know what you mean - so let me tell you what you mean.” And, of course, it usually reflects what is in the one who is emotionally triggered - they are responding out of fear or something like it which has devolved into anger.

 

This kind of emotional autofill is not reserved for the fearful or angry on only one side of any given issue. This is the essence of cancel culture - I know what you mean better than you know what you mean - and, based on my knowing, I deem you unworthy of being. Or, at least, of being part of the conversation…

 

You can hear it bouncing off the canyon walls of our political divide… Because you indicated an interest in pushing resources from the top where it has accumulated in obscene amounts to those at the bottom, at whose expense it much of it was acquired, you are a socialist - and therefore of no account and, on top of it all, deplorable. Because you speak the value of black lives, you must therefore be a marxist because others who say similar things hold that agenda. You cannot possibly mean that, in fact, black lives matter especially if they are the lives under present attack. Because you are concerned with what appears to be an observable pattern of the abuse of power by some under cover of authority, you must therefore be opposed to all authority and, for that matter, law and order in general.

 

And, of course, it goes the other way, as well - because you speak of the value of the life of the unborn, you must therefore not be concerned about what happens to that child once it is born into abysmal social circumstances. Or because you value border protections that assist in protecting the well-being and safety of the citizens of a country, you must be anti-immigrant and favor the sending of those in the country illegally back to almost certain death in their countries of origin. Or because you support a more or less free-market capitalist economy, you must be okay with the exploitation of the poor by the rich in a kind of economic evolution guaranteeing the survival and thriving of those with resources in the first place.

 

And on and on it goes… Because you are in favor of respecting the human rights of those with alternate sexual and gender expressions, you must therefore be in favor of pedophilia and of any and all forms of sexual behavior, and think the society does not have any business being involved at all. Or, because you are concerned with protecting the young, the naive, the innocent from sexual predation, you must therefore be in favor of regulating all and any sexual behavior and institution of morality codes for employment. And so on, ad nauseum.

 

In the meantime, we are losing the battle for humanity – for our own souls - and because we fail to realize we are all on the same team, we are all of the same kind, we all have a common Father, we appear completely unaware of the real enemy who seeks nothing more than to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Of course, he has little to do these days - we are doing all the heavy lifting for him. Our emotional auto-fill may be his greatest strategy yet.

 

Hope grows by sharing

Hope grows by sharing

like love

like joy

 

there is a moment of risk

in the speaking

in the launching of hope

into the cold world

it may be crushed by

broken-hearted black holes

of longing disappointed

it may get knocked

out of the air by

cynics arrows of outraged misfortune

prickly in self-defense having

been sidelined by fear

it may be co-opted

distorted into wish fulfillment by

desperation confusing faith with longing

but still

it may fly

it may soar

it may lift eyes and hearts

above the horizon to a new dawn

and

it may find others of

similar kind with whom

to unite forming

a chorus

a choir

singing the songs

of hope into the darkness

becoming light 

Repentance in Real Time

Today is the day on which Catholics remember the Passion of John the Baptist. John’s mission was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah by prophetically calling for repentance - a change of mind, heart, and lifestyle based on the coming of a new reality. For John, the new reality was the imminent arrival of Messiah. It is interesting, and informative for those of us who seek the Kingdom, to listen in on his conversations framing repentance in response to three representative inquiries. Luke 3:10-14 records the results of the Q & A which followed his preaching.

 

The crowd wanted to know what repentance looked like for them - John responds with characteristic bluntness. “If you have two coats, give one to the person who has none - and do the same with the food that you have.” Repentance - preparing the way of Messiah - seeking the Kingdom of God and partnering in its coming - looks like sharing with those who do not have what you have. The conditions which produced the disparity are not John’s concern here - he won’t let us hide behind the protective cover of the other’s supposed laziness, or character defaults, or justified economic inequity. It is enough that I have, and that he does not. Perhaps we can talk after we have leveled the playing field - but, given the soon arrival of Messiah, I don’t want to be caught with a closet full of extra while another waits without enough. Notice, this is not about generosity - this is about wisdom! When Messiah comes, the paradigm shifts - values are upended. You don’t want to find yourself wealthy in things that are no longer valuable - especially when you can use those presently valued things now to provide real wealth in the age that is certainly coming!

 

Not deterred by this challenging response, a tax collector presses in with the same query. John’s answer does not include taking up a different profession, but about doing the job but informed by repentance. “Collect no more than what you have been authorized to.” The system of tax collection was built for corruption – the amount authorized included a small percentage for the agent, but the system provided protection for that agent should he decide to add a surcharge to cover additional personal expenses. The result was that tax collectors were doubly loathed – for collaborating with the occupying force and for padding their pockets under cover of authority. To prepare for Messiah, John challenges them to collect only what they are entitled to. He is not concerned with their government work – perhaps his vision of the age of the messiah will require experienced, honest, and honorable tax collectors. Regardless, it is informative for those who now, at the end of time, seek the Kingdom. Do your job well, and don’t use your authority to take advantage.

 

Next up to the mic with their question were men in camo – soldiers whose hearts have been stirred by this guerilla prophet. Perhaps they recognize in him a kindred spirit – a warrior for a cause greater than himself. They respect him – and take him seriously. Their question is not asked out of idle curiosity – if a new order is on the way, if a new king is coming, how ought they prepare for his arrival? Again, it is interesting that John doesn’t tell them to resign their commissions or to take up another line of work. Serving in the military can be an honorable profession. But, like everything else associated with power, it can be more than tempting to abuse authority – especially when in such a hostile, hate filled environment where they are viewed as enemies. John responds, “Don’t take money from anyone by force, don’t file false charges – be content with your wages.” John is of the opinion that they can repent – they can prepare for the coming of Messiah – by treating those over whom they have authority with dignity and by acting honorably and without greed.

 

The parallels are not exact, but these three case studies give us a window into the practical nature of repentance – it is not about feeling bad for long enough until we can feel ok about feeling ok again. It is to change attitudes and behaviors in response to the awareness of a dawning reality. In our case, it is a primary way to prepare for and seek the Kingdom. In each case, it is about justice – especially exercised by those with power or authority or position or privilege. Those things are not to be leveraged for personal gain at the expense of others – rather, they are to be used for the good of those who aren’t similarly advantaged. The last speaks, perhaps, to those in law enforcement who are seeking the Kingdom. Even though they ought not, other officers may perhaps abuse their authority – driven by fear, they may hide behind the badge in their harsh treatment of those they are called to protect and serve. But Kingdom seekers uniformed in blue may not – they are called to prepare the way for the King by modeling what law enforcement, the exercise of appropriate authority, in the Kingdom might look like.

                                                                                                          

Today, remembering John, I am challenged to consider what repentance looks like for me. I want it to be true of me as it was of him – I want to decrease that Jesus may increase.

 

Love Slows

 Love slows

 

the rush of demand

leaves love standing

still

waiting…

     knowing

rush hurry push shove grab get

miss

     what love receives

in stillness… slowness

 

love knows

broken hearts

     bruised bodies

          crushed spirits

call out

     for calm

     for still

     for slow

and so love slows

 

love’s pull

     love’s attraction

is more gravity

     than magnetism

glacial in comparison

but drawing equally

like and unlike

not requiring something

     attractive

in the other but

trusting deeply

it’s unconditionality

 

But such a draw

     inexorable

is slow

     knowing fast

will break

will stumble

will fall

     so

     love slows

     Love slows

 

Love invites and… waits

     without demand

but with openness

to the moment

fear loosens grip

enough to risk

     embrace

 

God is love

and slowed to

walk at human pace

inviting us

even now

     to slow

     to walk with

     Love

to slow

     to walk with

     God

Out of Pain... New Life!

 Grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the creative capacity of the Holy Spirit to bring beauty out of ashes - joy even while mourning. Deeply needed, I think, for such time as ours...

Out of Pain... New Life!

Wisdom in a Time of Distraction

Wisdom in a Time of Distraction

In what passes as news these days, it is important to distinguish what is actually news, what is contextualizing analysis or explanation of that news, and what is more or less informed opinion about either the news or the analysis. The first is useful, the second can be useful depending primarily on the degree to which, and the perspective from which, the analysis is informed, whereas the third is rarely useful - albeit occasionally entertaining. Unfortunately, the volume - in both senses - increases in reverse order to usefulness. In moving towards necessary simplicity, the third and largest layer ought be the first to go. The challenge, often, is to know which is which! For that, often, Spirit guided discernment is the only recourse. Of course, the Holy Spirit works better with the humble heart. Perhaps we should start all posts with “It seems to be - I could be wrong…”

In an opinion rich but wisdom poor media environment, James (3:13-18) partners with the Holy Spirit to provide a helpful metric for filtering out what is worthwhile from toxic trash. It is no surprise that the first layer, the gross filter, is character – good behavior reflecting gentleness. This is challenging in the deliberate anonymity of the news cycle – but speaks to the importance of knowing those from whom we receive even information, let alone from whom we take advice or counsel. I suspect the fact that a person is a Facebook friend is not be enough to accept everything they endorse by posting.

The primary mark of a believable character formed by wisdom is gentleness. The wise person doesn’t need to resort to insecurity generated bluster or bully to force acceptance of his or her perspective. There is a quiet strength to wisdom that does not need to assert itself but that underlies the whole of a life lived in alignment from the inside out. The wise person is a calm and non-anxious presence – engaged, but not enmeshed.

According to James, big red flags indicating lack of wisdom are bitter jealousy and ambitious striving. If a person is not solid in who they are, if they are not building on a foundation of beauty and goodness having believed the Voice from the heavens, inevitably they will resort to identity by comparison, with anger and resentment as the driving forces. And, because comparison never produces reality, they will find themselves striving – grabbing and grasping for the handles of more and better, forever climbing towards an illusive “some place” at which all will be well. Only to discover that wherever they end up, there they are. That, however, doesn’t stop them from boldly and brashly declaring their point of view as the only one worth having. Arrogance, anchored in insecurity and fear, drives them to continue long after they have become aware that they are wrong. Even though they produce chaos and increasing fear and confusion, such tactics evidently work on occasion in the Kingdom of this world – but they are never part of the coming of the Kingdom of God.

The wisdom that flows from and towards God’s Kingdom is refreshing by contrast. It is simple and singular – reflecting integrity inside and out – making for wholeness in relationships and in life. It is deeply anchored in enormous strength – and so is amenable to reason, able to yield without loss or defensiveness, marked by a kindness that enables mercy to those with whom there is disagreement, good to all without selective, self-aggrandizing manipulation of relationships. The long term outcome of a life shaped by such wisdom is righteousness informed peace. Sounds good to me.

As might be predicted, finding the latter type of wisdom is challenging on social media – or in media generally. So, we probably need to look elsewhere – perhaps to Him Who is the source of wisdom – and then use that as the lens through which to view the “news” and what passes as news.

Lord... Have Mercy

Had a chance to reflect on our deep need for mercy as the only solution to being in over our heads...

(sermon starts about 25 minutes in)

Lord... Have Mercy

to intercede

to intercede

detachment

from outcomes

except one

One

gap standing

absorbing

consequential

wrath

carrying pain

sharing suffering

lifting sorrow

with Him

sometimes

nameless

faceless

brokenness

groanings

unutterable

longing

inexpressible

resonating

with the

heart of

the earth

deep calling

deep longing

deep knowing

deep known

not daring

to project

preference

except…

Your Will

Your Kingdom

On Earth

As in Heaven

New People!

Had the chance to reflect on the wonder that arises out of chaos and confusion and challenge when the Holy Spirit gets involved! (Sermon starts about the 18 minute mark)
New People

Pray. And don't give up on praying...

“Pray. And don’t give up on praying…”

 

It is unusual that such clear interpretive direction is provided. Usually, readers are left to figure it out for themselves – in fact, that seems to be part of the lesson to be learned. So, when Luke explicitly states the purpose of the first parable in chapter 18, it is worth noting. This, apparently, is not something we dare miss. It assumes even greater urgency when Jesus makes essentially the same point at the end of the story told.

 

The setting is all too familiar – a woman, essentially without power or position, is being taken advantage of in a commercial matter. Against all odds, she seeks protection under the law only to find that the one in a position to help her – and duty bound to do so – appears immune to her request for assistance. Perhaps it is the arrogance of his position, perhaps it is his hope to get a better offer from the opposition, perhaps it is simple disinterest – but he repeatedly denies her request. Given that he has the final say, it appears the matter is settled – with her opponent claiming the victory. But she is not willing to take no for an answer – nor is she willing to allow such a cavalier attitude towards justice to stand. So, having no other tools at her disposal, she keeps showing up with the same request. Wherever he goes, there she is. To the point that he begins to worry that, in her desperation, she might take further action which could well damage his reputation – maybe even give him a literal, as well as a figurative, black eye! Pure self-interest drives his granting of her request for justice.

 

In a manner typical of the rabbis of His day, Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater – if this unrighteous judge does what is right because of powerless persistence, how much more will God bring about justice for those who keep crying out to Him?

 

Jesus’ concern is not about the character of God. We can feel the weight on His heart when, in the next sentence, he asks plaintively, “But… when the Son of Man comes, will He find the faith on the earth?” In other words, will there be anyone left who still stands in the reality of Who He is – and, on the basis of that reality, is still interceding – crying out for mercy – for the earth?

 

It is a sobering question in our current moment. We find ourselves in all caps outrage for split-seconds of emotional explosion, only to speed off in another direction as some new shiny thing attracts our attention. Or, as is usually the case, get tired or bored. Persistence – a long obedience in the same direction – is not our strong suit – especially when it is persistence in prayer, the heavy lifting of the Kingdom. But in this moment, it our best hope for the troubles we are in and which appear looming on the horizon for anyone with an eye to see.

 

Jesus’ question remains unanswered. I want to be among those who respond in the affirmative.

Jesus - as He is Right Now!

Had the chance to reflect on John's vision of Jesus - as He is right now... the only word that fits is awesome!
Jesus - as He is Right Now!

Desert Time

Had the chance a few weeks ago to reflect on Desert Time...
(apologies for the awkward splash screen!)

Desert Time

center hold

center hold

newton’s third

works

when the

center holds

actions

reactions

require

connection

similarly

lashes and backlashes

pendulum swings

yins and yangs

but if

the center

fails…

if the essential

connection is

broken…

fragmentation

brokenness

dis-integration

perhaps that

in troubled

and troubling

times is the

role of the

peacemaker

to stand

centered

clinging

to the edges

holding them

together

the image

of a cross

of the Cross

gathers up

what

peace making

might mean

Towards Oneness

Had the opportunity to reflect on what unity might look like configured from the bottom, rather than the top... It has rocked me to consider what Jesus invites us to and why it matters so much.
Towards Oneness

Overlooking

Overlooking

it is a luxury

costly beyond measure

to look away

to ignore

what most can’t

especially those

overlooked

to

over time

un-see

seen

is a costly

blindness

afforded

to few

sooner or later

the overlooked

pile up in ways

unavoidably

inconvenient

except to those

choosing blindness

through isolation

to be able

to move along

get back to business

resume as you were

is a privilege beyond

the reach of

the seeing

the noticing

the cost of

not seeing

of overlooking

of turning away

is the missing

of Jesus

with and as

the overlooked

the unseen

so

let the one

who has eyes

see

Beyond Hashtags

Beyond Hashtags

It is probably too late, but I press on in pursuit of likely lost causes. In this case, to rescue the hashtag from its current use to divide and subdivide people into a caricature of an idea they might hold. In the social media universe, at least as I understand it, the hashtag was intended to simplify searching for similar categories across multiple posts and platforms. The symbol provided a quick and easy way to sort lists and entries. Very helpful – allowing the organization of bits and pieces of information, thoughts, musings, opinions, and so on, after the fact, and to collect similar bits from wherever hashtags indicate they are residing. All well and good.

The problem, at least as I see it, is that the hashtag has been weaponized. I can imagine a version of it in Corinth - #iamofpaul #iamofapollos #iamofchephas #IAMOFCHRIST – rallying points for division. I suppose it might be more or less innocent were it used to register preference – which is inevitable. But what seems to happen is that my preference becomes, in my informed insecurity, the best option not only for me for everyone – which then leads to it becoming an easy measure of the intelligence of everyone – which then leads to it becoming a way  of dismissal, often with appropriate contempt, of the unenlightened who do not have two brain cells to rub together as witnessed by the fact that they don’t agree with me! They are probably, therefore, subhuman and deserving of nothing but shame lest they spread their damnable ignorance to the naive. And thus, we hashtag other parts of the Image of God – of the Body of Christ – into easily disposed of categories with self-congratulatory ease.

Not good.

What is missing in the hashtagged world is the reality of nuance – of both/and. Hashtags are gross filters – either/or, yes/no, for/against, agree/disagree. But that is not, in practice, how we think or live – unless forced into it by an increasingly loud shame culture, quick to tell us how we must think and live if we are to be accepted in the best of circles – by which is meant, by implication, the normal, sane, intelligent group of which I am a part (as compared to the reprehensible group on the other side). It’s like middle school all over again! Identity – value – is wrapped up in the most facile of markers, reducing those who aren’t us to cootie status!

It does not take long, if we are even moderately observant, to notice that, while there are some clear either/or, yes/no, issues – most of life is far too complex to allow for the simple sub-divisions implicit in our current hashtag identities. It is multi-textured, multi-hued, multi-faceted – and calls for respectful awareness of the mystery of being. We hashtag into reductionistic simplicity, to our loss. We may still hold to our preference, but we must do so humbly knowing that it is possible to be both/and on most issues about which we care. Further, it is possible to hold to a point of view without espousing everything that gets lumped into the hashtagged version of that point of view. We can, and probably must, be political – but we need not be (dare not be, as disciples of Jesus) partisan, knowing that no single party – no single position on pretty much anything – is going to adequately represent the Kingdom of God, which, ultimately, we seek in all its glorious depth and breadth.

Hashtagging disables constructive engagement – we have already filed people into their respective categories thinking, by doing so, that we no longer need deal with them as people. Not so. In many cases, the opinion someone holds on any particular issue is the least important thing about them – so when we start with that, when we subdivide by least important things, we lose out on the mystery that reveals how much we are alike. We lose out on wonder.

Jesus said...

Jesus said…

Love one another

i said

could you explain

Jesus said

Love one another

i said

perhaps an example?

Jesus said

as I have loved you

i said

oh

but what if…

Jesus said

Love one another

i said

but you don’t understand how…

Jesus said

Love one another

i said

but they’re wrong about…

Jesus said

Love one another

i said

but they hurt me

Jesus said

Love one another

i said

but they don’t love me

Jesus said

Love one another

i said

don’t you have anything else to say

Jesus said

.

Love > Fear

Had a chance to reflect on what it is that the Lord might be requiring of us these days...
Love > Fear

The Clothes Have No Emperor

The Clothes Have No Emperor

 

An old child’s tale

tells of the naïve speaking

of one who doesn’t know any better

but… knows better. Not seeing what

others with vested interests don’t

see – but who will not, in fearful “wisdom,”

speak

 

It is a tale of imagined

splendor, woven of words

without substance

literally

without substance

woven words become opaque

in placating one who

cannot will not see

blinded by unimaginable

hubris

 

Our modern version

twists

as, blinded it seems,

by the same powerless pride

emperors and wanna bes

appear fully clothed

armored in Armani splendor

holding symbols of power

position, place that ought

have meaning

but… don’t.

perhaps another child

is needed

to point out

the clothes

have no emperor

and cannot make one

 

meanwhile we

living in exile

are subjects

not of emperor

but of king

most known

most fully known

in naked splendor

bleeding out in

love

clothed in glory

dazzling in splendor

becoming through

suffering

the King of all Kings.

Lord of all Lords.