IMMIGRANT

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)..





IMMIGRANT


SO QUICK HAD THEY LEFT
THE ANGEL HAD GIVEN THEM NO TIME
HEROD WOULD DIM HIS SMILE
FOREVER
QUICK
BE GONE

WHERE SHALL I FIND WORK
TO FEED AND CLOTHE
AND SHELTER MY FAMILY

I
A STRANGER
IN A STRANGE LAND
WHOSE WAYS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE GODS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE SPEECH IS DIFFERENT FROM MINE

I HAVE SKILLS
IF THEY’LL LET ME USE THEM
PERHAPS THE SHIPYARDS ON THE SUEZ
WILL HAVE WORK
BUT WHATEVER WORK IS THERE
I’LL DO

WILL PEOPLE LOOK ASKANCE AT OUR CLOTHES
WE DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO PACK
WHAT WE’RE WEARING
IS WHAT WE HAVE

WE ARE TOLD TO WELCOME THE STRANGER
IN OUR MIDST
A RULE THAT TRANSCENDS ALL RELIGIONS
MAY GOD BE WITH ME IN THE NEW LAND

IF THINGS WE’RE BETTER AT HOME
I WOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT
BUT THE CHOICE IS NOT MINE
IF THE CHILD SHOULD LIVE
AND BRING HIS SMILE
TO THE WORLD

FRANK A VOLLMER

REQUIEM FOR A DAD

ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF MY FRIEND

I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE


JOURNEY'S END

STANDING BY MY WINDOW
WATCHING THE SUNSET GO
FROM MULTI-HUED TO LUMINESCENT PEARL
WATCHING A BIRD FLY
LONELY
ACROSS THE SKY
AND WONDER ING
WHY IS HE NOT HOME
AS I AM
WARM AND SHELTERED
AND WITH THE ONE I LOVE

WHY DOES HE FLY ACROSS THE SKY

THE LEGEND GOES
THAT 0N THE ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DEATH
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THAT DAY
COME BACK TO VISIT FOR AWHILE
THEN FLY BACK TOWARD THE SUN

I WATCH THE SOUL OF THIS ONE FLY AND WONDER
WHY THERE IS SADNESS IN MY SOUL
FOR HE HAS GONE ON THAT LAST JOURNEY
ON WHICH WE ALL SHALL GO
AND HAS FOUND PEACE

AND LEFT ME CRYING
WITH A PIECE OF ME TORN OUT
AND FLYING TOWARD THE SUN

SHALL I LAUGH WITH TEARS
OR CRY WITH LAUGHTER
OR WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR JOURNEY

TO DREAMS FOR YOU
TO SORROW FOR US
AND TO THE CONSOLING THOUGHT
THAT IT IS GOD'S HAND AWAITING THE BIRD OF YOUR SOUL
TO GIVE IT SHELTER
TO GIVE IT A HOME
A PLACE OF WARMTH
OF LOVE
AND AN END TO THE JOURNEY
















THE SHAWL


THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW

BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW

IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND

WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN

DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE

BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING

THE SHAWL IS FINISHED

I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO



TO MY FATHER

I DID NOT ALWAYS LOVE YOU
THERE WERE TIMES WHEN YOUR PARENTAL CARE
CHAFED ACROSS MY FREEDOM DREAMS
LIKE A CAGED SPARROW I BEAT AGAINST THE BARS
NOT KNOWING I WAS TOO YOUNG TO FLY
BUT THEN I WAS MARRIED
AND THEN I GREW UP
AND MY CHILDREN HEARD IN MY VOICE THE ECHO OF YOURS

I SAW THE SAME BIRD BEATING IN THEIR EYES
I FELT THE SAME SAD BEWILDERMENT OF A FATHER
WITH HIS CHILD
AND I LEARNED TO LOVE YOU
IT IS PROBABLY IN THE NATURE OF THINGS
THAT A PERSON SHOULD ONLY KNOW HIS FATHER AS HE AGES
AS HE HIMSELF BECOMES FATHER TO THE CHILD
IF IT WILL COMFORT
KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
AND I REGRET
IT TOOK SO LONG


WHY

WHY
OF ALL THE LEAVES THAT FELL IN AUTUMN
THAT ONE TOOK MY EYE
PERHAPS IT WAS THE WAY IT FELL
RELUCTANT TO COME DOWN
SOARING HIGHER THAN THE TREE IT LEFT
WHIRLING AND WHIRLING UNTIL WITH ONE LONG GLIDE
IT SETTLED ON THE POND
MOVING ON THE WATER WITH THE BREEZE
THEY WILL NOT COME
THEY CANNOT COME
NOT EVEN IF WE CAME FOR THEM
THEY ARE SICK AT CHRISTMAS
AND CANNOT COME
MY PARENTS TO THE HOMECOMING
THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN
MY HOUSE THE LARGEST
THEY CANNOT COME
SOMEDAY I KNOW THE UMBILICAL CORD OF WHERE I CAME FROM
MUST BE CUT
AND I AM CHRISTIAN BORN AND BRED
AND DO BELIEVE
THAT LIFE FLOWS ON PAST DEATH
BUT THERE IS THAT PART OF ME THAT CRIES OUT STOP
STOP CLOCKS AND TIDES AND SEASONS ROLL
LET IT ALWAYS BE SPRING
OR AT LEAST AUTUMN
FOR AUTUMN IS WHERE THEY ARE
LATE AUTUMN
BUT DO I REALLY WISH THIS FOR MY FATHER
HE WHOM I FEARED THEN LOVED THEN WORRIED OVER LIKE A BABY
SHALL I KEEP HIM LATE IN AUTUMN
AND MY MOTHER GENTLE WITCH
DRUID PRIESTESS FROM ANOTHER TIME
PROTECTOR OF LIFE TEACHER OF ROBINS TO FLY
MAKER OF WHO I AM
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
DOES SHE NOT YEARN ONCE MORE TO BE JOINED TO MOTHER EARTH
TO CHANGE TO TRANSMUTE HER LIFE
TO BECOME TREES AND FLOWERS AND FLOWING GRASS
MY MOTHER EVER YOUNG
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
I THINK WHAT FRIGHTENS ME MOST
IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE GONE
I SHALL HAVE NO HISTORY
OR IS IT THAT I SHALL BE PROMOTED TO THEIR PLACE
AS ELDEST OF THE LINE
I'M SURE THIS CHRISTMAS WILL BE WARM
THE CLAN GATHERING LIKE MANY CANDLES
COMING TO MAKE A FIRE
THAT WE WILL CALL MY PARENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
AND WISH THEM WELL
MAKE PLANS FOR OUR VISIT
BUT KNOWING ME
THERE WILL BE A TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN I SHALL DRAW THE CURTAINS ON THE HOUSE
SIT BY THE FIRE
AND TRY TO GET WARM


ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED

ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED
THROUGH THE WINDOW WHERE WE SAT
WAITING ON THE WORD
A RISING SUN AND QUARTER MOON
WERE VISIBLE IN THE SKY
BUSY BIRDS IN MORNING FLIGHT
AND ICICLES NOT YET WARMED BY DAY
ALPHA AND OMEGA
BEGINNING AND ENDING
BEGINNING
MY FATHER'S DEAD
I TOOK HIS FACE INTO MY HANDS
AND CALLED TO HIM PAST HIS UNCONSCIOUSNESS
GO TO SLEEP DAD
WE'RE ALL HERE
MOM IS WITH US AND WE ARE SAFE
THEN HE DIED
I HAD WISHED HIM DEAD
I HAD TOLD THE DOCTORS
THAT I WISHED HIM DEAD
NOT A BODY BREATHING
BUT HE WOULD NOT GO
TILL LIKE IN YOUNGER DAYS
HE WOULD NOT SLEEP TILL WE WERE HOME
TILL I COULD SAY
SLEEP WELL DAD
WE ARE HOME AND WE ARE SAFE
IN THE EVENING OF THAT DAY HE SLIPPED AWAY
MY MOTHER STOOD BY HIS BED AND SAID
YOU'RE STILL A HANDSOME MAN
I COULD NOT CRY


THE SHELL


IS IT JUST HIS DEATH THAT WE REMEMBER
IN THIS GIVING OF THIS CUP
THIS SHELL THIS BAPTISMAL DEVICE
THAT SCOOPS UP WATER FROM THE FONT
AND TRICKLES IT DOWN OUR HEAD
AND CALL US TO BE CHRISTIAN
DO WE JUST REMEMBER HIS DEATH
OR MORE FOR IS NOT THE CUP A SYMBOL POOR
OF SOME GREAT WAVE THAT OVERWHELMS US
SPILLING US FROM OUR FEET
PLUNGING US INTO A VIOLENT SEA
BEATING PUMMELING CHOKING BRUISING
UNTIL WE STRUGGLE TO OUR FEET
GASPING AIR AS SOMETHING PRECIOUS
WILLING TO LIVE
A BETTER SYMBOL PERHAPS OF THAT TIME
WHEN ALL THAT WAS MY FATHER CEASED
AND ALL HE WANTED TO BE BECAME
A GOING AWAY AND COMING BACK
A SAYING OF HELLO GOODBYE
TO CALL MY FATHER A SAINT
WOULD BE TO NOT REMEMBER HIM
BUT TO CALL HIM A MAN
WHO LAUGHED AND LONGED YEARNED AND DREAMED
WHO CRIED OUT OFTEN IN THE DARKNESS OF HIS BEING
WHO WAS OFTEN ANGRY HURT OR IN SOME PAIN
WHO LOVED WITH BOTH A LARGE AND NARROW HEART
WHO WANTED LOVE APPLAUSE AND OTHER MAN'S ESTEEM
WHO SAW DREAMS CRUMBLE IN HIS ALL THUMBS HAND
WHO CRIED OH GOD TELL ME WHO I AM
THIS PICTURE OF A MAN WHO AS I GROW
BECOMES SURPRISINGLY JUST LIKE ME
THIS CUP IN WHOSE HOLLOW I CAN HEAR THE OCEAN'S ROAR
THIS SYMBOL OF AN OCEAN POOR
THIS GOING DOWN TO DEATH
TO BE CALLED BACK BY WATER RUNNING LIKE RAINDROPS ON THE FACE
LIKE MY TEARS FALLING AS MY FATHER WENT
FOR REBIRTH
AND THE BEGINNING OF DREAMS

FRANK A VOLLMER

LYMPHOMANIA - THE MUSICAL

LYMPHOMANIA



THE MUSICAL




BY

FRANK A VOLLMER


BEING A REFLECTION
ON HIS CANCER
AND SUBSEQUENT ILL HEALTH




AUTUMN NOW

ON LEARNING HE HAD LYMPHOMA

I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I HAVE FELT WINTER'S FIRST CHILL
AND COULD NOT GET WARM
BUT I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I HAVE WONDERED AT THE MARVEL OF THE LEAVES
AT THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PASSING
AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO LET GO
RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THOSE THEY CARE ABOUT
BECAUSE I LOVE
AND AM LOVED
THEREBY SHARING IN THE DIVINITY

AND IN FACING THE DIVINITY
KNOW
THAT NOT EVERY DAY WAS PERFECT
EVERY DAY
WEEK
MONTH
YEAR
EVERY PAGE
CHAPTER
BOOK
EVERY I NOT DOTTED
EVERY T NOT CROSSED
AND WHEN DONE
NOT DONE WELL
WINTER THOUGHTS
WINTER THOUGHTS
BUT I AM IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I ASK THE PAST FOR FORGIVENESS
TO LET ME LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS
IS ALSO REQUIRED OF ME
IF I WOULD LAY MY BURDEN DOWN


BUT THE DAYS OF AUTUMN ARE NOT OVER
OH THAT I COULD MAKE MY AUTUMN BEAUTIFUL
TO CLING TENACIOUSLY TO THE TREE
NEITHER WILLING DEPARTURE
IN MIND OR BODY
OR THE LEAVING OF LOVED ONES

UNTIL CALLED BY THAT GREAT SUMMONS
TO BEGIN
THAT PEACEFUL
NOSTALGIC
ACCEPTING
JOURNEY HOME

BUT
AS FOR NOW
I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
AND THERE IS SERENITY IN MY SOUL


THE NAMING OF PILLS

TODAY WE HAD THE NAMING OF PILLS
BUT FIRST WE HAD THE DISMISSAL OF PILLS
THE MULTI VITAMIN AND THE E
GONE
AS IF IN DISGRACE
THEY HAD NOT PREVENTED THE CONDITION

A BIT OF WHIMSY THERE

ACTUALLY THE WERE NOT COMPATIBLE
WITH THE NEW

ONE TO KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING
ONE FOR NAUSEA
IF I NEED IT
ONE TO KEEP MY SYSTEM HEALTHY
ONE TO ATTACK THE TUMOR
BUT THIS ONE WE NUMBER AMONG THE PILLS

THE PILLS ARE LOWLY SERVANTS
INFERIOR TO THE INFUSIONS
WHICH HAVE A BETTER PRESS

BUT ALL IN ALL A TOXIC COCKTAIL
BOTTOMS UP
AND HAIR LOSS TOO
HOW COULD I BE SO LUCKY

THE JOURNEY STARTS
A HESITANT STEP
THE DRINKS ARE SERVED

TO YOUR HEALTH GOOD SIR
I'LL DRINK TO THAT



THAT WORD

WHEN THE DOCTOR FIRST SAID THAT WORD
IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD STOPPED

A CLICHÉ MOST TIMES
EXCEPT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU

BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS TO YOU

ALL AROUND YOU
EVERYONE ELSE
WAS GOING ON
WITH THEIR JOURNEYS
ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DOCTOR'S TASK
OF TELLING ME
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME

AND AS HE SPOKE
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
WAS GIVEN TO MY JOURNEY

NO TRAVELING
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE
AT THIS TIME

WE NEED THE FOLLOWING TESTS
DONE IMMEDIATELY
TILL A WEEK OF TESTS
HAD GONE BY
WHICH WHEN READ
REQUIRED MORE TESTS
A BIOPSY
AND A SHUNT INSTALLED

IT'S ALL DONE NOW
AND I SIT NOW
AS IF BEFORE A MAGIC CUP
CHALICE
GRAIL
A MAGIC CUP OF HEALING POISON

IT REMINDS ME OF GRACE
DESTROYING SIN
BUT NOT THE SINNER

DESTROYING A PART OF ME
TO LEAVE ME WHOLE

THIS IS NOT THE CUP
THAT I WOULD CHOOSE TO DRINK

BUT THIS CUP IS A NECESSARY ONE
THAT I MUST DRINK

I FEEL LIKE PETER
WHEN JESUS SAID
SOMEONE ELSE WILL DRESS
AND LEAD YOU

SHELTER ME AS I DRINK THIS POTION
SURELY YOUR GOODNESS
AND KINDNESS
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH ME
AND I REST IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
LIKE BABY BIRD
BEING FED BY ITS MOTHER



THE C WORD

WHEN PILATE
FIRST SAID THE C WORD
TO YOU JESUS

DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART

IN OUR MUTUAL PASSIONS
I FIND MUCH THAT IS SIMILAR

STRUGGLING UP YOUR HILL
YOU FELL OFTEN

STRUGGLING UP MY HILL
I FIND MANY WEAK TIMES

YOU HAD SIMON
I HAVE THE DOCTOR

YOU HAD THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
I HAVE THE NURSES
WHO HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR WAILING RAGS
AND BECOME TRUE PROFESSIONALS

A TRIBUTE TO YOU
WHO RAISED THE STATUS OF WOMEN
BY BEING BORN

AND THEREBY SAYING
THAT ALL CREATION IS BEAUTIFUL
AND THEREFORE EQUAL

AND ON THE HILLTOP
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF…
THERE I'VE SAID THE WORD
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF MY SIN
YOU SET ME FREE
TO LIVE A HOLY AND A WHOLLY LIFE

AND ON MY HILLTOP
LET ME SAY WITH YOU
FATHER IT IS FINISHED
CURED OR AT LEAST IN REMISSION

AND WE SHALL WALK
OUR EASTER MORNINGS
SIDE BY SIDE

FRIENDS AS ALWAYS
WE HAVE WALKED
THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL
AND FOUND SUN SHINE


BUT FIRST
WHEN PILATE SAID THE C WORD TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
BECAUSE SO DID I


HOSPITAL GOWN


MY FRONT BEING PROPERLY HIDDEN
I SHALL NOT MENTION IT
BUT IN THE REAR
MY DERRIERE
PROVOKES LAUGHTER

AND AMUSEMENT

I DO NOT SHARE

MODESTY IS OUT THE WINDOW
ALAS ALACK ALAY
ANY ONE HAVE A SAFETY PIN
IT WOULD REALLY SAVE THE DAY
HOLDING CANE
AND CATHETER
I DO NOT HAVE A HAND
TO HIDE
MY
(FOR OTHERS)
AMUSING BUTT
AND SO I STAND A GAPING
FOR ALL THE WORLD TOO SEE
BUT SEE NO ONE’S LOOKING
AT MY
HEINIE
OR ME

DRUID ROCKS - THE TREATMENT ROOM

WE WERE SITTING ROUND THE WALLS
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE

ONE CHAIR MISSING
THROUGH WHICH THE PRIESTESS CAME
DISPENSING THE MAGIC FLUID
THE EYE OF THE NEWT
THE TAIL OF A DRAGON
THE HEALING POISON

AND WE SIT IN A RING
AROUND THE ROOM
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE

LIKE DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
PRAYING TO THE GODS
THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD STAY
OR THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD COME BACK

DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
TRYING TO PLACATE AN ANGRY GOD

DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
WHILE THE PRIESTESS
CHECKS OUR PULSE
OUR BLOOD PRESSURE
AND OUR TEMPERATURE
WHETHER WE ARE THIRSTY
OR ANY OTHER NEED
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING

I AM PART OF THAT RING
BUT MY GOD IS NOT ANGRY
WHERE TWO OR THREE…
FOR WE ARE GATHERED IN HIS NAME
EVEN THOUGH SOME OF US MAY NOT KNOW IT

DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
LOOKING PAST THE WITCH'S BREW
KNOWING THAT NO MATTER HOW DARK THE DAY
THE SUN IS SHINING
AND WILL NOT GO AWAY

PS 121/TAPS/ NIGHT PRAYER


ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH

HE DOES NOT SLEEP OR SLUMBER

WATCHING ALL THE NIGHT

HE IS MY GUIDE AND PATHFINDER

MY FOOT SHALL NOT SLIP

THE BREEZE COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

COOLING THE VALLEY AND DESERT BELOW

HE GUARDS ME FROM THE NIGHT DEMONS

AND THE EFFECTS OF THE MOON

HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS

HE WATCHES OVER ME

MY GOING IN AND GOING OUT

HE IS MY SHADE IN THE SUN

AND MY SHAWL FOR THE NIGHT CHILL

HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS

ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH

AND NEVER SLEEPS


WHO.....

WHERE HAVE I BEEN
WHERE HAVE I BEEN WANDERING
IN THE DESERT
IN THE WARRENS OF CHEMO
WHERE WORDS DO NOT MAKE SENSE
AND SENTENCES DO NOT CONNECT

BUT WHO HAS PRAYED FOR ME
WHEN I WAS ELSEWHERE
AND KNOW THE ANSWER IN THE QUESTION

BANDS OF ANGELS HOVERING
ALL THE SAINTS ARE GATHERED

BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST
NOT GUARANTEED SAFE JOURNEY
BIT JOINED WITH THAT GREAT COMPANY
GUARANTEED SAFE DELIVERY

WE ARE STILL IN TREATMENT
THE DOCTOR CLINGS TO ME
LIKE A LOVER HE WILL NOT LET GO
NEW TREATMENTS ARE TO FOLLOW
A LOW POINT THERE
I THOUGHT I WAS DONE
TILL I WAS TOLD
REST AWHILE
THEN WE START AGAIN
DOWN A DIFFERENT PATH
DOWN WHICH I WILL GO
JOYFULLY BURDENED
BY ALL WHO HOLD ME IN THEIR HEART
AND PRAYER

WHO PRAYS FOR YOU
WHEN YOU CANNOT PRAY
GOD DOES
AND ALL HIS FRIENDS


BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST

AND ALL THE ASSEMBLY SINGS
HOLY
HOLY
HOLY
A SOUND THAT RESONATES
WHEN ALL OTHER SOUNDS HAVE FADED


AMONG THE STONES


I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS THAT LITTER THE SHORE
AMONG THE POOLS THE OCEAN HAS LEFT
LITTLE TREASURE TROVES OF SEA LIFE
I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
IT IS PEACEFUL HERE
THE OCEAN IS A SIBILANT IN THE DISTANCE

I AM BETWEEN THE TIDES
I AM BETWEEN INFUSIONS
THE POURING IN OF MEDICINES
TO MAKE ME WELL

ODD WORD FOR ME
IT HAS ALWAYS MEANT
THE POURING IN OF THE SPIRIT
HIS INDWELLING IN ME
HIS WORKING LIKE THE MEDICINES
DRIVING OUT THE BAD

THE MEDICINE
IS GIVEN TO ME
WHEN I AM AT MY BEST
BETWEEN THESE TIMES
THERE COMES THE POINT
WHEN I AM AT MY WORST
PHYSICALLY
EMOTIONALLY
THEY CALL IT THE NADIR

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TROUBLED
AND UNSURE
ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE
PAIN AND SORROW
SHOULD I BE ANGRY AT MY FATE
SHOULD I ACCEPT IT
AND MAKE IT WORK
OR WILL I BE OVERWHELMED BY IT
IN TRUTH I OFTEN HAVE DONE ALL THREE
SOMETIMES SIMULTANEOUSLY

THE BEST SEEMS TO BE
TAKE IT AND MAKE IT WORK
TO TRY TO BE AT PEACE

SO I AM DOWN
AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS
QUIET AND PEACEFUL IN THIS PLACE
BETWEEN THE TIDES
BETWEEN INFUSIONS
I AM OPEN
TO THE WHISPERINGS OF THE SPIRIT
WHICH STRANGELY SOUND
LIKE THE SIBILANT SOUNDS OF THE SEA


GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI DIED AT THE AGE OF 44 AFTER INCREASING ILL HEALTH, DUE IN PART TO THE WAY HE MISTREATED BROTHER ASS, AS HE CALLED HIS BODY.




GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS
HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING

BROTHER MULE IF YOU DON'T MIND

AH WE'RE INTO PROPRIETY TODAY ARE WE

ONLY FITTING
AFTER THE INDIGNITIES YOU PUT ME THROUGH

I'M ONLY DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU
AND ME

WELL ANYWAY
I'D RATHER BE KNOWN AS BROTHER MULE TODAY

TODAY AND EVERYDAY IF YOU SO DESIRE

OH DON'T BE SO POMPOUS
SOMETIMES YOU ACT LIKE AN ASS

BROTHER ASS IF YOU DON'T MIND
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A CONVERSATION
RUNNING AROUND IN A CIRCLE
SHALL WE BEGIN AGAIN

GOOD MORNING BROTHER MULE

GOOD MORNING BROTHER SOUL

SHALL WE BEGIN BY TAKING OUR PILLS
AS A SIGN OF PROMISE FOR THE DAY
YOU SEEM DOWN BROTHER MULE

I HAVE A QUESTION

ASK AWAY
YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ME WILLY-NILLY
AS IF YOU DIDN'T CARE

YOU HAVE MY WORD
WE WILL NOT PART BY CHOICE
SHALL WE BEGIN OUR DAY

MISTY LAND


IN THIS MISTY LAND IN WHICH I DWELL
PRODUCT OF FATIGUE AND CHEMICALS
THE CAROLS COME
THE CAROLS GO
ECHOES NOT QUITE RIGHTLY HEARD
EXCEPT THE ONES
THAT TALK OF SIMPLER THINGS
A MAN
A WOMAN
AND A BABY
WORKING AGAINST THE ODDS
WITH HELP FROM GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE

THE CHRISTMAS STORY REDUCED
TO A WOMAN
HOLDING HER BABY
USING HER BODY TO KEEP IT WARM
WHILE THE HUSBAND TENDS THE FIRE
AND FEEDS HIS WIFE
THEIR MEAGER MEAL
BUT IN THE JOY OF THE BABY
THEY KNOW NO PRIVATION

I WANTED TO SAY
THAT MARY'S HANDLING OF THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE
WHAT YOU WANT OF ME GOD
DO
WHAT IS WITHIN ME
MAY IT BEAR FRUIT

WHAT I WANTED TO SAY
IS THAT
MY OWN ACCEPTANCE IS SIMILAR

BUT IT IS TOO BIG A STRETCH
INSTEAD I WANT TO SAY
YES TO GOD
NOT AS A SLAVE
BUT AS A LOVED ONE

YES TO GOD
THAT I WILL DILIGENTLY FOLLOW
WHERE I AM LED
AND WILLINGLY ACCEPT
THE OUTCOME

SO FROM THIS MISTY LAND
WHERE NOW I DWELL
WHERE I FEEL LIKE THE BABY
WARMED BY ALL THE LOVE AROUND ME

WHILE I WAIT FOR THE MIST TO CLEAR
I WISH YOU ALL OF YOU
THAT ARE HOLDING ME
CLOSE TO YOUR HEART
I WISH FOR YOU
THE BABY'S BLESSINGS
AND ASK
THAT HIS TINY HANDS
BEGRIME YOUR SOUL
WITH MARKS OF LOVE
PEACE
JOY AND UNDERSTANDING


ABC……

THE PROBLEM IS
THAT WHEN THE MEDICINE
IS WORKING
IT CLOUDS THE MIND
AND PRAYING BECOMES DIFFICULT
AND SOMETIMES INCOHERENT

THE LEGEND IS
THAT THE JEWISH SHEPHERD
COMING HOME FROM THE HILLS
TO SPEND SABBATH WITH HIS FAMILY
COUNTED HIS SHEEP AND FOUND ONE MISSING
SENDING HIS SON AHEAD WITH THE FLOCK
HE RETURNED TO THE HILL
RACING THE STAR
THAT TOLD THE BEGINNING OF SABBATH
HE FOUND THE SHEEP
AND LOST THE RACE
AND TRUE TO HIS FAITH
SPENT SABBATH ON THE HILLSIDE
WITH HIS SHEEP

ON COMING HOME
HIS WIFE ASKED
HOW ARE YOU HUSBAND
WELL HE SAID
IT WAS AN INTERESTING
DISQUIETING TIME
HOW SHE SAID

I WAS ANXIOUS TO FIND MY SHEEP
I WAS HURRYING AND SWEATING
THEN THE SWEAT WENT COLD
AND THE SHEEP AND I HUDDLED BY THE FIRE
NEVER SEEMING TO GET WARM
I SAW IN THE FLAME
YOUR BEAUTIFUL SABBATH MEAL
I WANTED TO BE HOME SO MUCH
IN THE WARMTH OF MY HOME AND FAMILY

I WANTED TO PRAY
BUT THE WORDS SPILLED OUT
IN AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE KALEIDOSCOPE
OF FEELING
OF WANTING
OF DISAPPOINTMENT

SO WHAT DID YOU DO MY HUSBAND

I SAID THE ALPHABET
FIGURING GOD COULD MAKE THE WORDS

THE PROBLEM IS
THE MEDICINE MAKES THE MIND GROW DIM

A
B
C
D…

AMEN


WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…



FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF POOR THINKING

WHEN I RECOVERED
AT LEAST TO EXTENT
I CAN RECOVER
DID I SAY THANK YOU
I WISH I COULD SAY YES

BUT LIKE A MAN
WHOSE VACATION
IS MARRED BY RAIN
AND FEELS HIS VACATION RUINED
FORGETS THE BEAUTIFUL DAYS HE DID HAVE
THEY MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE EXISTED

SO I THANK YOU LORD
FOR LIMITED RECOVERY
AND NO MIRACLES
EXCEPT THE DAILY BEAUTY OF EACH DAY

FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE NOT BEEN A GOOD SERVANT
BUT UNGRATEFUL
AND MAY BE AGAIN

BUT FOR NOW
THANK YOU LORD



WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…

REMEMBRANCE OF THE MILLENNIUM

REMEBRANCE OF THE MILLENNIUM

I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME THOUGHTS WITH YOU
ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM
WHICH WE CELEBRATED IN 1999

FIRST
THE WORD ITSELF
COMES FROM THE LATIN MILLE
WHICH MEANS ONE THOUSAND
AND ANNUS, WHICH MEANS YEAR
SO MILLENNIUM IS A THOUSAND YEARS.

THE THOUGHT OF MILLENNIUM
IS FOUND IN REVELATION, CHAPTER 20
IN WHICH JOHN WRITES.
"AND I SAW THE SOULS
OF THOSE WHO HAD NOT WORSHIPED THE BEAST
OR HIS STATUE,
NOR ACCEPTED HIS MARK ON THEIR FOREHEAD
OR THEIR HANDS
THEY CAME TO LIFE AGAIN,
AND THEY REIGNED WITH CHRIST
FOR A THOUSAND YEARS".

THE WORD CALENDAR
COMES FROM THE LATIN CALENDARIUM
WHICH MEANS A MONEYLENDERS ACCOUNT BOOK
THE LATIN WORD FOR THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
IS CALENDS

SO ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
(THE CALENDS)
YOUR DEBT WAS DUE TO THE MONEY LENDER
WHO KEPT HIS RECORDS OF YOUR PAYMENT
IN AN ACCOUNT BOOK
CALLED THE CALENDARIUM

A CALENDAR
IS A DEVICE FOR MEASURING TIME
BY DAY, WEEK, MONTH, YEAR, CENTURY
AND TEN CENTURIES IS A MILLENNIUM.

TO THE CHINESE WE ARE LIVING IN THE YEAR 4396
TO THE JEWS WE ARE LIVING IN YEAR 5760
TO THE MOSLEMS WE ARE LIVING IN THE YEAR 1377
AND TO THE CHRISTIAN WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN THE YEAR 1999

SO TO MUCH OF THE WORLD
IF IT WASN'T FOR THE Y2K COMPUTER PROBLEM
THERE WOULD BE NO MILLENNIUM PROBLEM.
AND FOR CHRISTIANS
IT IS NOT THE MILLENNIUM.
BECAUSE CHRIST WAS NOT BORN ON DEC 25
YEAR ONE AD, 2000 YEARS AGO



HE WAS BORN
MOST SCHOLARS BELIEVE
IN THE YEAR 6 BC
IN THE SPRING OR THE FALL

WHY DO WE SAY SPRING OR FALL.
BECAUSE THE BIBLE TELL US
THE SHEPHERDS WERE IN THE FIELDS ABIDING
AND IN PALESTINE
THAT MEANT SPRING OR FALL
IN THE WINTER IT WAS TOO COLD TO LIVE OUTDOORS
IN THE SUMMER THE GRASS WAS GREEN
CLOSE TO THEIR HOME
AND THEY DID NOT HAVE TO PASTURE THEIR FLOCKS
AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN
NEXT NEW YEARS EVE
MOST LIKELY NOTHING
DICK CLARK WILL HOST THE TIME SQUARE PARTY.
WE WILL ALL COUNT DOWN THE LAST TEN SECONDS,
BLOW HORNS,
KISS OUR LOVED ONES,
MAKE RESOLUTIONS
AND WONDER
WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF ME
AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD,
WHAT DOES HE REQUIRE OF A PEOPLE
WHO CANNOT EVEN GET HIS SON'S BIRTHDAY CORRECT

WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US
IS TO REMEMBER
THAT BEFORE TIME BEGAN
WHEN ALL THAT EXISTED
WAS ONLY ETERNAL GOD
THAT, THAT SAME GOD
LOVED US BEFORE HE CREATED US,
LOVED US KNOWING WE WOULD FAIL HIM,
LOVED US KNOWING WE WOULD SLAY HIS SON
LOVED US KNOWING HIS SON'S DEATH
WOULD AVENGE OUR GUILT

ALL HE ASKS IS OUR LOVE
THIS IS THE DEBT HE DEMANDS OF US
THIS IS THE DEBT
HE WILL MARK
IN HIS MONEY LENDERS BOOK
HIS CALENDARIUM

AND IN RETURN FOR THIS DEBT
THAT WE OWE HIM
HE WILL BE OUR FATHER
LONG AFTER TIME IS ENDED

HE WILL BE OUR SAVIOR
LONG AFTER TIME IS ENDED

HE WILL BE OUR COMFORTER
LONG AFTER TIME IS ENDED


FOR AS PAUL SAYS IN CORINTHIANS
NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME
NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

OR AS IN THE PSALMS
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE
LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT

SO THE MILLENNIUM
SHOULD NOT BE
A TIME OF FEAR FOR US

FOR THE GOD WHO LOVED US
BEFORE TIME BEGAN,
WHO LOVES US NOW
AS DAYS BECOME WEEKS
AS WEEKS BECOME MONTHS
AS MONTHS BECOME YEARS
AS YEARS BECOME CENTURIES,
AND AS CENTURIES BECOME MILLENNIUMS

THIS GOD
THROUGH ALL THE CIRCLE OF ETERNITY
PAST THE POINT WHERE TIME SHALL CEASE
WILL LOVE US STILL

SO WE SHOULD EMBRACE GOD'S LOVE
NOT WITH FEAR
THAT GOD IS COMING TO PUNISH US
AT THE START OR END OF A MILLENNIUM

BUT RATHER WE SHOULD RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE
AS A FAVORED CHILD
WHO KNOWS THAT GOD’S HEART
AND CAPACITY FOR LOVE
IS GREATER THAN HIS OR HER ABILITY
TO COMPREHEND IT

SO ON Y2K
COMPUTERS MAY CRASH
BUT GOD'S LOVE
AND GOD'S WORD
WILL GO ON
AS IF IT NEVER HAPPENED


f. a. vollmer

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE

WARNINGWhen I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go
and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy
and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops
and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked
and surprised
When suddenly I am old,
and start to wear purple.

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARDEN

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarden
Most of what I really need to know
about how to live,
what to do,
and how to be,
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom
was not at the top
of the graduate school mountain,
but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and draw and paint and sing and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

THE EASTER SERMON OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom
Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD)IS THERE ANYONE WHO IS A DEVOUT LOVER OF GOD?LET THEM ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT FESTIVAL!IS THERE ANYONE WHO IS A GRATEFUL SERVANT?LET THEM REJOICE AND ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THEIR LORD!ARE THERE ANY WEARY WITH FASTING? LET THEM NOW RECEIVE THEIR WAGES!IF ANY HAVE TOILED FROM THE FIRST HOUR, LET THEM RECEIVE THEIR DUE REWARD;IF ANY HAVE COME AFTER THE THIRD HOUR, LET HIM WITH GRATITUDE JOIN IN THE FEAST!AND HE THAT ARRIVED AFTER THE SIXTH HOUR, LET HIM NOT DOUBT; FOR HE TOO SHALL SUSTAIN NO LOSS.AND IF ANY DELAYED UNTIL THE NINTH HOUR, LET HIM NOT HESITATE; BUT LET HIM COME TOO.AND HE WHO ARRIVED ONLY AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, LET HIM NOT BE AFRAID BY REASON OF HIS DELAY.FOR THE LORD IS GRACIOUS AND RECEIVES THE LAST EVEN AS THE FIRST.HE GIVES REST TO HIM THAT COMES AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, AS WELL AS TO HIM THAT TOILED FROM THE FIRST.TO THIS ONE HE GIVES, AND UPON ANOTHER HE BESTOWS.HE ACCEPTS THE WORKS AS HE GREETS THE ENDEAVOR.THE DEED HE HONORS AND THE INTENTION HE COMMENDS.LET US ALL ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THE LORD! FIRST AND LAST ALIKE RECEIVE YOUR REWARD; RICH AND POOR, REJOICE TOGETHER!SOBER AND SLOTHFUL, CELEBRATE THE DAY!YOU THAT HAVE KEPT THE FAST, AND YOU THAT HAVE NOT, REJOICE TODAY FOR THE TABLE IS RICHLY LADEN!FEAST ROYALLY ON IT, THE CALF IS A FATTED ONE.LET NO ONE GO AWAY HUNGRY. PARTAKE, ALL, OF THE CUP OF FAITH.ENJOY ALL THE RICHES OF HIS GOODNESS!LET NO ONE GRIEVE AT HIS POVERTY, FOR THE UNIVERSAL KINGDOM HAS BEEN REVEALED.LET NO ONE MOURN THAT HE HAS FALLEN AGAIN AND AGAIN; FOR FORGIVENESS HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.LET NO ONE FEAR DEATH, FOR THE DEATH OF OUR SAVIOR HAS SET US FREE.HE HAS DESTROYED IT BY ENDURING IT.HE DESTROYED HELL WHEN HE DESCENDED INTO IT.HE PUT IT INTO AN UPROAR EVEN AS IT TASTED OF HIS FLESH.ISAIAH FORETOLD THIS WHEN HE SAID,"YOU, O HELL, HAVE BEEN TROUBLED BY ENCOUNTERING HIM BELOW."HELL WAS IN AN UPROAR BECAUSE IT WAS DONE AWAY WITH.IT WAS IN AN UPROAR BECAUSE IT IS MOCKED.IT WAS IN AN UPROAR, FOR IT IS DESTROYED.IT IS IN AN UPROAR, FOR IT IS ANNIHILATED.IT IS IN AN UPROAR, FOR IT IS NOW MADE CAPTIVE.HELL TOOK A BODY, AND DISCOVERED GOD. IT TOOK EARTH, AND ENCOUNTERED HEAVEN.IT TOOK WHAT IT SAW, AND WAS OVERCOME BY WHAT IT DID NOT SEE.O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?O HELL, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?CHRIST IS RISEN, AND YOU, O DEATH, ARE ANNIHILATED!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THE EVIL ONES ARE CAST DOWN!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THE ANGELS REJOICE!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND LIFE IS LIBERATED!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THE TOMB IS EMPTIED OF ITS DEAD;FOR CHRIST HAVING RISEN FROM THE DEAD,IS BECOME THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.TO HIM BE GLORY AND POWER FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN!

SERMON - THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT

THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT



I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU NOW,
THINGS ABOUT WHICH I KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

IN SCRIPTURE STUDY WE ARE TOLD
THAT ANYTHING WHICH WAS ORDINARY IN LIFE
LIKE EATING, DRINKING, WALKING, SLEEPING
WERE NOT MENTIONED
ONLY WHATEVER WAS CONSIDERED
BY THE SCRIPTURE WRITERS
AS EXTRAORDINARY WERE MENTIONED.

LET ME TELL YOU OF THINGS
I FEEL FROM THE HEART
ABOUT THOSE SOME THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

FIRST MY HEART TELLS ME
THAT THE FIRST PERSON JESUS SAW
AFTER HIS RESURRECTION
WAS HIS MOTHER.
I SAY THIS
NOT FROM MY HEAD
BUT FROM MY HEART,
FROM OUT OF MY OWN EXPERIENCE.

I CALLED MY MOTHER
WHEN SHE WAS ALIVE
WEEKLY,
NOT SO MUCH TO ASK HOW SHE WAS,
BUT TO TELL HER
THAT I WAS WELL.
SHE WORRIED ABOUT OUR WEATHER,
THE SNOW, THE STORMS,
WERE WE WARM, WAS I HAPPY.
NO MATTER
THAT SHE HER SELF
WAS SICK,
SHE WANTED TO KNOW
THAT HER SON WAS SAFE.
SO I CALLED HER AND
TOLD HER
THAT I WAS MUCH LOVED
BY MY WIFE
AND BY THE MEMBERS
OF THE CHURCH TO WHICH I BELONGED.
AND MY MOTHER RESTED EASY.
HER SON WAS SAFE.

MY HEART SAYS,
JESUS SAW HIS MOTHER
TO TELL HER HE WAS WELL.


SECOND MY HEART TELLS ME
WHAT JESUS SAID TO PETER
WHEN THEY FIRST MET AFTER THE RESURRECTION.

IN MY HEART THE CONVERSATION GOES LIKE THIS.

FORGIVE ME LORD.
PETER, FEED MY LAMBS.
I AM TRULY SORRY LORD.
PETER, FEED MY SHEEP.
HOW CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME LORD.
PETER I LOVE YOU.


I HAVE SHARED WITH YOU THOUGHTS
ABOUT WHICH I KNOW NOTHING.

I DO NOT KNOW WHEN JESUS MET HIS MOTHER,
OR WHAT JESUS SAID TO PETER.

BUT THIS I DO KNOW.
THAT THERE ARE THREE THINGS I AM SURE OF.
THEY ARE.

THAT JESUS LOVED HIS MOTHER.

THAT JESUS LOVED PETER,
BEFORE, DURING AND EVER AFTER HIS BETRAYAL.

AND THAT JESUS LOVES US,
NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE
OUR JOURNEY HAS
TAKEN TO THIS MOMENT.
NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE
OUR JOURNEY WILL TAKE
AS WE GO ON.
JESUS HAS, DOES AND ALWAYS WILL LOVE US.

FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THOMAS.

POOR THOMAS,
NO MATTER HOW LONG HE WOULD LIVE
OR HOW MUCH HE WOULD ACCOMPLISH
HE WOULD BE KNOWN AS DOUBTING THOMAS.

MY HEART SAYS
I WOULD HAVE LIKED
TO HAVE BEEN LIKE MARY MAGDALENE
WHO LOVED JESUS WITHOUT QUESTION,
WHO RAN FROM THE TOMB
WITH SUCH EXCITEMENT
THE MEN THOUGHT HER HYSTERICAL.
I WOULD HAVE
LIKED TO HAVE BEEN LIKE MARY.

BUT MY ENGINEERS HEAD
SAYS I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS.

MY HEAD SAYS,
IT MUST BE PROVEN IN THE LAB,
IN THE WIND TUNNEL,
BY TEST FLYING THE AIRPLANE.

IT IS THE WAY OF MEN TO MEASURE.
THE BOOKKEEPER ADDS HIS NUMBERS,
THE SHOPPER FIGURES COST,
THE STOREKEEPER ADS PROFIT,
THE LAWYER ASSESSES LOSS,
THE MOTHER COUNTS THE MEALS,
THE TRAVELER WONDERS HOW FAR.

WE MEASURE THINGS AS MEN.
EVEN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL POEMS
IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SPEAKS OF LOVE THIS WAY.

HOW DO I LOVE THEE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS.
I LOVE THEE TO THE DEPTH AND BREADTH AND HEIGHT
MY SOUL CAN REACH WHEN FEELING OUT OF SIGHT
FOR THE ENDS OF BEING AND IDEAL GRACE.
MEN MEASURE.
PERHAPS IT'S BECAUSE,
BY SIN, DEATH
CAME INTO THE WORLD.
AND THE DAYS OF OUR LIFE ARE LIMITED.
SO WE MEASURE
EVERYTHING AGAINST THE FINAL NIGHTFALL.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS.

AND JESUS SAYS,
THAT'S ALL RIGHT
I LIKE YOU, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.
I WOULD HAVE YOU BETTER,
BUT I LOVE YOU,
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.


I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS,
I WOULD HAVE LIKED
TO HAVE BEEN
LIKE MARY MAGDALENE
WHO LOVED JESUS PASSIONATELY,
WITHOUT QUESTIONS.

BUT LISTEN, TO WHAT HE SAYS TO HER,
IN HIS HASTE, TO BE WITH US.
HE SAYS TO HER
DO NOT CLING TO ME,
BUT GO TELL MY DISCIPLES,
I AM COMING".

HE WAS EAGER
TO BE WITH THE ONES
WHO NEEDED HIS LOVE,
THE EMPTY, BROKEN, HURTING PEOPLE.
MARY KNEW SHE WAS LOVED,
THE OTHERS STILL WERE IN DARKNESS.
HE HAD TO BE WITH THEM.

WITH PETER WHO BETRAYED HIM
WITH THOMAS WHO DOUBTED HIM
WITH ALL THOSE WHO HAD RUN AWAY.

GOD ALWAYS SEEMS TO PICK
BROKEN PEOPLE FOR HIS WORK.

HE PICKED MOSES WHO STUTTERED
DAVID AN ADULTERER AND MURDERER
JACOB WHO STOLE AND CHEATED
NOAH WHO DRANK AND GOT DRUNK

GOD'S ALMOST PEOPLE.

HE SAYS,
WITH YOU I WANT TO BE.
MY ALMOST PEOPLE.

WHY GOD,
WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WITH US.
WE ARE BETRAYERS, DOUBTERS, IMPERFECT,
ALMOST PEOPLE.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WITH US.

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, HE SAYS.

IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN WE SAY,
HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE US GOD.

IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN
HE REPLIES, THIS MUCH. (EXTEND ARMS)

PRAYERS

Christ has no body now
on earth but yours; no hands
but yours; no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through
which He is to go about doing
good; yours are the hands with
which He is to bless people now."
St. Teresa of Avila

.................................................................

Down In The River To Pray
Traditional
Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O sisters, let's go down. Let'go down. Come on down.O sisters, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 2:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Robe and Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O brothers, let's go down. Let's go down. Come on down.Come on brothers, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O fathers, let's go down. Let's go down. Come on down.O fathers, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O mothers, let's go down. Come on down. Don't ya wanna go down?Come on mothers, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O sinners, let's go down. Let's go down. Come on down.O sinners, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

..........................................................................................................................

EVENING PRAYER

OPENING MEDITATION

COME
COME TO THE RESTING PLACE
COME TO THE GARDEN
LEAVE ALL TROUBLES OUTSIDE
NO ONE WILL STEAL THEM
COME TO THE GARDEN
REST
BE AT PEACE
BE AT PEACE
COME TO THE GARDEN
AND SEE GOD’S FACE

PSALM 129

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA.

OUT OF THE DEPTHS
I HAVE CRIED TO YOU,OH LORD:
LORD, HEAR MY VOICE.LET YOUR EARS BE ATTENTIVE
TO THE SOUND OF MY PLEADING.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA

IF YOU TAKE NOTICE OF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, LORD –
LORD, WHO WOULD BE LEFT?BUT WITH YOU IS FORGIVENESS,
AND FOR THIS WE REVERE YOU.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA
I RELY ON YOU, LORD,
MY SPIRIT RELIES ON YOUR PROMISE;MY SOUL HOPES IN THE LORD,
MORE THAN THE WATCHMAN WAITING FOR DAYBREAK.
KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIAMORE THAN THE WATCHMAN
WAITS FOR DAYBREAK,
LET ISRAEL HOPE IN THE LORD:

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA
FOR WITH THE LORD
THERE IS KINDNESS
AND ABUNDANT REDEMPTION.HE HIMSELF WILL REDEEM ISRAEL
FROM ALL ITS TRANSGRESSIONS.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIAGLORY BE TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW, AND EVER SHALL BE, WORLD WITHOUT END. AMEN.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA

SONG - SANCTUARY


ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD,
YOU HATE NOTHING
YOU HAVE MADE
AND FORGIVE THE SINS
OF ALL WHO ARE PENITENT:
CREATE
AND MAKE IN US
NEW AND CONTRITE HEARTS,
THAT WE,
WORTHILY LAMENTING OUR SINS
AND ACKNOWLEDGING OUR WRETCHEDNESS,
MAY OBTAIN OF YOU,
THE GOD OF ALL MERCY, PERFECT REMISSION
AND FORGIVENESS;
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD,
WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER.
AMEN.

MEDITATION

WHEN YOU WASH YOUR FACE TONIGHT
REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM
SLEEP WELL
KNOWING YOU ARE FORGIVEN
(SPRINKLE WITH WATER)

A READING - EZECHIEL 34

THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD SAYS:
I MYSELF WILL SEARCH FOR MY SHEEP
AND LOOK AFTER THEM. 12
AS A SHEPHERD LOOKS AFTER HIS SCATTERED FLOCK
WHEN HE IS WITH THEM,
SO WILL I LOOK AFTER MY SHEEP.
I WILL RESCUE THEM FROM ALL THE PLACES
WHERE THEY WERE SCATTERED
ON A DAY OF CLOUDS AND DARKNESS. 13
I WILL BRING THEM OUT FROM THE NATIONS
AND GATHER THEM FROM THE COUNTRIES,
AND I WILL BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LAND.
I WILL PASTURE THEM ON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL,
IN THE RAVINES
AND IN ALL THE SETTLEMENTS IN THE LAND. 14
I WILL TEND THEM IN A GOOD PASTURE,
AND THE MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS OF ISRAEL
WILL BE THEIR GRAZING LAND.
THERE THEY WILL LIE DOWN IN GOOD GRAZING LAND,
AND THERE THEY WILL FEED IN A RICH PASTURE
ON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL. 15


I MYSELF WILL TEND MY SHEEP
AND HAVE THEM LIE DOWN, DECLARES THE SOVEREIGN LORD . 16
I WILL SEARCH FOR THE LOST
AND BRING BACK THE STRAYS.
I WILL BIND UP THE INJURED
AND STRENGTHEN THE WEAK,
BUT THE SLEEK AND THE STRONG
I WILL DESTROY.
I WILL SHEPHERD THE FLOCK WITH JUSTICE.

SONG

LORDS PRAYER

WHEN YOU PRAY…

WHEN YOU PRAY
SAY
OUR FATHER
MOTHER
KEEPER OF THE DAWN
GATE OPENER FOR THE SUN
HE WHO WALKS BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS
HE WHO WATCHES THROUGH THE NIGHT
HE WHO DWELLS IN OUR HOME
FATHER
MOTHER
EVER THERE

TO WHOM OR WHAT
CAN WE GIVE GLORY
CAN ANYTHING WE DO
ADD TO YOU
YOU ARE SELF CONTAINED
WITHIN YOURSELF
BUT IN A SPECIAL WAY
YOU ARE INCOMPLETE
WITHOUT US
SO TO YOUR COMPLETENESS
WE ADD OUR LOVE
AND WE SING
HOLY HOLY HOLY
IS YOUR NAME

SHOW YOUR POWER
AND ESTABLISH YOUR KINGDOM
SHOW YOUR POWER
AND ESTABLISH YOUR WILL
BUT IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE
FOR IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS
THE MEANS TO ESTABLISH YOUR KINGDOM
THE MEANS TO ESTABLISH YOUR WILL
ON EARTH
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN


GIVE US TODAY
FOOD FOR TODAY
MINDFUL OF OTHER'S NEEDS
MINDFUL THAT EVERYMAN
IS OUR BROTHER
MINDFUL THAT FOOD STORED
MAY NOT LAST
MINDFUL THAT WE SHOULD SHARE OUR SURPLUS
THAT WE SHOULD TRUST YOU FOR TOMORROW
GIVE US TODAY
OUR DAILY BREAD

DO NOT PUT US TO THE TEST
FOR OFTEN WE HAVE FAILED THE TEST
LIKE MOSES WE TAP THE ROCK TWICE
UNLIKE MOSES WE TAPPED IT MORE THAN TWICE
WHEN WE REMEMBERED TO TAP IT AT ALL
UNLIKE JOB
WE OFTEN CURSE
AND QUESTION
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
BUT ALSO WHERE WE FIND EVIL
LET US RESIST IT
FOLLOWING THE DICTATES
WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS

TO ALL THE ABOVE
WE SAY AMEN


LET US PRAY THE PRAYER THAT JESUS TAUGHT US

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
THY KINGDOM COME.
THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS,
AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM,
AND THE POWER,
AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. AMEN.

SONG - NOW THE DAY IS OVER

LET US PRAY.
LORD OUR GOD,
WE ARE TIRED BY THE WORK OF THE DAY.
REFRESH US WITH PEACEFUL SLEEP
AND, FOREVER RENEWED
BY THE HELP YOU GIVE,
LET US ALWAYS BE DEDICATED TO YOU
IN BODY AND MIND.THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

MAY THE ALMIGHTY LORD GRANT US A QUIET NIGHT
AND A PERFECT END.

AMEN

"KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD,
WITH THOSE WHO WORK,
OR WATCH, OR WEEP THIS NIGHT,
AND GIVE YOUR ANGELS
CHARGE OVER THOSE WHO SLEEP.
TEND THE SICK, LORD CHRIST;
GIVE REST TO THE WEARY,
BLESS THE DYING,
SOOTHE THE SUFFERING,
PITY THE AFFLICTED,
SHIELD THE JOYOUS;
AND ALL FOR YOUR LOVE'S SAKE. AMEN."

THE ALMIGHTY AND MERCIFUL LORD
THE FATHER
THE SON
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
BLESS US AND KEEP US
AMEN

........................................................................................................................................

Reading IV: Eivind Josef Berggrav (1884 - 1959)
Prayer in times of great need has its difficulties. It is especially difficult when one is writhing in agony. It seems impossible to pray. At the most one can protest, and more easily accuse God. I dare, in the name of Jesus Christ, to say: Yes, do it! Accuse God face to face if it is impossible for you to approach him in any other way. Do you think that God is unable to bear it? I go so far as to say that I believe He will understand you.... Speak out to God, break through all false ideas of piety, and come to God Himself.... All that matters is that you go straight away to God.... Personal need, family need, national need—if it becomesa prayer, even though only a cry to begin with, even though only a momentary sigh—if only it is directed towards God, it will give deliverance. Need which becomes bitterness creates a canker. Need which becomes a prayer creates life. The pain does not disappear. But the rose springs from just the same root as the thorns. This is confirmed by God’s word: “God makes good just what you thought bad.” Salvation springs from exactly that which seemed bad. It cannot happen if we simply clench our fists or engage in chance speculations. It happens, on the contrary, whenwe know our clear need for God.
“A Little While,” a sermon preached in Kristiansand Cathedral, Nov.
1941, about eighteen months after the Nazi occupation of Norway

...........................................................................................................

A Prayer In Old Age
Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
\Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.
Keep my mind from the recital of endless details—give me wings to come to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains—they are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Help me to endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint—some of them are so hard to live with—but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, 0 Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Make me thoughtful—but not moody: helpful, but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
Amen.
17th century nun

REFLECTIONS

Poem: “Blessings” by Ronald Wallace from Long for This World: New and Selected Poems. Copyright University of Pittsburgh Press. Reprinted with permission.

Blessings

occur.
Some days I find myself
putting my foot in
the same stream twice;
leading a horse to water
and making him drink.
I have a clue.
I can see the forest
for the trees.

All around me people
are making silk purses
out of sows’ ears,
getting blood from turnips,
building Rome in a day.
There’s a business
like show business.
there’s something new
under the sun.

Some days misery
no longer loves company;
it puts itself out of its.
There’s rest for the weary.
There’s turning back.
There are guarantees.
I can be serious.
I can mean that.
You can quite put your finger on it.

............................................................................................

Quotations from Frederick Buechner’s The Faces of Jesus - A Life story,
Paraclete Press, July 2005, ISDN 1-55725-455-9


In his own way, Paul would have perhaps understood either view, Paul as the only one who ever dared speak of the foolishness of God, of the crucifixion itself as folly, of the folly of his own preaching. If the world is sane, then Jesus is mad as a hatter and the Last supper is the Mad Tea Party. The world says, Mind your own business, and Jesus says, There is not such thing as your own business. The world says, Follow the wisest course and be a success, and Jesus says, Follow me and be crucified. The world says, Drive carefully---the life you save may be your own—and Jesus says, Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. The world says, Law ands order, and Jesus says, Love. The world says, get and Jesus says, give. In terms of the world’s sanity, Jesus is crazy as a coot, and anybody who thinks he can follow him without being a little crazy too is laboring less under a cross than under a delusion.

“We are fools for Christ’s sake,” Paul says, faith says---the faith that ultimately the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, the lunacy of Jesus saner than the grim sanity of the world. Through the eyes of faith too, the Last Supper, though on one level a tragic farewell and failure---farce even---is also, at its deepest level, the foreshadowing of great hope and the bodying forth of deep mystery. Frail, falliable, foolish as he knows the disciples to be, Jesus feeds them with himself. The bread is his flesh, the wine his blood, and they are all of them including Judas to eat and drink him down. They are to take his life into themselves and come alive with it, to be his hands and feet in a world where he no longer has hands and feet, to feed his lambs. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Paul quotes him as saying. In eating and the bread and drinking the wine, they are to remember him, Jesus tells them, and so remember him not merely in the sense of letting their minds drift back to him in the dim past but in the sense of recalling him to the immediate present. They are to remember him the way when we remember people we love who have died, our hearts kindle to the living reality of their presence.

In its fullest sense, remembering is far more than a long backward glance, and in its fullest sense the symbol of bread and wine is far more than symbol.


As Albert Schweitzer wrote at the end of The Quest for the Histortical Jesus, “He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside. He comes to those men who knew him not. He speaks to us the same words: “Follow thou me!” and sets us to the tasks which He has us to fulfill for our time. He commands, and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in their toils, the conflicts, the sufferings, which they shall pass through in His Fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.”


Thus for Jesus the only distinction among people that ultimately matters seems to be not whether they are churchgoers or non-churchgoers, Catholics or Protestants, Muslims or Jews, but do they or do they not love---love not in the sense of an emotion so much as in the sense of an act of will, the loving act of willing another’s good even, if need arise, at the expense of their own. “Hell is the suffering of being unable to love,” said old Father Zossima or, as John puts it in his first epistle, “He who does not love abides in death.”


For Paul the Resurrection was no metaphor; it was the power of God. And when he spoke of Jesus as raised from the dead, he meant Jesus alive and at large in the world not as some shimmering ideal of human goodness but as the very power of life itself. If the life that was in Jesus died on the cross; if the love that was in him came to an end when his heart stopped beating; if the truth that he spoke was no more if no less timeless than the great truths of any time; if all that he had in him to give to world was a little glimmer of light to make bearable the inexorable approach of endless night---then all was despair.


Glory be to thee, Father
Glory be to thee, Word. Glory be to thee, Grace. Amen
Glory be to thy glory. Amen
I would be saved, and I would save. Amen
I would be loosed, and I would loose. Amen
I would be wounded, and I would wound. Amen
I would be born, and I would bear. Amen
I would eat, and would be eaten. Amen
I would hear, and I would be heard. Amen
Grace danceth, I would pipe. Dance ye all. Amen
I would mourn, Lament ye all. Amen
Whoso danceth not, knoweth not what cometh to pass. Amen
I would flee, and I would stay. Amen
I would adorn, and I would be adorned. Amen
I would be united, and I would unite. Amen
A house I have not, and I have houses. Amen
A lamp am I to thee that beholdest me. Amen
A mirror am I to thee that perceivest me. Amen
A door am I to thee that knowest at me. Amen
A way am I to thee a wayfarer. Amen
THUS, MY BELOVED,
HAVING DANCED WITH US,
THE LORD WENT FORTH.

.........................................................................................................

More people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason. That, my friends, that is true perversion.
Harvey Milk

..........................................................................................................

Voice of the Day: Charles Summers
The story goes that a North American missionary went out one day to preach in a barrio of a Brazilian city. Taking John 3:16 as his text, he stood on the corner proclaiming the love of God for all people. A crowd gathered. One man in the crowd interrupted the missionary, 'You are wrong, Senor, God doesn't love us. But the preacher was adamant. Oh, yes. God does love you. God gives all good things, including the Christ, for you. The Brazilian, waving his arms at the squalor surrounding him, replied angrily, Then somebody has been messing with the love of God! If God gave the earth for all people to share and enjoy, someone has been messing with God's plans.

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY


TODAY
IS THE THIRD SUNDAY
AFTER THE EPIPHANY.
EPIPHANY IS A GREEK WORD,
WHICH AT ITS ROOT
MEANS TO SHOW.

EPIPHANY IS ALSO
THAT TIME IN THE CHURCH YEAR
FROM CHRISTMAS
TO BEGINNING OF LENT.

AS IT APPLIES TO THE LIFE OF JESUS
IT TREATS OF THOSE EVENTS
WHEN CHRIST
WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW
HIS KINGSHIP
AND HIS DIVINITY.

ON JANUARY SIXTH
WE HAD THE FEAST
OF THE EPIPHANY ITSELF
WHEN THE WISEMEN
FOLLOWING A STAR
CAME TO SEE HIM.

ON JANUARY SEVENTH
WE HAD THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
WHEN GOD THE FATHER
DECLARED
THAT JESUS WAS HIS SON.

ON JANUARY FOURTEENTH
WE HAD THE WEDDING AT CANA
WHERE JESUS TURNED WATER INTO WINE.

AND TODAY WE REMEMBER
WHEN JESUS
PREACHED FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN HIS HOMETOWN NAZARETH.

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY.
MOST OF IT IS TRUE.
THE REST IS A PARABLE.
JESUS TOLD PARABLES.
THEY WERE
AND ARE
STORIES TO TEACH A LESSON.

JESUS
FILLED WITH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
WAS PREACHING IN GALILEE.
GOING FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE.
AND THE PEOPLE FELT HOPE
AND JOY
IN HIS MESSAGE
BUT THE RULERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE
AND THE WEALTHY AND IMPORTANT
FELT THREATENED

HE WAS NOW IN NAZARETH
AND HE AND HIS MOTHER
WERE WALKING TO THE SYNAGOGUE.
AT THE DOOR THEY PARTED.
MARY WENT TO SIT WITH THE WOMEN
BECAUSE THE SYNAGOGUE WAS SEGREGATED.

AT THE CENTER OF THE SYNAGOGUE SAT
ALL THE IMPORTANT MEN OF THE VILLAGE.
AROUND THEM SAT
THE OTHER MEN OF THE VILLAGE.
THE WOMEN WERE IGNORED
THEY WERE NOT IMPORTANT.
IN FACT THE JEWISH LEADERS SAID
THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER
FOR THE BIBLE TO BE BURNED
RATHER THAN BE TAUGHT TO A WOMAN.

THIS WAS THE WORLD JESUS LIVED IN
AND HE DID NOT LIKE IT.
HE ALSO DID NOT LIKE THE PRAYER
THAT JEWISH MEN SAID DAILY.
THEY SAID
BLESSED BE GOD
THAT HE HAS NOT MADE ME
A GENTILE.
BLESSED BE GOD
THAT HE HAS NOT MADE ME
A WOMAN.
BLESSED BE GOD
THAT HE HAS NOT MADE ME
A SLAVE.
THIS ALSO BOTHERED JESUS.
IT WAS NOT THE WORLD
THAT HE
OR HIS FATHER WANTED.

LATER PAUL
IN GALATIANS
WOULD ANSWER THAT PRAYER
WITH A NEW ONE
THAT REFLECTED WHAT JESUS THOUGHT
WHEN HE WROTE

AS MANY OF YOU
AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
HAVE CLOTHED YOURSELVES
WITH CHRIST.

THEREFORE
THERE IS NO LONGER
JEW OR GREEK,
THERE IS NO LONGER
SLAVE OR FREE,
THERE IS NO LONGER
MALE AND FEMALE;

FOR ALL OF YOU
ARE ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.

BUT THAT PRAYER WAS WRITTEN
AFTER JESUS HAD LIVED AND DIED.
BUT TODAY IN OUR STORY
JESUS IS BEGINNING HIS JOURNEY.
AS HE LOOKS AT THE ASSEMBLY
HE IS SADDENED
THAT THEY HAVE WANDERED
SO FAR FROM HIS FATHER'S DREAM.
HE OPENS THE SCRIPTURES
AND READING FROM ISAIAH
HE DECLARES IN A STRONG VOICE
THE NEW/OLD VISION OF THE FATHER
FOR HIS PEOPLE.

TODAY HE SAYS
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME.
HE HAS APPOINTED ME.
HE HAS APPOINTED ME
TO BRING GOOD NEWS
TO THE POOR.
HE HAS APPOINTED ME
TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO CAPTIVES
HE HAS APPOINTED ME
TO TELL THE BLIND
THAT THEY SHALL SEE.
TO TELL THE DOWNTRODDEN
THEIR BURDEN IS LIFTED
AND TO TELL
ALL PEOPLE
THAT THE TIME FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS
IS NOW.

JESUS CLOSES THE BOOK.
LOOKS AT ALL THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE,
LOOKS AT ALL THE NOT SO IMPORTANT PEOPLE
LOOKS AT HIS MOTHER
AND ALL THE OTHER WOMEN
WHO DID NOT COUNT
AND SAYS
TODAY
THIS SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED
IN YOUR HEARING
MEANING THAT THE TIME FOR CHANGE
WAS NOW
AND FOR THAT REASON
JESUS WAS PREACHING.
I HOPE MY SERMON
IS BETTER RECEIVED
THAN JESUS' WAS
BECAUSE WHEN JESUS WAS FINISHED
HE WAS CHASED OUT OF TOWN.
BUT THAT'S NEXT WEEK SERMON
SO TUNE IN.

BUT THE RICH MEN AND THE IMPORTANT MEN
AND THE LEADERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE
THOUGHT
WHY WORRY ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT.
ABOUT THOSE WHO COUNT FOR NOTHING.
THE OTHER MEN WONDERED
WHY THE FUSS,
LIFE IS GOING ON OK FOR ME.

IT TOOK PAUL
AGAIN IN TODAY'S LESSON
TO PUT WORDS TO JESUS' DREAM
WHEN HE WRITES IN CORINTHIANS.
THAT THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
IS LIKE A BODY,
MANY PARTS
ONE BODY.

AND THAT THAT
BODY IS THE BODY OF CHRIST.

AS PAUL WRITES
FOR IN ONE SPIRIT
WE WERE ALL BAPTIZED
INTO ONE BODY.
NO MORE JEW OR GREEK,
SLAVE OR FREE
BUT ONE BODY.

AND IN THAT BODY
IF ONE PART SUFFERS
THE WHOLE BODY SUFFERS.
JUST AS IF
ONE PART OF THE BODY IS HONORED
THE WHOLE BODY IS HONORED.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR.
THIS IS JESUS' DREAM
THAT WE CARE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR
AS IF HE WERE CHRIST.
THAT WE CARE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR
BECAUSE HE IS ONE WITH US
IN CHRIST'S BODY.

SO JESUS LOOKING AT THE WORLD
THROUGH OUR EYES
AND SEEING
THAT IT IS NOT THE WORLD
THAT HIS FATHER
OR HE WANTS.
ASKS US TO SAY WITH HIM
AS HE SAID IN NAZARETH ON THAT DAY.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON US.
HE HAS APPOINTED US.
HE HAS APPOINTED US
TO BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR.
HE HAS APPOINTED US
TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY
TO CAPTIVES
HE HAS APPOINTED US
TO TELL THE BLIND
THAT THEY SHALL SEE.
TO TELL THE DOWNTRODDEN
THEIR BURDEN IS LIFTED
TO TELL ALL PEOPLE
THAT THE TIME
FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS
IS NOW. SO I ASK YOU
(PUT IN NAME)
WILL YOU HELP JESUS
TO MAKE THE WORLD
THE WAY HE WANTS IT

RESPONSE
I WILL AND I ASK GOD TO HELP ME.

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT - SERIES A

SECOND LENT

SERIES A



LET ME START BY TELLING YOU A FEW STORIES

THE WORD CALENDAR
COMES FROM THE LATIN WORD CALENDS
WHICH MEANS THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
SO A CALENDAR
IS A DEVICE
THAT HELPS PEOPLE
FIND THE FIRST OF THE MONTH

THE WORD CALENDS
ALSO MEANS
THE COIN PURSE OF THE MONEY LENDER
WHO WOULD COME BY
ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
WITH HIS PURSE OPEN
TO RECEIVE THE PAYMENTS DUE HIM

DURING THE ADVENT SEASON
THAT PRECEDED THE MILLENIUM
I WAS ASKED TO PREACH
ON THE MILLENIUM
THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF FEAR
IN THE COMMUNITY
ONE FEAR WAS THAT THE COMPUTERS WOULD FAIL
THE OTHER WAS A STRONG UNDERCURRENT
THAT GOD HAD PICKED THE YEAR 2000
AS A TIME TO COME
TO COLLECT OUR DEBT TO HIM
THAT HE WOULD COME WITH HIS OPEN PURSE
LIKE A MONEY LENDER DEMANDING PAYMENT
AND BECAUSE WE WERE IMPOVERISHED
AND COULDN'T PAY
WE WOULD BE PUNISHED
NOT A NEW IDEA
OUR FOUNDER
MARTIN LUTHER
LABORED MUCH OF HIS LIFE
UNDER THE IDEA
THAT TRY AS HE MIGHT
HE COULD NOT PLEASE GOD
AND AS A RESULT
AN ANGRY
MEAN SPIRITED GOD
WOULD PUNISH HIM

IN TODAY'S GOSPEL
NICODEMUS
COMES AT NIGHT
TO MEET WITH JESUS

HE WAS AN IMPORTANT RICH MAN
A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY
HE CAME AT NIGHT
HIS COMING AT NIGHT
DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN
HE WAS AFRAID TO BE SEEN
WITH JESUS
A JEWISH PROVERB OF THE TIMES
SAID
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO A MAN DEEPLY
COME TO HIS HOUSE WHEN THE CHILDREN
WERE ASLEEP
AS THOSE OF US WHO ARE
OR WERE PARENTS KNOW
THAT USUALLY MEANS
LATE AT NIGHT
SO NICODEMUS
CAME TO JESUS AT NIGHT

WHO WAS THIS NICODEMUS
A PHARISEE
A LEADER OF THE PEOPLE
AN OBSERVER OF ALL THE LAWS
THAT MUST BE OBEYED
TO PLEASE GOD

JUDAISM HAD DISINTEGRATED
INTO A SERIES OF MAN MADE LAWS
CREATED BY A PROCESS CALLED PILPUL
WHICH WAS A STUDY OF THE LAW
TO DISCOVER ALL ITS SHADES AND MEANINGS
AND THE ONES WHO PROMOTED THIS STUDY
WERE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

SOME EXAMPLES
YOU COULDN'T WORK ON THE SABBATH
SO A MAN WITH A WOODEN LEG
COULD NOT WALK ON THE SABBATH
BECAUSE THE LEG WAS A BURDEN
AND THEREFORE WALKING WAS WORK

IF YOU WERE HURT
YOU COULD BANDAGE THE WOUND
BUT YOU COULDN'T PUT MEDICINE ON THE WOUND
BECAUSE THAT WAS WORK

ALSO IF A GENTILE WOMAN WAS HAVING A BABY
YOU COULDN'T HELP HER
BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT ONE OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE
TO WHOM THE LAW HAD BEEN GIVEN

THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES
WERE CONSTANTLY STUDYING THE LAW
ADDING SOME REQUIREMENTS
TO DAILY LIVING
OR FORBIDDING
SOME ACTIONS
IN DAILY LIVING
YOU REMEMBER THAT JESUS WAS ACCUSED
OF BAD CONDUCT
WHEN HE HEALED PEOPLE ON THE SABBATH DAY
BECAUSE HEALING WAS WORK

THEY OPPRESSED THE PEOPLE SO MUCH
WITH THESE LAWS
THAT JESUS CRIED OUT
YOU MAKE UP HEAVY BURDENS
FOR MEN TO CARRY
BUT DO NOTHING
TO HELP THEM CARRY
THEIR BURDENS

OR AGAIN JESUS CRIED OUT
THE LAW EXISTS FOR THE PEOPLE
NOT THE PEOPLE FOR THE LAW

SO NICODEMUS
A GOOD MAN
BURDENED DOWN
HE COULD NOT KEEP
OR FOUND IT DIFFICULT
COMES IN THE NIGHT
TO FIND THE LIGHT
WHO COMES IN THE NIGHT
TO HAVE HIS BURDEN LIGHTENED

AND JESUS SAYS TO HIM
JESUS SAYS TO HIM
BE BORN AGAIN

HOW MANY TIMES
HAVE WE SAID
IN OUR OWN LIFE
I AM TIRED OF THE WAY THINGS ARE
I AM GOING TO TRY TO CHANGE MY LIFE
I WILL BE REBORN


BUT HOW WE SAY
WITH NICODEMUS
HOW CAN WE BE REBORN
AND JESUS SAYS
BY THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT
OF YOUR OWN BAPTISM
BY THAT BAPTISM
YOU HAVE RECEIVED REBIRTH
YOU HAVE BEEN REBORN

BUT
HAVING BEEN GIVEN SUCH A GIFT
WE FEEL UNWORTHY
WE CANNOT MEASURE UP TO THE MARK
WE CANNOT FILL THE MONEY LENDER'S
PURSE
UNWORTHY OF THE GIFT OF REBIRTH
WE FEEL THAT WE WILL BE CRUSHED
BY ITS WEIGHT
BY ITS OBLIGATIONS

BUT JESUS SAYS
MY FATHER SO LOVED THE WORLD
HE SENT ME
HE SENT ME
TO SAVE IT
AND ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME
BELIEVES IN THE FATHER
AND WILL RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE

BUT THE GIFT IS TOO GREAT
TOO GREAT FOR US
WHO ARE TOO SMALL
HOW CAN WE EVER REPAY YOU
BELIEVE IN ME
IS ALL I ASK
BELIEVE
AND LET YOUR LIFE FLOW
FROM THAT BELIEF
BELIEVE IN ME

BUT WE SHALL STUMBLE
BELIEVE IN ME
BUT WE ARE WEAK
BELIEVE IN ME
BUT WE ARE UNWORTHY
BELIEVE IN ME
BUT WE ARE SINNERS
I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU

SO WHEN THE TEMPTER COMES
AS COME HE WILL
TO MAKE YOU DOUBT
YOUR BELIEFS
TO MAKE YOU FEEL
UNLOVED AND UNWANTED BY GOD
TELL THE TEMPTER
WITH HIS OPEN PURSE
TELL THE TEMPTER
MY DEBT HAS BEEN PAID
MY DEBT HAS BEEN PAID BY JESUS
WHO DID NOT PAY
THE GREAT PRICE HE PAID
SO THAT LATER HE COULD DESTROY ME
AS YOU ARE TRYING TO DESTROY ME

TELL THE TEMPTER
WHEN HE COMES
TELL THE MONEY LENDER
WITH HIS OPEN PURSE

CLOSE YOUR PURSE
AND MARK MY BILL
PAID IN FULL BY JESUS

SERMON - FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

LET US BEGIN AS WE BEGIN ALL THINGS
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE FATHER
WHO CREATED US,
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE SON
WHO REDEEMED US,
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHO INSPIRES US.

LET US BEGIN IN THE NAME OF GOD,
MOTHER OF US ALL.

THIS IS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY.
EPIPHANY
WHICH IS THAT TIME OF THE CHURCH YEAR
BETWEEN CHRISTMAS
AND THE BEGINNING OF LENT.

THE WORD EPIPHANY MEANS
TO SHOW.
THE CHURCH USES THIS SEASON
TO COMMEMORATE
THE TIME WHEN JESUS
WAS BEGINNING HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.
WAS BEGINNING
TO SHOW THE WORLD
WHO HE WAS.

SO LAST WEEK
WE HAD THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY ITSELF

WHEN THE WISEMAN CAME.
MEN DRAWN BY A STAR
HERALDING THE BIRTH OF A KING.
THAT KING BEING JESUS.

THIS SUNDAY WE HAVE
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
DURING WHICH GOD THE FATHER
SPEAKS FROM HEAVEN
DECLARING
THAT JESUS WAS HIS SON.


THE BAPTISM JESUS RECEIVED
WAS NOT THE SAME AS THAT BAPTISM
WE RECEIVED
WHEN MOST OF US WERE CHILDREN

BAPTISM WAS RESERVED IN THE JEWISH FAITH
FOR THOSE
NOT BORN JEWS
THOSE SINFUL PEOPLE
NOT BORN A JEW

THE JEW BELIEVED
THAT BEING A SON OF ABRAHAM
HE WAS ASSURED OF GOD'S SALVATION

AS LONG AS HE FOLLOWED THE LAW
HE WAS ASSURED OF GOD'S SALVATION
THERE FOR HE HAD NO NEED FOR RITUAL CLEANING

BUT THERE WAS A MOVEMENT IN JUDEA
IN JESUS TIME
THAT THE NATION HAD LOST THEIR PRIVILEGED STATUS

THE NATION HAD BEEN CONQUERED BY ROME
THE PEOPLE
WERE DESPERATELY WAITING
FOR THE MESSIAH
TO FREE THE LAND
THEY FELT THAT GOD WAS ANGRY WITH THEM
ANGRY WITH THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR LIFESTYLE
THEY FELT
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CHANGE
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CLEANSING
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR REPENTING

SO THERE WENT OUT INTO THE LAND
THOSE CALLING FOR CHANGE
SOME WERE CALLING FOR POLITICAL CHANGE
OTHERS LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE ESSENES
WERE CALLING FOR MORAL CHANGE
AND THE SYMBOL OF THAT CHANGE
WAS THE WHOLE BODY PLUNGING
OF A PERSON INTO A LAKE OR RIVER



BUT THE CANDIDATE HAD FIRST TO STATE
HE WAS SORRY FOR HIS SINS
AND WOULD TRY TO AMEND HIS LIFE

AND JOHN'S MESSAGE OF REPENT
AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE
WAS BEARING FRUIT
MANY WERE FLOCKING TO JOHN
FOR REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

UNDERLYING THIS MOVEMENT
WAS THE THOUGHT
THAT IF THEY CHANGED THEIR LIVES
THE MESSIAH WOULD COME
BUT THEY WANTED A POLITICAL MESSIAH

WHAT THEY WOULD GET
WAS A SERVANT

THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SURPRISED
BECAUSE GOD HAD DESCRIBED THAT SERVANT
IN ISAIAH
OUR FIRST READING TODAY
LET ME REFRESH YOUR MEMORY

THE LORD'S SERVANT

THE LORD SAYS,
"HERE IS MY SERVANT,
WHOM I STRENGTHEN -
THE ONE I HAVE CHOSEN,
WITH WHOM I AM PLEASED.
I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH MY SPIRIT,
AND HE WILL BRING JUSTICE TO EVERY NATION.
HE WILL NOT SHOUT OR RAISE HIS VOICE
OR MAKE LOUD SPEECHES IN THE STREETS.

HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF A BENT REED
NOR PUT OUT A FLICKERING LAMP.
HE WILL BRING LASTING JUSTICE TO ALL.
HE WILL NOT LOSE HOPE OR COURAGE;
HE WILL ESTABLISH JUSTICE ON THE EARTH.
DISTANT LANDS EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIS TEACHING."



AND NOW
THE LORD GOD SAYS TO HIS SERVANT,
I, THE LORD, HAVE CALLED YOU
AND GIVEN YOU POWER
TO SEE THAT JUSTICE
IS DONE ON EARTH.
THROUGH YOU
I WILL MAKE A COVENANT
WITH ALL PEOPLES;
THROUGH YOU
I WILL BRING LIGHT
TO THE NATIONS.
YOU WILL OPEN THE EYES
OF THE BLIND
AND SET FREE THOSE
WHO SIT IN DARK PRISONS.

THE THINGS I PREDICTED
HAVE NOW COME TRUE.
NOW I WILL TELL YOU
OF NEW THINGS
EVEN BEFORE
THEY BEGIN TO HAPPEN."

THIS SERVANT
THIS GOD MADE MAN
WHO DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD
SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED,
TO BE CLUNG TO
BUT RATHER
EMPTIED HIMSELF OUT
TOOK ON THE FORM OF A SLAVE
A SERVANT
TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS

THIS GOD MAN WAS BORN IN A STABLE
WAS HUNGRY AT HIS MOTHER'S BREAST
WAS SENT TO SCHOOL
LEARNED TO TIE HIS SANDALS
WAS TRAINED TO BE A CARPENTER
TOOK CARE OF HIS MOTHER
STUDIED THE SCRIPTURES
LOOKED OUT AT THE WORLD
AND KNEW IT WAS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE



SO HERE HE WAS
STANDING
LOOKING AT THE RIVER JORDAN
WHERE JOHN HIS COUSIN
WAS BAPTIZING
KNEW HE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION
KNEW HE HAD TO DECIDE
WHAT HE SHOULD DO WITH HIS LIFE
KNEW THAT IF STARTED PREACHING
THE WAY JOHN WAS PREACHING
THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY KILL HIM

BUT HE HAD HEARD
THE CALL OF HIS FATHER
TO MISSION
LIKE A BUGLE SOUNDING SOFTLY
IN THE DISTANCE

AND LIKE ALL MEN
BECAUSE HE WAS MAN
HE STRUGGLED WITH HIS DECISION
TRYING TO DETERMINE
HIS FATHER'S CALL
TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW TO BECOME THE PERSON PAUL WOULD DESCRIBE IN OUR SECOND READING

HE DID NOT NEED BAPTISM
THERE WAS NO SIN IN HIM
WHAT WAS IN HIM
WAS A DESIRE
A NEED
TO SHARE HUMANITY'S PLIGHT
TO BE WITH SINNERS
WHERE THEY WERE
AND WHERE THEY WERE
WAS WITH JOHN ENTERING THE WATER

SO HE JOINED THE LINE
BUT HIS COUSIN JOHN
FELT HE WAS UNWORTHY
BUT JESUS SAID
LET IT BE DONE




SO JOHN PLUNGED HIM INTO THE RIVER
AND HE CAME UP
GASPING FOR AIR
LIKE A NEWBORN BABY
LIKE A REBORN BABY
LIKE ALL THOSE IN LINE WITH HIM

AND FROM HEAVEN CAME A VOICE
THE VOICE OF A FATHER
PROUD OF HIS SON
FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
AND THE VOICE SAYS
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON
IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED

AND JESUS LOOKING AT ALL GATHERED AT THE RIVER
AND LOOKING DOWN THE LONG RIVER OF HISTORY
COMES TO THIS ROOM WHERE WE ARE GATHERED
AND SAYS
TO EACH ONE OF US INDIVIDUALLY
YOU
YOU ARE MY BELOVED BROTHERS
YOU ARE MY BELOVED SISTERS
IN YOU I AM WELL PLEASED

SONGS FOR A FRIEND

THE PRIEST


TO STAND DAILY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
AND CALL DOWN FIRE
AND BY AN ALCHEMY
PERFORM A MIRACLE IN MY HANDS
LONG PUT TO REST UNWORTHINESS AS FACTUAL
SUMMONED LIKE MOSES ARGUING THAT AARON WAS BETTER
BUT AARON WASN'T CALLED
SUMMONED TO SERVE AND IN THAT WORD TO FIND MY CROSS
TOO EASY TO TAKE MY MAGIC POWERS
AND CLAIM THAT ALL EXISTS FOR ME
SO EASY
BUT TO LISTEN TO THE THRICE TOLD TALE OF THE OLD
OR ANOINT INCURABLE CANCER WITH HEALING OIL
TO COUNSEL THE ANGRY HURT OR LONELY
TO GIVE ADVICE BETTER THAN MYSELF
TO GIVE
TO KNOW THE NEED FOR TRANSFORMATION
NOT CHANGE NOT REALLY
BUT THAT THE BREAD SHOULD GIVE GOOD HEALTH
AND WINE REFRESHMENT
THAT I MIGHT BE WHAT THEY SAY I AM
THAT I MIGHT BE
THAT I MIGHT STAND AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
TAKING ALL THEIR CARES TO THE TESTING POINT
AND CALL DOWN FIRE IN MY HANDS
AND GIVE MY BODY/BLOOD FOR SACRIFICE






GARGOYLE HOWLING IN THE WIND
SPEWING WATER AND WITH EYE DISTENDED
SCOWLING
WHAT AGONY OF ARTIST DRONE THE CHISEL
WHAT INJUSTICE BORNE WITHOUT HOPE OF REMEDY
HOW MANY MEN ARE GARGOYLE MADE
BY FORCES OUT OF THEIR CONTROL
BY WAR BY RACE BY POVERTY
CONTINUAL NOISE IN A CROWDED ROOM
CHISELS CARVING PAIN
PRECARIOUSLY PERCHED THE GARGOYLE SITS
IN THE RAIN SPEWING PAIN
AND WITH EYE DISTENDED
SEARCHES FOR THE SUN









THE BIRDS

IT WASN'T THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE CHRISTMAS
HE ENJOYED THE HOLIDAY FUN
ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS AND SUDDEN GOOD WILL
AND THE CHILDREN'S HAPPY SUSPENSE

BUT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS
IN THE INCARNATION I MEAN
GOD LIVING A MAN-LIFE LIKE HIS? WHAT FOR?
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO HIM

HE SAT BY THE FIRE
WARM IN HIS HOME
ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALONE
THE FAMILY GONE OFF TO MIDNIGHT MASS

HE HEARD A THUMP AT THE WINDOW
AND THEN ANOTHER
SOME MISCHIEF BOY OUT FOR FUN HE THOUGHT
HE WENT TO THE WINDOW TO CHASE HIM WITH A GLANCE

BUT FOUND NO BOY
BUT A SPARROW FLOCK
LURED BY THE LIGHT AND SIGHT OF WARMTH
HAD TRIED TO COME THROUGH HIS WINDOW

THEY HUDDLED NOW IN THE SNOW
WITH NO PLACE TO GO
AND HE FELT COMPASSION FOR THEM
HE PUT ON HIS BOOTS AND JACKET AND SCARF
AND OUT HE WENT TO OPEN THE GARAGE
TO GIVE THEM SHELTER

BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
SO HE TURNED ON THE LIGHT
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE WENT AND GOT BREAD
AND THREW IT MANNA LIKE UPON THE SNOW
A PATH TO FOLLOW
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE TRIED TO HERD THEM IN
SHOUTING AND WAVING HIS ARMS
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME

I'M SCARING THEM HE THOUGHT
I'M SO BIG COMPARED TO THEM
AND DIFFERENT

IF BUT FOR A MOMENT I COULD BE A SPARROW
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH THE DOOR
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH.....THE DOOR

SURF BIRD


THE SEA CAME IN THE LITTLE BIRD RAN
AND FOLLOWED THE SEA BACK OUT
THEN RAN FROM THE SEA AND FOLLOWED IT OUT
DANCING THE DAY IN TIME TO THE SEA
PLAYING FOR FOOD

I WONDER IF IT FEARS THE SEA
LIKE I DO GOD
PLAYING THE EDGES OF HIS LOVE
OR MY LOVE REALLY AS IT EBBS AND FLOWS
RUNNING WHEN THE WAVE COMES STRONG
SEABIRDS ON DELICATE FEET
RUNNING FROM THE WATER

SOMEDAY HOPEFULLY UNAWARE
THE SEA WILL OVERWHELM ME
SWEEPING ME OUT TO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA
TO BE ONE WITH THE MOTION THE SURGE OF THE SEA
TO BE THE SEA

TO PLAY WITH THE BIRDS AT THE WATER'S EDGE
TO FEED THEM
AND CALL THEM TO THE DANCE






DELAWARE BAY

IT WAS LOW TIDE WHEN WE GOT THERE
BAYSIDE IN THE MID OF WINTER
AFTER A THAW
STRANDED ON THE SHORE LIKE WHALES
THE PILES OF ICE
OR MOVING OUT TO SEA
MOANING AS THEY RUBBED EACH OTHER
GROANING AS THEY HIT A PIER OR BREAKWATER
BUT IT WAS THE ICE ON SHORE
THAT HELD OUR EYE
MELTING NOW IN THE SUN
SENDING BACK THEIR RICHNESS TO THE SEA
OCCASIONALLY THEIR WEIGHT WOULD BREAK THEM
OR WE WOULD WISHING WINTER AWAY
IT BECAME A GAME WE'D PLAY WISHING WINTER AWAY
BREAKING THE ICE AND CHANTING
OUT YOU GO ICE AND SNOW
A KIND OF FRENZY SEIZED US
BUT THE ICE ENDURED
IT DID NOT RUN BEFORE OUR CHANT
IN THE SPRING WE SHALL RETURN
WONDERING WHERE THE ICE HAS GONE
OR KNOWING RATHER IN THE MIND
THAT SUN AND HEAT HAVE DONE THE TRICK
BUT IN THAT DEEPER DARKER PART OF MIND
TO KNOW THAT CHILL AND COLD ARE NOT JUST WINTER THINGS
THAT TOO OFTEN THERE IS WINTER IN OUR SOUL
AWESOME SHAPES OF ICE THAT OVERWHELM US
COULD WE BUT CHANT THE SPELL AND WISH THEM GONE
BUT COME YOU NOW AND HOLD MY HAND
AND DRIVE FROM ME THE WINTER'S CHILL
I AM AN ICE CHOKED STREAM WANTING TO RUN FREE
I WANT TO BE NOT ICE FROZEN ON THE SHORE
BUT WATER RUNNING WITH THE WIND
COME NOW MY LOVE AND SET ME FREE
COULD WE BUT REMEMBER SPRINGTIME DAYS
WHEN WINTER WINDS PILE ICE UPON OUR SHORE
GIVE ME YOUR HAND
I AM COLD
AND NEED WARMTH

TREE



THERE IS A TREE IN THE SAHARA
IN THE MIDST OF THE SAND
AN ACACIA TREE IN THE MIDST OF THE SAND
BY A POOL THAT WELLS UP FROM A HIDDEN STREAM
THAT ONE DAY MIGHT HAVE RUN ON GROUND
HOW IT GOT THERE NO ONE KNOWS
PERHAPS A BIRD OR WIND
OR ANY ONE OF NATURE’S THOUSAND WAYS OF LIFE
BY CHOICE IT DID NOT WANT TO LIVE IN SUCH A LONELY PLACE
BY CHOICE IT DOES NOT SCATTER SEED
TO HAVE IT KILLED BY SAND AND SUN
BY CHOICE IT WILL NOT WITHER OR DESPAIR
BUT THRIVE AS BEST IT CAN
A WITNESS IN A BARREN LAND
BUY CHOICE IT TAKES THE CHALLENGE OF THE DAY
THE AIR NOT RENT BY MIGHT HAVE BEENS
BY CHOICE IT SOMETIMES WATCHES STARS
AND KNOWS THE LONELINESS OF SPACE
BY CHOICE IT WILLS TO LIVE NOT DIE AWAY
DISEASED BY DISCONTENT AND GRIEF
BY CHOICE IT TAKES THE PROMISE OF THE MORNING
AND TRIES TO MAKE IT LAST THE DAY

In the Eastern Church, the death of Mary, Jesus' mothers is traditionally celebrated on august 15. The feast is called the dormition or falling asleep of Mary.

OLD WOMAN

HOW WARM THE SUN SHE THOUGHT
NODDING NAPPING IN HER CHAIR
KNITTING UNATTENDED IN HER LAP
HOW WARM THE SUN

THE CHILDREN ALL HAD GONE
LAUGHING AND LEAPING
THE COOKIES ALL EATEN

BYE BYE AUNTIE
THEY ALL CALLED HER AUNTIE
AWAY THEY WENT LEAPING

EXCEPT ONE LITTLE URCHIN
WITH KNEE OUT IN TROUSER
AND NOSE ON SLEEVE WIPING
HAD LINGERED BEHIND
SHYLY
FOOT DRAGGING
HEAD DOWN
FACE BLUSHING
HE SLOWLY APPROACHED HER
AWKWARDLY KISSED HER
BELLOWED I LOVE YOU
SCURRIED AWAY

HEART ACHING SHE REACHED OUT
HER ARMS GRASPING NOTHING
SO QUICKLY HE RAN

OH JOSEPH OH JESUS HOW MUCH DO I MISS YOU
HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN GONE

THE OLD WOMAN SAT NODDING
HER HEART WOUNDS REOPENED
SAT NODDING
AND NAPPING
AND YEARNING FOR HOME
SAT NODDING THEN SLEEPING
THEN GOD CALLED HER HOME
STARS





HE LIKED TO WATCH THE STARS
THEIR SENSE OF ORDER AND HIS FILIAL PRIDE
BOTH GAVE HIM WARMTH
HE LIKED THE LEGENDS THAT MEN TOLD
ABOUT THESE LANTERNS IN THE SKY
HE LIKED THE WAY THEY LED A SHIP
OR CARAVAN TO FIND A HOME
HE SOMETIMES THOUGHT HE HEARD THE SOUND OF SILVER BELLS
WHEN THE WIND WAS IN THE TREES
AND NIGHT CLOUDS CAME SCUDDING ACROSS THE MOON

WHEN WILD DOGS BARKED
AND SHEEP BELLS RANG CLEARLY IN THE DARK
HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE STARS SING

PERHAPS THAT'S WHY HIS FATHER MADE THE SKY GO DARK BEFORE HE DIED




AND THE ANGELS WILL SING

PRAYER THOUGHTS

TITLE PAGE - FLOWERS SEEDS AND THINGS

A FLOWER FOR MY LOVE

ACORNS

DANDELIONS

LEAVES

A MOOD

MILKWEED

END PAGE

TITLE PAGE

CHRISTMAS

HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
I MEAN
HIS MOTHER WASN'T THE KIND TO SEND HIM OUT
ON A RAINY NIGHT
FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE WAITED TILL MORNING
BUT SHE'D INSISTED AND HE'D GONE
CLEAR ACROSS THE TOWN
AND FOUND THE PEOPLE THAT HE SOUGHT NOT HOME
THEN STARTED HOME
WET AND A LITTLE SAD
SHE'LL BE DISAPPOINTED
SHE WAS COUNTING ON HAVING IT TONIGHT
WHEN HE'D GOT HOME THE HOUSE WAS UNNATURALLY STILL
TILL HE SHOOK OFF THE RAIN AND STOOD IN THE HALL
CALLING 'MOM ARE YOU HOME'
THEN CAME THE AVALANCHE
A BURSTING OF WORDS OF PEOPLE AND EMOTION
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON

SEASCAPE

HE WAS SITTING BY THE SEA
OBLIVIOUS TO THE WIND AND STEADY RAIN
WATCHING THE SEA
WATCHING IT DRAW BACK
GATHERING PEBBLES
DRAW BACK AND FLING
DRAW BACK AND FLING
DRAW BACK AND FLING THEM ON THE SHORE
WHY DON'T THEY UNDERSTAND
WHY DON'T THEY UNDERSTAND
I FED THEM ON LOAVES AND FISHES
AND THEY WOULD MAKE ME A KING
I HEAL
AND THEY COMPLAIN IT'S THE SABBATH
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG
JUST THEN A PART OF THE BANK
ON WHICH HE WAS SITTING
GAVE WAY
AND HE HAD TO MOVE QUICKLY
TO ESCAPE BEING THROWN IN THE SEA
SAFE
HE TURNED TO WATCH THE SEA
RENEW ITS ATTACK ON THE SHORE
IT WON'T FALL THE FIRST TIME
OR IN A THOUSAND TIMES
BUT IT WILL FALL
IT WILL FALL
HE WAS SMILING NOW AS HE WATCHED THE SEA
COME ROARING IN
FULL TILT NOT COUNTING THE EFFORT
IT'S A BAD DAY FOR FISHERMEN SAID PETER
YES BUT NOT FOR A FISHER OF MEN

THE PHYSICIAN


MARK 5

GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT HE TOLD THEM
GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT

I WONDER IF HE CHUCKLED WHEN HE SAID IT
I WONDER IF HE DID NOT REMEMBER MARY TELLING JOSEPH
HE'LL EAT US OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME THAT ONE
REFERRING TO HIM
TALL AND PIMPLY
WITH PEACH FUZZ ON HIS CHIN STARTING TO DARKEN
AND A VOICE THAT COULD NOT FIND ITS RANGE
I WONDER IF HE CHUCKLED REMEMBERING JOSEPH'S LAMENT
BUT WE JUST BOUGHT HIM THOSE CLOTHES
AND HE'S OUTGROWN THEM ALREADY
I WONDER IF HE SMILED REMEMBERING MARY'S PRIDE
HE EATS THAT ONE
HE'S A GOOD BOY
HE EATS

RISE UP LITTLE GIRL
AND BE ONCE MORE A CHILD
BE GIDDY WHEN YOU WANT TO
OR OLDER THAN ALL TIME
BE SMARTER THAN A WISEMAN
WITH A LOLLIPOP IN HAND
OR GIGGLE IN A CHURCH PEW
FOR HE WHO KNEW THE JOYS OF YOUTH
HAS GIVEN THEM BACK TO YOU

THE KISS


I THINK IT WAS THE KISS THAT BROKE HIS HEART
NO MATTER WHAT ELSE WAS DONE TO HIM
THAT NIGHT AND NEXT DAY
NOTHING COULD MATCH THE FRIENDSHIP SIGN
AND GREETING
HAIL RABBI
PER HAPS THAT'S WHY HE STOOD SO SILENT
IN FRONT OF PILATE
EMPTY
TOO HURT FOR WORDS
OR TO EVEN CARE
THREE YEARS HE'D KNOWN THE MAN
HAD ATE WITH HIM LAUGHED WITH HIM
SHARED CONFIDENCES AND MEMORIES
HAD THOUGHT HE HAD A FRIEND
PETER JAMES JOHN THE REST WOULD RUN AWAY
THEY WERE AFRAID
HE COULD UNDERSTAND FEAR
HE WAS AFRAID HIMSELF NOW
HIS BODY WAS WET WITH NERVOUS SWEAT
HID MIND STILL ECHOED HIS WORDS
OH GOD LET IT PASS LET IT PASS
IF JUDAS HADN'T KISSED HIM FOR A PRICE
HE MIGHT HAVE DONE IT BETTER
BUT THE KISS TOOK THE HEART FROM HIM
SO THAT HE STOOD EMPTY SILENT HEART GONE OUTLIKE A LAMB BEING LED TO SLAUGHTER

DEATH

COME SOFTLY TO MY BOSOM NOW
YOUR JOURNEY DONE
YOUR KINGDOM COME
COME SOFTLY TO MY BOSOM NOW
COME REST YOUR HEAD WHERE ONCE YOU LAID IT
FRIGHTENED BY A MIDNIGHT DREAM
COME REST YOUR HEAD AGAIN MY SON

OH LET US BE LET US BE
ALONE IN EACH OTHERS COMPANY
THAT I MIGHT IN PLACE OF BLOODY PLACE
REMEMBER MY CHILD OF GRACE
IN PLACE OF PIERCED HANDS LET ME SEE
THOSE THAT FLOWERS PICKED FOR ME
AND FEET THAT A THOUSAND ERRANDS RAN

OH LET US BE
COME SOFTLY TO MY BOSOM SON

EASTER

SHYLY
LIKE A BASHFUL LOVER HE ROSE
NO TRUMPET BLAST OR EARTHQUAKE SHOCK
QUIET
A WISP OF A MORNING BREEZE
A SCENT OF FLOWERS
MORNING DEW AND BIRDCALLS
A SUDDEN SENSE OF WARMTH
A QUIET COMING
ONE THAT DOES NOT SAY YOU WILL
BUT WILL YOU
HOW GODLIKE IN AN UNGODLIKE WAY
FOR HIM TO TAKE THE MORNING AIRGOING TO MEET HIS MOTHER