Lukulu children hugging Love for Lukulu missionary Tomas
In those places where Love waits for me… Will I pause to rest? Within my heart of hearts, Love waits And misses me When I forget… Will I sit and visit with this Guest?
In those kids who chase and make me laugh… Would I glance Love’s dirtied face? From family I neglect to see Who memories share Who cherish me… Would I dare receive Love’s firm embrace?
At the altar-banquet spread for me…* Will I there love Love, its Host? In Truth-words that are said to me Or written down That set me free… Will I let Him love me, Who loves most?
My friend and I closed down the shop; we took turns mopping up And ‘tween the swishes, traded fun “what if’s” I asked her, “What if saints came marching in for cone or cup “What flavors, do you reckon, would they pick? I’d hand ’em samples!”
My coworker, amused, gave some examples…
“Saint Pete would go for Rocky Road; at least two reasons why On road from Rome, ‘Quo vadis?‘ He asked Christ Since Paul once stopped near Naples, Neapolitan he’d try A Trinity analogy he’d love… Though imprecise!
“It’s clear which flavor many of the Carmelites would like For Blessed Ukon, Matcha he’d attack Saint Benedict would, as a rule, first pre-bless every bite And Athanasius would not stand for ‘lite’… But full sugar, full fat“
I reminisced how dad had told some tales of saintly heroes Who’d licked this heav’nly gift with grateful hearts…
Before we each clocked out, I shared with shock and some emotion The goal of all devotion, we’d neglected The Royal Couple! To express my love for both, an ocean I told my friend, “I know what they would pick… If I’m correct…”
“Undebatably divine, the flavor known to rule A Chocolate cone for Jesus with three wallops of hand dipped To match her mantle’s hue and to evoke her queenly footstool* A Blue Moon might be Mary’s, crowned with whip… But wouldn’tit melt As she went round As mothers do Till she had found That no one in the parlor had been skipped?”
***
* “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” -Revelation 12:1
With every face I glance at I’d love a face to face Delighting, laughing, glad to share What brightens us, or baits despair One day, by grace… We’ll have a face to face
Everyone I’ve seen One day, please God, I’ll meet To listen as they tell their story Feel with them the grief, the glory Hope to meet… With everyone I’ve seen
Every single person From posh to homeless poor Will face the choice to live as peers To give their voices; lend their ears For endless years… With every single person
A man once called himself The Truth His claim is gaining ground And though He often seems aloof He’s ever near! For where there’s but an ounce of truth, He’s found
Where science explores celestial sparks Or glances quantum dances Or documents new breeds of larks He’s shining there! “Eureka” moments gladly He advances
He’s root and branch of any truth That’s found in creed or “ism” Those mixed with falsehoods, lots or few He’s purging now! Transforming every viewwith Spirit-Chrism
Where truth is violently denied Or outlawed, crushed, or jailed Where for the truth, some even die They die for Him! Where truth is hailed, He’s found…
And one day, all will see The Truth unfettered
Andunveiled
***
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:6
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” -Matthew 5:10-12
(Title is a quote from An Essay on Criticism by English poet Alexander Pope)
***
As you battle to forgive That miser “sev’nty times seven” You’re promised mercy in return “Forgive our sins as we forgive” One’s pardon pulls down heaven
Forgiveness is not “doormat-hood” It shuns abuse and crime And wisely lays down boundaries firm For “eye for eye” will blind the earth* Says God, “All vengeance, mine…”
As you echo Jesus’ prayer “O Father please forgive them They know not what they do”, then quick God rids your heart of bitterness As perfect joy you give Him
When you bear with patient love Ill will of foes or neighbors You “bear your cross” with help from Christ The Peace he gives you will suffice Plus sundry sunny favors
When you love your enemy Who wounds you or offends You love the Lord! But be aware
The “enemy” yourself may be!
On love for some…
Or rather, most…
Or rather, all…
Eternal joy, beginning now, depends
***
*attributed to M.K. Ghandi, although not exact words
