Oh would that I might not go Knocking on wood It won’t stop the bad as I’d Thought that it should So I’ll knock with my prayer on the Wood of the Cross That shatterproof… Source of all good
When stuck, I’d tried crossing my Fingers for luck No dice! Luck is rarely “a lady tonight”* So I’ll cross myself calmly With love and with trust Since luck ain’t… Got nothin’ on Christ
When Friday the 13th Occured, I’d grow cold Expecting a terrible Day to unfold Nowadays I look to each Friday as Gold The day death… And Satan lost hold
I’d mindlessly mumble my Prayers without care To force the Lord’s hand in my Schemes and affairs But then I heard, “Abba, Not My will, but Thine”
Aware now…
From where came…
These words…
I’llecho this prayer
“Father, not my will, but Thine”
*****
*Guys and Dolls, musical – Rodgers and Hammerstein
I met an old man in the park’s dying light His eyes kind and bright; He outstretched a hand We shook while he asked, “If with you it’s all right “Might I share what I saw when I passed?”
“Last weekend, my heart quit, but soon wifey dear Restarted my ticker! She knows CPR Before coming to, I saw some queer places You ain’t gonna reach by no car!
“Saw hell where the dress code ain’t meant for no prude But nudeness, they hollered, is never permitted All garb must be racy, risqué, or plain lewd Since modesty’s fully forbidden…”
“And next I saw heaven! Not as strict as you’d reckon All dress there must highlight one’s beauty with flair Its duty: to accent God’s Image that beckons Armani could never compare!”
“Hell’s speech code is clear, ain’t no way to refuse No cordial or courteous words are endured Just cussing and gossip and God’s name abused Complaining and slander and slurs…”
“But speech was so peachy on those Golden Shores For never is heard a discouraging word All talk is affirming; pure kindness outpours ‘Til goodness ‘n love are upstirred!”
While gawking in awe, I imagined such visions First shock… as I saw myself comfy in hell Then peace… as I vowed to make flightpath decisions Not caring ’bout oglers, I yelled…
“I’d best now get ready before the long rest Today, I will start! Gonna dress for success Gonna tame this loose tongue for that place to obtain Where each sight and each sound will be blessed!”
He raved, “I’m relieved you believe my true tale May God keep our robes for the banquet fresh-laundered I’ll see you again once we’ve passed through the veil!” He waved and then onward he wandered
Plump raindrops soon soaked all my musings of wonder Loud thunder arm-twisted my feet quick to burst Mid-sprint, I debated whose rules to live under
The Spirit of God comes with gifts to INfuse Which the spirit of evil would have me REfuse Whose will I choose For strength?
The Spirit of Jesus prefers to EXcuse (1) While the spirit of “Satan” just loves to ACcuse (2) Whose will I choose For mercy?
The Spirit of Truth only truths will DIffuse Which the spirit of lies will but twist to CONfuse Whose will I choose For clarity?
The Spirit of heav’n will unite and ENthuse While the spirit of hell will divide and ABuse Whose will I choose For fellowship?
The first, like a drop on a “sponge”, sweet and gentle (3) The second, a drop on a “rock”, sharp and loud Whose will I choose For direction?
God’s Life-giving Spirit will shake up the stray (4)
And sting so to bring to repent and amend
But the spirit of death will distract and delay
In hopes that his prey go astray in the end
Whose will I choose
Today?
***** (1) “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do” -Lk 23:34 (2) “Satan” means “Accuser” (3) “In those who are making progress in the spiritual life, from good to better, the good angel touches the soul gently, tenderly, and sweetly, as a drop of water entering a sponge, but the evil spirit touches it sharply, with noise and agitation, like a drop of water hitting upon a rock.” (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises) https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/the-sponge-and-the-rock/
(4) “For people who have closed themselves off from God’s grace, the good spirit disturbs and shakes up. It stirs feelings of remorse and discontent. The purpose is to make the person unhappy with a sinful way of life. On the other hand, the evil spirit wants such people to continue in their confusion and darkness. So the evil spirit tries to make them complacent, content, and satisfied with their distractions and pleasures”
The only true enemy is that of our souls From our minds, blind and weak, he now sleeplessly steals Precious truths that revive and bring life never-ending (Jn. 14:6) By those lies and deceits that he’s endlessly sending
This liar misleads about who’s the real foe (Jn. 8:44) He hints, “It’s THAT person! They’re evil, you know!” Paul parries, it’s not “flesh and blood, but… dark forces” (Eph. 5) “The enemy is the enemy”, not “chariots” or “horses” (Ex. 15:19)
Not Hezbollah, Isis or Boko Haram
Nor Israel, Hamas or whoever lobs bombs
Nor any world leader, no matter how vicious
Nor shooters at schools or abusers pernicious
Besides making victims, such figures distressing
Are victims the greater of spirits oppressing
“The enemy is the enemy”, not Pachyderm or Donkey Not presidents, gov’nors, no matter how wonky Not pope and not pastors, despite devilish crimes Nor Fox, NBC, QAnon or the Times
Not “Roe” and not “Wade”; NRA, gun controllers Not this group or that group, nor secret bankrollers “The enemy is the enemy”, as Scripture reminds us The devil and sin make us slaves and then blind us
His damnable goal is to “steal, kill, destroy” (Jn. 10:10) Attacking, a volley of “darts” he’ll employ (1 Pet. 5:8)
There’s heart-tearing Hatred, unholy Resenting Vile Gossip, cruel Greed and Revenge unrelenting
Discouragement, Lust, and Division so deadly Dark Doubt; dread Despair! All prepare a fierce medley
This “Bad News” proves God to be much more than “Good News” But the BEST News! In Christ, we will fight and will NOT lose
For rivals they’re not! One’s of hell, One’s of Zion
The Lion-Lamb’s Cross crushed the prowling “lion” (1 Pet. 5)
The “prince of this world” will be strong-armed to cease (Jn. 12:31)
By the One Who is stronger, the Great Prince of Peace (Mk. 14:62)
• Where is the enemy accusing me right now? • What lie is crippling me right now? • Where is the enemy causing division in my life right now? • Where is the enemy flattering my ego right now? • What temptation is strongest in my life right now? • Where am I most discouraged right now?
To grow in one’s heart, these diseases require A grim precondition, a foundation dire Identity error, confusion, or mix-up Believing untruths about self! What’s the fix-up?
The “father of lies” spews a million deceptions Apparently harmless, but Trojan inceptions “You are what you do”, “what you think”, “say”, or “feel” “Define your reality”; “Who knows what’s real?”
What antidote is there, or immunization? The answer is found in divine revelation Identity truth heals identity error Truth captured in titles from heaven’s Truth Bearer
The Christ! He not only reveals God to us But also reveals who WE are; that’s His aim(1) A human like us in all things but sin’s fuss He teaches us WHO we are through truthful names
These titles, if taken like pills from a doc Declared every morning, indeed, round the clock Are known to bring healing and peaceful relief As antidotes strong to the lies of the “thief” (John 10:10)
If taught in your childhood, these titles might stay In only your mind, if with them you don’t pray Ask God, “Plant Your names for me deep in my heart As seeds to sprout peace and make lies to depart”
The Lord calls you “Chosen One”, “Crown”, “My Redeemed” “Delight”, “Oak of Righteousness”, “Apple of [My] Eye” So let “God-esteem” be your true self-esteem To prove your own worth, you need not! Please don’t try
God’s own Son names you “Light of the World”, “Friend”, and “Bride” Your identity bought on the Cross when He died In the Baptism Font, God forever defines you His “Child”! From the enemy’s lies, He unblinds you
Your identity comes as a gift from above So relax! You’re a “son” or a “daughter” belov’d All one’s skills or tattoos(2) can’t define WHO one is Rather, WHOSE does! Declare: “He is mine; I am His” (Song of Songs 2:16)
…Better yet, hear Him say in your heart, “You are mine”(3) (Isaiah 43:1)
****************
(1) Pope John Paul II, Angelus, December 15, 1996
(2) I’m not suggesting that this is the motive everyone has for getting a tattoo
(3) Full verse: “Thus says the Lord, he who created you…: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.‘”
The greatest trick in history: a Man was scourged and killed Then rose again in victory! But not all men were thrilled The dark one thought he tricked the Light and snuffed Him with a tree Out-tricking him, He shines eternally
The evils that he’d wrought through lies, which Eve and Adam bought Were caught and slain by Mary’s “yes”, which Jesus to us brought By dying, Christ destroyed our death! The epic war to win To Christ we’ll cling, lest we be led to sin
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 