New Yorkers are kind, but ain’t tryin’ to be nice Californians seem nice, if not kind “You betcha” that Northerners- Ope!- will delight Down South you’re called “Sweetheart”, you’ll find
No matter from where fellow trav’lers have rolled If you they… the wrong way… do rub By icy eyes, frigid words or shoulder cold Go “Melt ’em with Mercy!” and love
When road hogs screech by flashing digits distressing Or scream at you, leaving you shaken They’re hijacked by evil, so “Blast ’em With Blessings!” Watch Daytona grace overtake ’em
At leaders enslaved to their power or purse You’re outraged! Our nation’s betrayers! Then “Free ’em with Fasting!” God’s mercy rehearse To humble both pray-ee and pray-er
When tempted to bark something rude or plain wild At teens dressed risqué or unkemptly Soon “Mold ‘em, Don’t Scold ‘em!” with eyes kind and mild To quell their rebellions pre-emptly
If dreaming up zingers for Internet critics Whose gibes are unbearably biting “Requite with Politeness!” and shock by words civic Wits kept will subvert fretful fighting
St. Paul wrote, by kindness, “heap coals on your foes”* In other words, “Melt ’em With Mercy!” The cheek that you turn proves a mirror that shows ‘em They’ve hogtied themselves! (a la Circe**)
“Give enemies love, allwho curse and despise you…” Absurd? Without grace, yes, for sure! “Pray dearly for folks who abuse or crosswise you”*** Just who would dare say this? Outrageous! The truth may confuse or surprise you…
The One Who was hated and cursed and up-hung… …Now tomb-sprung, the soon-to-come Lord!
So “Blast ’em With Blessings!” “Free ’em with Fasting!” “Mold ‘em, Don’t Scold ‘em!” “Requite with Politeness!”
In searching For something To sum up Such slogans The Gem I’ll remember… Is “Mercy!” *****
NB: “God’s greatest attribute is mercy” (This phrase my college professor encouraged us to write at the top of any test we struggled with!)
*”…if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” (Romans 12:20 ESV)
**Circe was a goddess who turned men into hogs and other animals in Greek mythology such as in Homer’s Odyssey, where she turned Odysseus’ men to swine on her island of Aeaea
***”But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well.” (Luke 6:27-29 RSVCE)Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He commited no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He commited no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2:20b-25)
Oh would that I might not go Knocking on wood It won’t botch the bad as I’d Thought that it could 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 But now I look forward to Fridays 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…
Such fair words…
I’llecho His 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; his hand waiting fast We shook as he asked, “If with you it’s all right “Wanna hear what I saw when I passed?”
“Last weekend, my heart quit, but soon my dear wife Restarted my ticker! She knows CPR Before coming to, I saw some queer sights 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 purely forbidden…”
“And next I saw heaven! Less strict than you’d guess All dress there must highlight one’s beauty with flair Its duty: to accent God’s Image the best Armani could never compare!”
“Hell’s speech code is clear, ain’t no way to refuse No courteous or cordial exchange is endured Just cursing and gossip and God’s name abused Complaining and slander and slurs…”
“But speech was plum peachy on those Golden Shores For never “is heard a discouraging word” All words are affirming; pure kindness outpours ‘Til goodness ‘n love are upstirred!”
My feelings evolved as I pictured 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 ol’ tongue for that place to obtain Where each sight and each sound will impress!”
The old man said, “If you do, glory’s in store! May God keep our robes for the feast freshly laundered I’ll see you again once we’ve hopped through death’s door!” He waved and then onward he wandered
Plump raindrops soon soaked and awoke me from wonder Loud thunder arm-twisted my feet quick to burst Mid-sprint, I debated whose ways 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 Gospel truths that bring healing and life never-ending (Jn. 14:6) Deadly lies he is 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) Not people or “chariots” or “horses” (Ex. 15:19)
Not Hezbollah, Isis or Boko Haram
Nor Israel, Russia or those who lob bombs
Nor any world leader, no matter how vicious
Nor killers, abusers or mobsters pernicious
Besides making victims, such figures distressing
Are victims much greater of evil oppressing
“The enemy is the enemy”, not Elephant or Donkey Nor presidents or mayors no matter how wonky Not pastors or bishops despite hellish crimes Nor Fox, NBC, or the Times
Not “Roe” and not “Wade”; NRA or controllers Not this group or that group, nor secret bankrollers “The enemy is the enemy”, as Scripture reminds us The devil and sin ever blind us
His damnable goal is to “steal, kill, destroy” (Jn. 10:10) Attacking with volleys of “darts” to 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 and Despair all prepare a fierce medley
This “Bad News” proves God as much more than mere “Good News” But the BEST News! In Christ, we will fight and will NOT lose
For He has no rivals, the Savior from Zion
The Lamb’s Holy Cross crushed the prowling “lion” (1 Pet. 5)
And in the end…
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 