The lasting gifts our Father brings Ain’t “mockingbirds” or “diamond rings” Ain’t slick “looking glasses” Or quick “billy goats” (1) Or spilling sacks of crisp green notes
Not boxes boasting bows and strings But seeds that grow undying things These seeds will keep Our souls afloat And safe and sound in Peter’s Boat
First, FAITH- that gives our hearts great wings Then HOPE- for heaven’s “eternal springs” But the best (please ignore The lump in my throat) Is LOVE! A fact not up for vote
Bright LOVE for all, both bums AND kings For Christ, Who makes our spirits sing Three giftsever potent You’ll find me devotin’ To the matchmaking goals Of the “Bridegroom” of souls Whose love Is never Remote ***** (1) Hush Little Baby, by Mother Goose
My science teacher sat me down at lunch and said with pride “I’ve spied how hard you’ve worked… You’ve struggled, really tried!” He shared he’d like to tutor me in things not taught in class I said, “I guess, but will it help me pass?”
He grinned and said, “Of course! Let’s start. For elders and for youth Two wings are sorely needed… To soar and fly to truth!
Like Beatrice, or Morpheus, I’ll try opening your eyes So listen well”, he mumbled, munching fries
“The Matter-only Vision says what’s seen is ALL that’s real The things that you can sense Or measure, test, or feel It holds that all that matters is the matter you can hold On the Matter-only Vision, are you sold?”
I mused, “So if I understand, on science this view is founded The only things that count Are things that can be counted The view that all that’s valuable is viewable by eyes! But in the face of many Faiths, this flies?”
My mentor chuckled, stating, “You have grasped the concept clearly There’s more, please hear me out But first, what is your query?” I said with caution, “I’m a Christian, but I trust in science Could both beliefs be somehow in alliance?”
He jumped up, spilled his tea and cried, “Of course! They’re best of friends! They complement each other On each, the truth depends! A lot of famous scientists were also faithful Christians Like Bacon, Llull and Ockham, all Franciscans!”
I paused and posed, “I guess they had a different kind of vision?”
He nodded, “Yes! Passed down through looooong tradition!”
“The Sacramental Vision says that while what’s seen is real The unseen is as well This view makes sense, I feel It holds what matters most is that which eyes cannot behold When the heart learns how to see, new worlds unfold!”
I realized then the sandwich in my hand I hadn’t bitten His words were oddly filling Such wonders left me smitten I stated, “This is deeper than your class, but no offense!” “I see”, he laughed and said, “it’s making sense!”
I thought, “I just can’t wait to tell my friends about this stuff!”
He drew a breath, sat down, and on he spieled…
“The spirit realm’s unseen, yet by the stuff of earth, revealed Things visible are symbols Unveiling what’s concealed That realm is, in a sense, more real than that which senses sense Is this all clear as mud, or too intense?”
I wagged my head, and spurred him on, my breath held in suspense
He plucked his glasses, pointing to a lens
“A Matter-only Lens examines galaxies or Mars, while A Sacramental Lens Sees past the sea of stars The former says that love is merely chemical reactions The latter, soul and body interactions”
“The former claims our bodies have no purpose but to thrill, while The latter, that they teach us Our purpose, and God’s Will The former has a scope confined to scopes and human tools The latter isn’t bound by physics’ rules!”
The bell then yanked my head from new and mind-expanding clouds “May we pick up here tomorrow” I begged, “as time allows?” He cried, “Of course! And bring a friend who might enjoy this topic!” “I will!” I said, “It’s made me less… myopic!”
That night in bed I pondered, head upon the pillow pressing The Matter-only Vision Is flatter, dull, depressing! It claims that when I die, so dies my “I”; then worms lay claim But the other Vision… sparks my heart aflame!
That wise old bird! He shoved me from the nest to spread both wings
Of science and of faith
To help me find fresh things
To let me scan the heights with eyes of head and eyes of heart
And see the hopeful sights new Vision brings!
*****
“Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.” -Pope St. John Paul II, Fides etc Ratio
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
“He kept calling them to what was primary by means of what was secondary, that is, through foreshadowings to the reality, through things of time to the things of eternity, through things of the flesh to the things of the spirit, through earthly things to the heavenly things.” -St Irenaeus, Against Heresies
Faith, fam’ly, friends – And work! I’m content Brought home the bacon – Paid bills, paid the rent Sweated all day! – Four walls, brush and paint Was asked to stay late – But miss dinner? I ain’t!
Through all of life’s stresses
I know that God blesses
As we work with the angels
‘n strive with the saints!
Zonked after work – I’m totally spent Honey-do list? – Will make a small dent Fun with the kids – Playing tag ’round the spruce Nods interrupt – Our reading of Seuss
Tried wife in chess
She won! must confess
We will rest with the angels
‘n rise with the saints!
Sleeping is spotty – Kids coughing and fluing Rooster is crowing – We best start the doing Young ones are rustling – There’s diapers ‘n crying Mama is hustling – Eggs, bacon a’ frying
To God I am grateful
For grace by the plateful
We will serve them like angels
‘n raise up young saints!
Morning is trying – Undribbling kids chins Food-flinging, whining – Shrill quibbling, kicked shins Phone-ringing! Searching – For boots in the bin Late-to-work! Lurching – To kiss all my kin
Throughout this whole day
For family I’ll pray
I will call on Archangels
‘n beg prayers of great Saints!
The day is laborious – My sprained wrist uproarious Boss yelling complaints – I’ve spilled pricey paints Applied the wrong stain – Morale? Down the drain Your peace, Lord, restore – My sore heart unpain
Please take all my messes
Each thought that oppresses
Transgressions so selfish
And painful distresses
Great Artist,retouch my rough bungled-up brushwork
Transform it to beautiful artwork…
That rouses amazing and hope-raising heartwork!
Lord send us Your angels
‘n make us Your saints!
*****
God works all things to the good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28)
He has made everything beautiful in its time (Eccl. 3:11 ESV)
O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Is. 64:8)
Down South, if someone tells you with a smile, “Come back now, y’all!” Midwest, if as you leave, a friend calls out, “Watch out for deer!” If anywhere, a person says, “Safe Travels!” or “Godspeed!” They really mean, “I LOVE YOU”, crystal clear
Some common phrases transfer love, like, “Text me when you’re home!” And, “See you later, Gator!”, “After’a while, Crocodile!” “Please keep in touch”, “Don’t be a stranger”, “Don’t forget to phone!” All ways to say, “I LOVE YOU” with a smile
Say, have you heard about the five main “Languages of Love”?(1) First, “Gifts” are love-made-visible; but there are better ways Like spending “Time” that’s “Quality”; intentional attention And “Words of Affirmation”, such as praise
There’s “Acts of Service”, louder than just words to prove one’s care And “Loving Touch”, high-fives, or hugs, or kisses… (I’ll stop there!) So strive to “speak” all five of these, and fuel them with fresh prayer But don’t forget to say out loud, “I LOVE YOU”-
“Donut” eat boxfuls of Donuts! What gloom!
Sparingly, sweets are just fine to consume
Better eat more of foods like the legume
Then I won’t hurry myself to my tomb
Foods that are processed? Or foods that are whole?
Fruit plate dessert? Or a cinnamon roll?
Spare me more spare ribs for I am too full
Lord, please equip me with more self control
“Raisin’” my arms I implore you in praise
Help me Lord Jesus to lay off the Lays
Raisins and other such foods may I graze
Grub that my body improves, not betrays
A deadly mistake: to eat foods that are fake
For arterys’ sake I’ll not make so much steak
With prayer and support my ill habits I’ll break
My food will bring healing and not stomach ache
Our Father of love gives us plenty to eat
Amazing Provider of each healthy treat
Eat lots of “God’s candy”! Yes, it can’t be beat
Share food with the poor, and God’s love you’ll repeat
Yes, No, Yes, Maybe Indecision causes stress Squash it with prayer!
* CELLULAR ANXIETY Cell phones to my ears Are cancer cells forming there?
Which “cells” do I want?
* PROCRASTINATION Procrastination Gives me temporary peace Then all hell breaks loose
* TIN FOIL DINNERS Roast Tin Foil Dinners Burger, veggies, spices too Omm Nom Nom Nom Nom
* EXERCISE
Must do exercise If I say a lazy “nah…” I’ll compromise health!
Say you visit ol’ Camp Shakey Trees ‘n mountains flood yer sight After *pitchin’* tent with stakey Quick you realize yer sad plight * You ain’t got no eggs ‘n bakey! And yer starvin’ fer a bite *gurgle* *growl* stomach achy Day *slips* past, fast comes the night * *Sizzlin’* *poppin’* eggs n’ bakey Makes you *sniff* with true delight Then you wake ‘n see t’was fakey T’was a *snoozin’* dream of night! * But yer famished so you takey A brief rest from sleepin’ tight *Scroungin’* round, the twigs go *breaky* ‘Neath you, as you strain yer sight * Browsin’ like a duck or drakey Hopin’ fer a *snack* so slight *slitherin’* *hissin’* poison *snakey* Makes you *screech* with scaredy fright * Soon you *chop* ‘n pot ol’ *snakey* Boil ‘im till the mornin’ light Time for breakfast! wakey wakey *sip* – *slurp* – *crunch*; it tastes jes’ right! * While it weren’t no eggs ‘n bakey (Yikes! it made yer face turn white) Thirst ‘n hunger it did slakey *Smack* yer lips; delicious? Quite! * Don’t fergit this trip, t’will makey Quite a tale some summer night Tell it with yer voice all quakey Then *guffaw* with all yer might!
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 