*Note: this is a true story from my life, albeit slightly embellished and the camp name is changed
*****
The week dashed on for squirrelly scouts at camp, morale up-rared New “chits” and badges by the dozen earned At night the “pyro” scouts lit fires, their match-less skills up-flared While staring at the flames we “truth or dared” And scary tales were spun while mallows burned
My friend and I sat tuckered out from swamp walks and exploring Some grown-up hollered, “Bedtime! Not one peep!!” The tent and cots were spartan but exhaustion brought on snoring Our neighbors suffered double chainsaws roaring No Hilton could bequeath a sleep more deep
In dark of night a noise awoke me just outside our hut Some prowling critter in the moonlight glow Recalling that the tent flaps were unable to be shut No zippers! Dread began to churn my gut Surmised, “Now if it creeps inside? Oh no!”
Some scouts that afternoon had claimed a slinking skunk they’d scouted I wondered if the stinker had come back And might it bite? I thought, my mind with sleep and fright all clouded A bear I’d scare away if I just shouted? I bet it’s a raccoon out for a snack!
Then suddenly, beneath my cot a rustling sound emerged The creature of the night had slipped inside I dared not peep and cause the bed to creak! My heartrate surged I froze as thoughts of fight or flight were purged I hoped to wake my friend, but courage died
Eventually I heard it leave and I could breathe once more I passed right out till moon and sun had flipped My friend awoke; I swore, “A scary beast came through our door!” It didn’t phase him, not one tiny bit And ever since, I’ve stubbornly implored “I’ll only sleep in tents that can be zipped!”
I lurch awake with dreams of bread The flour I’ve got, but sugar I’ll borrow Must roll from bed ‘fore rolling dough “Parting is such sweet sorrow”
The first step: proof or feed the leaven Till magic froth and foam increase Each loaf recalls a word from heaven “God’s Kingdom is like yeast” (1)
Step two: combine, refine the dough Add sugar, and perhaps more flour Each step a sign of faith and hope In sub-creation’s power
Next step: you’ll need to knead the dough Press out your stress! till it’s elastic With floury hands, push deep and pull Be ruthless, fierce, bombastic
Now wait! allow the dough to rise Within a greased and covered bowl Until it’s nicely twice it’s size Shy leaven makes it grow
You might next punch it down (not tap) Then pan it for the second rise And top with towel or plastic wrap If needed, shoo the flies
Preheat your oven to the temp And bake the prize till handsome brown Then let it cool with tempting scent At last, call friends around
These steps fulfilled, you’re prepped to feast Before your eat, let grace be said Your joy will rise like Kingdom yeast
The lasting gifts our Father brings Ain’t “mockingbirds” or “diamond rings” Not “looking glasses” “Billy goats” (1) Or heavy sacks of crisp new notes
Ain’t giant boxes wrapped in strings No, it’s a seed that sprouts fresh things Its fruits can rescue Drowning hearts By drawing them to Peter’s Barque
The fruit of FAITH, which gives one wings And that of HOPE for living springs What is this seed? God’s Word, well told To “bear much fruit”, a hundred fold
Its greatest fruit, the spark of LOVE For friends, for foes, for heav’n above There is no good This fruit won’t bring For all who lean upon its King ***** (1) Hush Little Baby, by Mother Goose
My voice of conscience sounded dire, “It’s time we had a chat! I’ve grown concerned; I must inquire…” Thus went our “lover’s spat”…
“First, do you own your mobile phone Or does that phone own you?” “But it’s brand new”, I said
“Leave me alone!“
“Do you consume and mind the news Or does the news consume your mind?” I replied, “Do you mind?”
“I’m not amused!”
“And do you hold your greed in check Or does it hold you by the neck?” I gasped, “I’m trying, ok?”
“I won’t forget!”
“Do you control your precious things Or do they control YOU?” “I must confess”, I said
“That questions stings!”
“So who owns what, and what owns who? “Or, whose is what, and what is whose?” Such musings bruised my ego, so… I loosened up my vice-grip on the phone…
My science prof once sat me down at lunch and gushed with pride “I’ve spied how hard you’ve worked… With all your heart, you’ve 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 seniors and for youth Two wings are sorely needed… To soar and fly to truth
“Like Beatrice, or Morpheus, I will open up your eyes So listen well”, he mumbled, munching fries
“The Matter-only Vision says, the tangible is 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 get it, on physics this 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, you have a query?”
I stated, “I believe in God, and I believe science Could both beliefs be somehow in alliance?”
He jumped, capsized his mug, and cried, “Of course! They’re best of friends! They complement each other On each, the truth depends! A score 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 loooooong tradition!”
“The Sacramental Vision says that while what’s seen is real The unseen is as well To me, this view appeals It holds, what matters most is that which eyes cannot behold When hearts learn how to see, new worlds unfold!”
I realized that the sandwich in my hand I’d not yet 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 cried, “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 all this 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
“The Matter-only Lens examines galaxies or Mars, while The 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 live and thrill The latter, that they teach us Our purpose, and God’s Will The former has a scope confined to human scopes and 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 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 resting The Matter-only Vision Is flatter; dull; depressing! It claims that when I die, so dies my “I”, as worms lay claim The other Vision… sparks my heart aflame!
That wise old bird! He’d 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 flesh and eyes of heart
And glimpse the skyward 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
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 