My plans are too often disrupted I’ll choose then to be interrupted I’ll hoist up in prayer Each day this bold choice Then joy will cascade uncorrupted
Surprises, each day guarantees (Old Murphy’s most mischievous deeds) When prior they’re welcomed Not curveball, nor fire Will ire or pilfer my peace
Each monkey wrench tossed in my face Invites me the cross to embrace These tiny denials And trials without whining Refine my rough ego with grace
Bear fruit from intrusions: pre-choose ’em!
As a Friend once pre-chose to give all
When plans areall dashed
With mayhem ensuing
That Friend will intrude with His peace unsurpassed
With His laugh that disrupts and His look that will crush all your brooding
***
In his book Interior Freedom, Fr. Jacques Philippe uses the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux to explain the freedom available when we are interrupted. He says of Thérèse: “[St. Thérèse] did not like having her work interrupted. Sometimes she was asked to do work requiring quite a lot of concentration … [but] the schedule of the Carmelite community was so intense that she had very little time at her disposal. When she finally found an hour or two to devote to the job, she applied herself in the following spirit: ‘I choose to be interrupted.’ If a good Sister then came by to ask her for some little service, instead of coldly sending her away Thérèse made the effort to accept the interruption with good grace. And if nobody interrupted her, she considered that a charming present from her loving God and was very grateful to him.” -Interior Freedom, 56
When eating light and heaving weights, my Waistline barely balks! Does the Lord ignore my efforts? All my Push-ups, squats and walks? Did my sweat… All mean squat? Could it Spot some fellow struggler? God,
May all the love with which I lift raise weight from someone’sshoulders
Where love is lifted… gifted it will be!
Does God look over me heart-tugged, or Shrug and overlook me? After Painting peacefully for months, my Masterpiece went up in flames! Was it not… All for Naught? Would You Frame it in your House? Lord,
Use every drop of love with which I brushed to brighten greying souls
Where love is traced… erased it cannot be!
All those persons sporting labcoats made my Sickness sadly worsen! I am Wond’ring if, in pain and fear, God Hears my cries; my cursin’? Could my reeling… Spread some healing? Lord,
With love I trade this suff’ring for the grace You’ll bring to others
If laced with love… these aches will not be wasted!
I farmed my darndest; scrimped and scrounged But debts compounded with alarm I’m tempted to give up and cry that Life’s a fruitless chore! Is this living… Or slow dying?
I recall that, “labor in the Lordisnot in vain”; so on, I’ll go (1)
Where love is sown… it’s grown a hundredfold!
Lord, thresh new grains of hope from out my wheat of offered pain
To plant in hearts that You claim as Your own
***
(1) “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”-1 Corinthians 15:58
“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” -Hebrews 6:10
“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship” -Romans 12:1
The day I’ve “shuffled off this mortal coil”, and on my way (1) Soon pushing up fresh daisies to be picked In case my love’s not perfect yet, for me I hope you’ll pray For I’ll have bought the farm; the bucket kicked
And speak of which, I won’t forget my heaven bucket list I’ll show it to our Father to inspect Aware that soon He’ll give me His own list (of greater bliss!) Before I check things off, with Him I’ll check
Then first, I’ll thank my parents for transmitting God’s own caring Relay what I’d not time to say on earth They’ll share so many tales; how God conspired toward their pairing We’ll bare our souls, in awe of our new birth
I’ll serve my dad and sibs some treats they rare-to-none indulged in While earthbound (lest their stomachs groan and scream) Some ice cream! then I’ll gladly watch them eat, their hearts a-bulgin’ Next, a “Domino’s” (quite literally) Supreme! (2)
My sibs I’ll know much better than while in this vale of tears No worldly, time-bound worries to impair We’ll share life’s sprints, and walks, and crawls; our prides and joys; our fears Their dreams of which I was not then aware
Next on the list, I’ll find both grandmas, whom I never knew And hug them! Oh, the stories they will tell My mother’s dad will share some hairy tales from World War Two My father’s will spin charming yarns as well
I’ll gather heaven’s orchestra and choir unsurpassed Then summon Bach and Handel to the stage Engaging them, “Sirs, please conduct Messiah… Please, your Mass” Each maestro then would give God all the praise
Another item on my list may shock or make you pause I’ll hunt for those who hurt me, or annoyed Lambasted, blamed, or blocked me for no reason! Why? Because They taught me how to love, and hell avoid
With perfect love, our joy will be to play, create, and tarry Within the Heart of God, the Father’s House To laugh with Saints; to flourish in the nurturing of Mary To dine where host and server is The Spouse (3
Heaven’s bucket list has goals we had not thought nor dared It bears no end; its splendors will not cease “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it been conceived The things prepared for those who love the Lord” (1 Cor. 2:9) So run the race Your pace increase To reach that place Of grace- What joy!- And never-ending bucketfuls… Of peace
*****
(1) Shakespeare, Hamlet
(2) “Domino’s” means “The Lord’s” in Latin
(3) Luke 12:37: Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them (ESV)
One greysome winter, Francis with his fellow friar, Leo Through flurries, in their cowls, swiftly hurried to Saint Mary’s The moaning wind so cold, not face nor finger could they feel Above the fray yelled Francis, “Brother, heed!”
Then told him, “Even if each friar glowed with holy brightness While preaching or beseeching for some bread at village homes Write down that this would not be perfect joy, or true delight!” So Brother Leo scratched this in his tome
Without restraint, the tonsured Saint kept on, as swept the rain “O Brother, if each friar could restore the lame and torn Make straight the crooked, cast out demons, wash the sinner’s shame Relieve all pain, and hearten souls forlorn
“As for the mute, return their pow’r to speak and laugh and shout But even if a greater deed than these could they engage To raise the dead, would still not reach that perfect joy, no doubt!” This Brother Leo noted on his page
While mushing through the snow, his fervor flowed all in a rush “O Leo, if our brothers could all languages speak well And wield the Word of God, the devil’s strongholds strike and crush See into souls, or future things foretell
If all the Friars Minor could with tongues of angels sing And had recourse to knowledge of the courses of each star Knew all the virtues of each shrub; each beast of fang or wing Yet such would not be perfect joy, by far!”
While striding, yet abiding in their Lord, up hills of ice Il Poverello said, “If all our friends so preached the Word With power to convert the infidel to love of Christ ‘twould not be perfect joy! Think this absurd?”
The weary Leo marveled, til his query could not wait “Good Francis, teach me please, wherein is perfect joy discovered?” And he replied, “If when we reach Saint Mary’s convent-gate Exhausted; fully famished and snow-covered
“The porter at the gate, suspicious, first interro-gates us With questions of our quest; and having told him, ‘We’re two friars’ He sputters hotly, ‘What ye say is false!’ and truly hates us Accusing, ‘You’re impostors, filthy liars!’
“‘You steal the meager alms of poor ones; now begone, I say!’ And opens not the gate! We suffer cold and starve till night If we were to receive such hate with meekness, not dismay Not ruffled or complaining of our plight
“But trusting that the porter, though quite angry, truly knows us And that it is our God who makes him spout and do such things If, when we rap again, again but wrath that doorman shows us And flings at us a wicked oath that stings
“Then shrieks, ‘Begone, begone, you wretched thieves, now take your flight For here you shall not enter, no! nor eat, nor drink, nor rest!’ Were we to take with courage every slight without requite O Leo, that… ‘ He paused as passions deep welled up within him
‘That all would make for perfect joy and blest!”
“Yet further, if we knock once more, and let our sorrow show Imploring him with tears to aid us for the love of God Instead, he rushes, red-faced and then rolls us in the snow And knocks us with a knotted wooden rod
“If we would bear such pain with grace, remaining in God’s peace While thinking on the suff’rings of the Christ, our King and Lord This cross we’d share with love for Him, which thereby would increase O Brother, ‘twould be perfect joy’s reward!” (1)
“Yes, note with care, O Leo, in your book, this tale’s conclusion The greatest gift that Jesus gives His friends in their affairs, is the The grace of overcoming self! It’s misery’s solution Embracing all for Christ, Who with us shares…
“…all thorns and undeserv-éd scorn; all insults, light or grave For in His many other gifts we truly cannot glory Such gifts come not from us, but from our God, our souls to save So says Saint Paul, whose wisdom crowns this story
“Paul asks, ‘What have you that you have not gotten from the Lord? And if received, why do you glory as if you had not?‘ (2) Yes, in the cross of tribulation only may we glory And ‘boast but in the cross of Jesus Christ’“
So… We’ll bear our crosses, friend, and onward go!” (3)
*****
(1) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church… -Col. 1:24 (RSVCE)
(2) 1 Corinthians 4:7
(3) Galatians 6:14
St. Francis and Brother Leo, pray for us!
Collect prayer for his feast day, Oct. 4:
O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen.
May I retell a winsome tale A pal named Floyd told me? “My days”, he claimed, “are seldom great” “But always good, you see!” He paused to wait
My doubt poured out, “You have no days Upset by Murphy’s Law?” Said Floyd, “I used to, but no more!” “Why not?” I probed in awe He took the floor
“For years I begged my Father, God To make me kind and wise To guide me in pursuit of Christ To splice our hearts, His fire To melt my ice”
“I lived a pleasant peasant life Of children, wife and farming One charming day I met a nun Whose sunny smile was warm Chock full of fun”
“Her sandaled feet and cloak of wool Were fully back with crud ‘Good day to you, good day!’ I cried Can’t lie; was clear as mud What she replied”
‘Oh, thank you sir, forwishing good But I cannot recall A single day that I’d call ill For Christians, after all Can love God’s Will!’
“Oh Sister, how ought Christians live? “Please share your thoughts!” I pleaded “You radiate such joy, I see Your peace seems undefeated How could that be?”
She said, ‘By willing what God wills Not one bad day can pass When meat runs out, I bless His Name Another chance to fast On beans or grain’
‘When persecuted for that Name His love I gladly reap (Mt. 5:12) He gives me His own Cross to share Partners finding wayward sheep With work and prayer!’
‘If slowed by sleet or snowy banks I thank Him for such beauties When asked to cook or scrub or spin I offer God these duties For all our sins’
‘You see, all things- yes, all– that come Flow first through loving Hands He changes bad to greatest good
How could you learn His plan? Remember this my friend:
Through loving prayer, and prayerful love, you would!’
“With tears I thanked her, heart a-tugged She hugged me; made her way Her swayful words remained within Since then, not one ‘bad day’ Must say, I’ve had!”
Then Floyd stepped toward the door, and grinned “Good day to you, my friend! Today, tomorrow, and ever more Good days that know no end!” Then he closed that door
Yet Floyd had flung another door Ajar in me to One Whose ‘Midas touch’ turns all to grace Whose Face is like the sun
God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose… Romans 8:28
Strict justice would require that God will provide relief to you who are sorely tried, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels… -2 Thessalonians 1:6,7,10
My Achilles is really a-killin’ me And my heel just won’t heal, what the heck! My stiff neck’s a real pain in the butt… but there’s more My sore butt’s a real pain in the neck (Since the day I survived that big wreck!)
I can’t stomach this unstopping stomachache Struck with gout I wanna pout all alone And I sigh when sciatic pain shocks me awake Diagnosed with Pneumonia, I moan (Sick at home, of my phone, I’m bored sick!)
Pins and needles! My knees need a healing Since my heart’s out of sync, I lose heart Got more docs than my clock could have time for! I’m feeling Quite dazed as my days fall apart (Why does rain make my brain start to smart?)
Does the Lord hear me sleeplessly weeping? My appealing for healing in full?
Then He whispered, I feel it all with you, Beloved
And I will heal as is best for your soul
Through these trials, My Child, I uphold you
And remold you to the Likeness of Love
Fear no harm! In my Arms, I enfold you
I will guide you to “Life to the full” (John 10:10)
*******
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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)
When-I feel so rejected I share in Your plight “The Son of Man came to His own… And even His own did not care to receive Him” (Jn. 1:11) Receive my own care day and night
To Thirst With You
Is
to Console You
When-I feel tired and parched With You may I ache “I thirst” (Jn. 19:28) for you; “Give me to drink” (Jn. 4:7) “They gave me dour gall; sour wine for my thirst” (Psalm 69:21) Your thirst, with my love, may I slake
To Think of You
Is
to Console You
When-I feel so insulted With You may I pray “Reproaches have broken my heart… I looked for just one to console me, but… found none” (Ps. 69:20) Find me! I’ll console You today
To CryWith You and
To Die With You
Is
to Console You
When-I feel like I’m dying With You may I cry “God, why’ve You abandoned me now?” (Ps. 22; Mk. 15:34) “Into Your hands, Father, I pour my spirit” O Christ, pour Your SPIRIT…
Your LOVE…
Your LIFE from Your side!
*****
“…one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” (Jn. 19:34)
“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)
“Two roads” diverge throughout each day (1) Of death to self, or selfishness A mystic from Mount Carmel’s way (2) About these roads has much to say To train us all in lasting happiness
This champion of the Cross advises To choose the roads “to life” though thorn’d* To shun the widened roads, is wisest But loud and sharp the flesh-cry rises Steep and prickling paths by all are scorned
To borrow from a ‘Frosty’ bard To pick the trails “less traveled by” Makes “all the difference”, though so hard Christ’s narrow way is gain, regard To tread the Master’s steps, there treasures lie
So give your friend the final word And sprint, not slink, the extra mile* Give ear to folks most leave unheard Who heist your time (your plans deferred) Make light this Cross: see Christ in them and smile
Your preferences let others steal Relieve their pains; their burdens bear For only string-less love can heal The wounds they may not see, but feel Such love transmits the Bridegroom’s balm and care
These higher roads will end in vain Without the alchemy of prayer That turns to grace the offered pains Denying self with Him Who reigns * The diff’rence such roads make?
Beyond compare
*****
(1) Poem inspired by Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” (link) and by certain words of Jesus Christ oft quoted by St. John of the Cross (2) St. John of the Cross *Quotes from Jesus in the Gospels
Dear Holy Spirit make me holy, not despite but through My weaknesses, temptations, and mistakes I sadly rue Come Holy Spirit, sanctify me, not despite but through My circumstances, which the devil tempts me to eschew
Dear Holy Spirit make me Christlike, not despite but through The people that intrude, are rude or crude, in rotten mood Come Holy Spirit purify me, not despite but through The aches and pains, the devil’s snares… from which my cross, You hew
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk. 14:27
This attitude will change your life, I can’t explain quite how
That EVERY person you will meet can bring you good somehow
Think, “You have something very good to give to me… right now!
And I have something very good to give to you!”, then… wow
You’ll notice wondrous changes with each person that you meet
These changes will transform your life; you’ll feel much more upbeat
The shrinking of bad attitudes of pride and vain conceit
The growth of peace and feeling like your life is more complete
Think, “You have something good to give to me, and I to you”
They may not see the good in you, and while that may be true
Just don’t give up your valiant quest- your efforts please renew-
When you’re a light for them to see, their darkness you’ll undo
Including folks who drive you mad, who aren’t exactly “nice”
And even folks who practice every kind of hate and vice
You’ll see them with new eyes as having value without price
That’s based in Christ who gave His Life for them! in sacrifice
“A kiss from the cross”
Mother Teresa’s image
For pain and suff’ring
*
The cross is painful
Unless we lift it daily (Mat.16:24)
We’ve no hope to Rise
*
Augustine says
God permits (not wills) evil
For the greater good
*
The Cross: Deicide
The greatest evil ever
Opened heaven’s gates
*
Suff’ring saved the world
The suff’ring of Jesus Christ
Precious Lamb of God
*
“But I’m innocent!”
“Why me?” God’s Spirit answers
Forming Christ in you
*
“But it hurts so much!”
Offer your pain as a gift
This gift helps save souls
*
“Offer it up” always
Jesus joins it to his pain (Col.1:24)
Makes it salvific
*
Accept pain like Christ
Such suff’ring is redemptive
Saves you and others
*
Your water of pain
He changes to luscious wine
Wine of grace for all
*
Whenever you hurt
Jesus hurts and feels each ache
You are His Body
*
Each time you shed tears
Your hot tears are Jesus’ tears
You are His Body
*
“Lord, Let this cup pass….
Not my will, but thine be done” (Mt.26:39)
“Wipe away [my] tears” (Rev.21:4)
*
Without his Great Grace
You can’t carry ANY cross
No matter how small
*
Christ, you told St. Paul:
“My grace is enough for you”
Speak those words to me!
*
Then I can truly say:
“When I am weak, then I’m strong” (2Cor.12:10)
Christ, empower me! (Phil.4:13)
*
With one piercing glance
At life’s end He’ll heal all wounds (Jn.5:22)
Purging sin with Love
*
Purge us now we beg
Make us weep today for sins
Before it’s too late
*
“Why is there sorrow?”
Satan, sin and selfishness
Christ, save me from such!
*
God answers our tears
Jesus is the “tears of God” (Peter Kreeft)
The Man of Sorrows
*
Seek his sweet embrace
“Save me Jesus, set me free…
“Send your Spirit now!”
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 