Jesus never said Nor would He ever sneer “Get over it; just suck it up” But instead… He’ll catch and store each tear*
This Captain never sighed “You’ve missed the boat again!” “You’ve really dropped the ball this time” Nope, rewind… Fresh starts, He’ll ever send
This Shepherd has not scoffed “How could you veer so badly?” “Just give up now; you’re off the track” Oh, pish posh… He’ll cheer and steer you gladly
The Word did not express Nor would He whatsoever “Your life’s a helpless, hopeless mess” So don’t stress... Give up on you, He’d never
This Doctor has not spoken Through Scripture or Tradition “You’re past repair; you’re just too broken” By the same token… Your wholeness? His whole mission
The Savior did not state Nor ever will He tell you “Your guilt’s too great to be erased” Or “God helps those who help themselves!”** Or “You will get what you deserve” Au contraire… From every shameful slav’ry, He’ll unsell you ***** *”You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle” (Psalm 56:8, ESV).
Note: “mirror” should be read with two syllables in this poem…
***
I dreamt I found that fabled mirror,peered within, and asked Vain questionings inspired by SnowWhite’s queen Yet afterwards, my self-exalting queries were at last All answered in a different kind of mirror
But first, my pride inquired of that dark glass…
“Mirror Mirror on the wall Who speaks fairest, do you think? Who’s the wisest one of all, the Sage about whom quills will spill much ink?”
“Who has beauty like a swan of White, or sunset in the West? Who is called the paragon of Light and truth and love and all the rest?”
Vain conceit conceived these words
Could anything deflate my puffed up chest?
I awoke and found a mirror Leatherbound, its leaves relieved my Mind of darkness growing ever drearer
Sage and Saint within reflect Heights of love; man’s worth afresh Pages inked with red connect the Heart to heaven’s Mirror built of flesh
Mirror of the Father’s care The Fairest One! God’s wisdom spoken Mirror of man’s calling, when He Gives His very Self in Bread that’s broken
Mirror marched up skullish mount Fount of healing; cracked and scorned Mirror tarnished, on a beam Gleaming love through hatred humbly borne
Mirror shattered; hope betrayed? Shards of splendor in a tomb Soon exhumed; the glass remade! The Grave transfigured ever since to womb
Be meek my soul; look deep inside That Mirror, see; reflect His rays! Direct those lost in dark of pride To-ward the humble Star Who shines the way
Who moonlights, too, as Path and Door… (1)
The Door that opens up to where He’s Sun
Where all the meek and pure of heart give praise (2)
(4-4 rhythm) Ignatius’ love for Christ was lion-heartedly defiant It roared! in seven letters to his flocks When Trajan’s men condemned him to be prey for starving lions He inked this pledge; I warm you that it shocks!
(3-4 rhythm) “The fire and the cross and the packs of wild beasts “The gashes, the rendings and wrenching of bone “The mangling of limbs and the crushing of… body “The devil’s own tortures…” (to be suffered alone)
“Let such come upon me”, Ignatius announced “if…
I may gain…
Christ!” (1)
(4-4 rhythm) This sentiment is sourced in the apostle Paul’s epistle He lists his “light afflictions” borne in meekness (2) To boast not of himself but of what’s souly beneficial: The Cross and that which fully “shows his weakness” (3)
Such as…
(3-4 rhythm) “…imprisonments… beatings and often near death (4) “And five times I suffered the 39 lashes “Then thrice I was beaten with rods, and once stoned “And thrice also shipwrecked… adrift” in the splashes
“Then danger from rivers, and danger from robbers “And danger from fam’ly; from Gentiles; false peers “Through danger in cities, in wild lands and waters “Through sleeplessness, hunger; through cold and through fears”
“For His sake I’ve lost all things, deeming them dung [literal translation] “that I may gain Christ!” (5) May this song ever be sung!
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage [dung], that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” -Philippians 3:8-11
The Rabbi beckoned, “Let the little children come to me!” (1) Each mother gently nudged her tyke toward Him from her side The young ones – crawling, toddling, skipping – flocked to Him, carefree His arms, as would be later, opened wide
A toddler reached her eager arms in hope of a caress He gathered her as would a hen beneath a winged embrace She nestled, resting list’ning ear upon His whisp’ring chest Its steady beat repeated Love and Grace
A rowdy boy soaked up the peace that flowed from this new Face He plunged his sunburnt head within the Rabbi’s tassled shawl And sobbed, discovering such a love he’d never dreamed he’d taste In grieving his dear father’s tragic fall
A girl stood distant, downcast, feeling worthless and ashamed She could not trust this stranger, for her heart concealed a scar Longingly, she watched the care the other children claimed, while The Rabbi’s eyes went searching, near and far
Her look then locked with His! She froze and knew He knew her secrets, so She hid; He called her name and bid her join her younger peers She felt a surge of hope that purged her fears and soothed her deepest woe His eyes sent doves of peace! Soon ceased her tears
As she approached, He coaxed each step; His face was young and bright Its radiance burned away her shame and proved to her, her worth He pulled her in and told her, “You are precious in my sight” (2) Her scar was healed! This moment, her rebirth
Throughout the many moons that followed, each retold their story How Christ had held them tightly in His arms, and in His gaze And how such holding freed that girl, refurbishing her glory Inviting all to welcome that embrace
This Healer still repeats His plea, “Come unto Me” and rest (3) To restless ones whose guilt and pride give rise to hopeless pain “Unless you be converted and become like little children Youwill not enter into Heaven’s Reign” (4) *****
(Preamble: this is a loose paraphrase with “artistic license” of the account of Exodus 3-4, in a spirit of reverence to the holy Word of God and to God’s holy prophet St. Moses)
********** The LORD appeared to Moses in an unburnt bush, aflame He’d heard the Hebrews groaning Under Pharoah’s lash of shame So God told Moses to return and free them from their tears Yet Moses’ heart was cramped with doubt and fear
“BUT who am I to go to Pharaoh? Who am I to plead? BUT I can’t save your people! I’m a nobody, indeed!” His BUT’s got in his way, but couldn’t counter God’s rebuttals Away from God’s command, he couldn’t scuttle
So God said, “I’ll be with you; very soon this sign you’ll see: One day upon this mountain You will serve and worship me! Yet Moses wasn’t ready to say yes to God’s request He moved from BUT’s to IF’s in his distress
“So IF I were to go to all the Israelites and say ‘Your God has sent me to you!’ And then they ask Your name? What shall I say?” The LORD replied, “Say, I AM WHO I AM (1) Your forebears’ God, beginning with Abraham”
“BUT what if they do not believe or listen to my words BUT say, ‘The LORD did not appear! That’s crazy! That’s absurd!’” The LORD replied, “What’s in your hand?” and Moses said, “A staff” God ordered, “Throw it down on My behalf”
He tossed it down; it changed into a snake (perhaps an asp) The LORD said, “Grasp its tail” It changed back into a staff! Next God instructed Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak” He did, then pulled it out, turned white as snow!
“Now put your hand back in your cloak”, said God, and he obeyed When he pulled it out again It was back to normal shade! Despite these signs, he let another BUT soon block his way With patient love, God listened to him pray
“BUT LORD, I’m slow of speech!” A good excuse? It was a dud “Who gives strength to speak at all? You’ll change water into blood! For I’ll be with you, and I’ll tell you what to say”, God said Then Moses cried, “Send someone else instead!”
The LORD had Aaron, Moses’ brother, join him as his speaker Then sent them on their quest Egypt’s “gods” proved all the weaker God freed those slaves, and still today frees slaves from cruel misers Like IF’s and BUT’s and other paralyzers
The Pharaoh and his slav’ry are true symbols of our foes: The sin and death that CAPTURED us And Satan’s “empty show” The NEW Moses, Christ Jesus, by His death and rising, freed us! He RESCUED us; His Spirit now will lead us!
The next time some BUT blocks you as you follow God each day Like, “BUT I’m just not strong enough” Or, “BUT I can’t, no way!” Recall the words of Paul, “I can do ALL through Christ Who strengthens me” (2) And then get off your BUT’s…
(Note: this poem is not meant to summarize the thought or teachings of religious leaders. My hope is that it will spark interest in truth-seekers to further study)
*****
Confucius say, he found a way to truth and moral life But Jesus say, “I AM the way, The Truth, the Life”…
… Your strength in strife“
(Jn. 14:6)
The Buddha say, deny yourself; remove desire; be free But Jesus say, “deny [your]self, and bear [your] cross…
… Then follow me”
(Lk 14:27)
Pelagius say, a man can climb to heaven without grace But Jesus say, “without me you can nothing do”…
… Not even first base
(Jn. 15:5)
Mohammed say, “to Jesus I am nearest” “of all men”* But Jesus say, “The Father (God) and I are One”…
… “All knees shall bend“
(Jn. 10:30; Phil. 2:10)
(*from a widely-reported hadith…)
The Mormons say, the Christ began his life like any man But Jesus say, “Abe saw My day; before he was…
… I AM”
(Jn. 8:48)
The Witnesses say, the Christ was made a strong but lesser god But Jesus say, “All pow’r’s been giv’n By God to Me”…
… His staff and rod
(Mt. 28:18; Psalm 23)
Baháʼí Faith say, He’s one of many prophets to be awed But Jesus say, He is The One Foretold of old…
…The prophets‘ God
(Mt. 26:64)
Some people say, He’s just a guru preaching wisdom lessons But St. Paul say, He IS “God’s Wisdom” Truly sharing…
… God’s own Essence
(1 Cor. 1:24)
A Man once said, “None come to Father [God] except through Me” He asked His own, “Who do you say I am?” Then one Replied, “The Christ!”
He still invites
All those who seek
To come and drink
“the water of life that has no cost or price”
(Jn. 14:6, Mt. 16:16, Rev. 22:17, John 7:37)
*****
“There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
*from a widely-reported hadith, Mohammed said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary.”https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3443
When you stretch a friendly hand To lift a struggling peer You’ll find yourself uplifted quick “More blest” it is to seek “to give… “Than to receive”, it’s clear
Gifts bestowed on needy folks Or checks cut to cut pain Deposit to your bank above! When Scrooge’s greed met Tim’s great need * It died! To both their gain
If you donate valuables To charity or thrift store You’ll store up endless treasures where Not “moth or rust” nor “thieves” will bust Forever to endure
As you shine your faith-light bright Upon a cancer fighter It bounces back upon yourself Freshhope appears! Venetian mirrors Could not reflect it brighter
“As you give to other men So also you receive Good measure… poured into your lap” Your measure will be used for you Where “eye has never seen”
*****
*A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt. 6:19-20)
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Lk. 6:38)
Could God be Almighty- yet tiny and poor? Creator of planets- forgotten, ignored? Invincible Lord- but breakable, frail? The words of the Bible these myst’ries unveil
The tininess of God displayed In Bethlehem’s babe Cute and small (Lk. 2)
The poverty of God portrayed In Galilee’s tramp Shunned by all (Mt. 8:20; Mk. 14:71)
Our God’s “dismissability” In Nazareth’s son “without honor” (Mk. 6:4)
The Lord’s preferred fragility In Calvary’s Lamb Led to slaughter (Is. 53:7)
God’s weakness, smallness, helplessness, and utter breakability
Are found in ev’ry person full-endowed with all His features (Gen. 1)
And found in ev’ry Eucharistic Host! For shareability
Empow’ring us to heal Him hidden in His broken creatures (Mt. 25)
Jesus taught his disciples a lesson they’d never forget
A jaw-dropping lesson
A perspective-widening lesson
A faith-building lesson
This lesson is for modern-day disciples, too
Jesus said something amazing
Not to Peter, not to James, not to John
But to a pagan, a non-Jew
Not just any pagan, but a Canaanite pagan
A descendant of the ancient enemies of the Jews
He said to her, “Great is your faith”
What was so great about it?
It wasn’t ordinary faith
It was expectant faith
Persistent faith
Cheerful faith
Dogged faith
Relentless faith
To sum up
Cheerful, Relentless, Expectant faith
This excellent woman exercised her faith
She exhorted Jesus to exorcise her child
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But Jesus kept mum
Not a word from the Word made Flesh
Jesus’ disciples whined like puppies
“Send her away, for she keeps shrieking out after us.”
Jesus broke his silence
“It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the pet dogs”
Isn’t He being cruel? Insulting? UnChristian?
Consider the WAY he says it
With a gruff voice and a stern look?
Or, with an inviting voice, and twinkle in his eye?
Like someone playing hard to get?
Like the Bridegroom in the Song of Songs?
His words did not throw her off his trail
With cheerful, relentless, expectant faith she hounded him
“Please, Lord, for even the pet dogs eat the scraps that fall from their Master’s table.”
His joy bubbled up, His eyes lit up
Like a proud Father, he cried,
“O woman, great is your faith!”
“Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And He exorcised her child
Because she’d exercised her faith
Cheerful, relentless, expectant faith
[What are you praying for? What have you stopped praying for? Maybe for your relative who’s in an abusive relationship, or who suffers from cancer or depression, or who won’t talk to you anymore. Maybe for your spouse who has major health issues and you take care of your spouse although you weren’t trained to be a home care worker. Maybe for strength as you take care of a child with special needs. Maybe for a job. Maybe for help to quit- smoking, or drinking too much or gambling too much or looking at harmful images online. Maybe you feel like living proof of Murphy’s Law, that everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong. Whatever it is, whatever you’re praying for or have stopped praying for, Jesus gives you this story of the Canaanite woman today, to encourage you, to excite you, to inspire you to pray like she prayed, with great faith! Pray with me: Jesus, Master, grant me great faith. Give me faith like you gave the Canaanite woman. Cheerful, relentless, expectant faith. So that one day soon I’ll hear you say to me what you said to her: “Let it be done for you as you wish!”]
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 