Ocean swim, or kiddie pool? Beach, or box of sand? Lazy boy, or shaky stool? Christmas gift so cool… Or socks so bland?
Crème brûlée, or mud pie? Disney World, or tourist trap? Father’s House, or pigsty? Forty winks of shut eye… Or cat nap?
Roaring fire, or candle flame? Chess, or Tic-Tac-Toe? Honey sweet, or aspartame? Roses fresh for dame… Or faux?
Tie the knot, or “test drive”? Send a prayer, or “thought”? Joy that lasts, or quick dies? Trusting Him Who did rise… Or fretting-fraught… A lot afraid… Until that day the farm’s bought?
******
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.” -C.S. Lewis
“A house divided ‘gainst itself Can’t stand” is said in passing Who spoke it first? Abe Lincoln? Or The “President” Whose “term” is everlasting (Mt 12:25)
Big Arnold’s “I’ll be back!” is quoted Lots by gals and guys But One both promised AND fulfilled “They’ll kill Him; then In three days He will rise” (Mk 9:31)
Quote: “With great pow’r comes great Responsibility”- Inspired! A Peter Parker paraphrase “To whom is given much Much then will be required” (Lk 12:48)
A Kansan’s quip, “There’s no place like home!” Expressed by longing faces Recalls a pledge impressing hope “My Father’s Home Has many dwelling places” (Jn 14:2)
The title “greatest in the world” Is claimed by only some Augustus, Trajan, Genghis Kahn Yet once a Rabbi dared to claim “The world I’ve overcome” (Jn 16:33)
D’you think that quote, “to find yourself Is to lose yourself” sounds squalid? This Gandhi quote falls short of Christ’s: “Who’d lose their life For Me, will find it” solid (Mt 16:25)
That golden “Love your neighbor” phrase Has gotten massive cover Yet Christ commands a greater rule “As I’ve loved you So you must love each other” (Jn 13:34)
By many tongues His words resound Like, “Turn the other cheek” “No greater love”; “Be not afraid” “Ask and you’ll receive”… His echoes free, enflame, and guide… all those who dare to seek
Inspired by and quoting the poem Pike’s Peak, later lyrics for the song America the Beautiful, by Katharine Lee Bates (1893)
“O beautiful for spacious skies”, America! we sing Directing thanks and songs towards The One Who grants this land’s rewards All spacious, amber, purple, fruited, shining things! Glad offerings Which beauty’s Source affords
“O beautiful for pilgrim feet”, America! we see Discov’ring that those feet and drums That beat the streets to save us from All tyrants glum, were guided by The One unseen Who sets us free As freedom’s Source and Sum
“O beautiful for heroes proved”, America! we hail Yet hailing most Whose words enthrall: “No greater love” than to give one’s all (Jn. 15:13) Who urges each To let His fire refine their gold When courage fails As valor’s Source and Call
“O beautiful for patriot dream”, America! we praise Yet praising most Who shares our tears As we beat pruning hooks to spears (Is. 2:4)
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.‘”
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see AND Be Careful Little Mind What You Think There’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love So “put on the mind Christ”, with Him sync (Phil. 2:5)
Oh Lord, You said, “One day, all that is hidden will be known” (Luke 8:17) So keep me mindful of my thoughts, which all will see that day “The Lord sees not as people see”, who glimpse just what is shown (1 Sam 16:7) For “God sees in the heart”! Lord, guard my every thought I pray
(Note- contains what you might call theological speculation)
*****
Each time I think an unkind thought ’bout someone in the street I look to his own future self outside of space and time And ask him to forgive me, hoping one day him to meet To share with him the Bridegroom’s wine
Bright as the sun, we’ll shine
When tempting thoughts invade my mind about some lovely dame I turn to her designer, God, who made and knows her well And pray, “Your masterpiece!” to nip the bud of sinful shame Then with a laugh the snake I tell,
“Nice try, now go to hell!”
But if I fall into his trap; abuse my mind through lust I turn toward her future self beyond all space and time And beg, “Forgive me!” Then I say the same to God with trust He shows me mercy seven times seven
He fast forgets my crime
Each Mass we pray the “I confess” to God and friends on earth And asking friends in heav’n to intercede for us with God Including all who’ll later die, washed clean in Christ’s own Blood To tread the narrow path to heaven
The Barque of Mother Church has weathered storms throughout the ages
Her wisdom grows each passing year through Christ-like saints and sages
Who contemplate her Founder’s Words upon red-lettered pages
Including words some list’ners- then and now- have found outrageous
*
“Eat my Flesh and drink my Blood and you’ll have life unending”
“This is my Body” and “my Blood”- Christ changed the bread and wine
Into His very Presence at that Supper- His Heart rending
And poured out His own Blood that we might with His presence shine
* Christ offers lovers of His Heart His Presence at each Mass And afterwards He stays with us, the tabernacle’s Guest If scandals make you question, “Should I leave?” Recall our anchor: The Eucharist! He’s there for us whenever we’re distressed
Christ Je-sus heals-
The young man’s blind eyes
To let- him gaze-
Into HIS own eyes
The Sa-vior heals-
OUR spiritual sight
To let- us see-
His bright guiding light
Messi-ah heals-
Our blind eyes to roam
This earth-
In light of our heavenly home
And time-
In light of eternity-
Our lives-
In light of our destiny-
When I- was young-
Christ mudded my eyes
He smeared- it well-
And told me to rise
I washed- and SAW-
“But when?” you might say
He healed- my sight-
At baptism day
(Inspired by comment on John 9:3 in Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, RSV, Second Catholic Edition, Ignatian Press, 2010
Jesus is the “Bread of Life” – He gives Himself as Food (John 6:35)
Christ, Life-giving “Fount of Life” – my soul with strength imbued (John 7:37)
Jesus is “Immanuel” – “God with us” in the flesh (Isaiah 7:14)
Christ, the brand new baby born – The “News” that’s always fresh (Luke 2)
Jesus, “Bridegroom” of our souls – He calls us to His Feast (Matt. 9:15; Luke 14:15)
Christ, the “Servant of the Lord” – Who serves the last and least (Acts 4:29-30)
Jesus, “Savior” of the world – there’s POWER in his Name (Luke 2:11)
Christ, “Good Shepherd” of our souls – Who seeks the lost and lame (John 10:11)
Jesus is the “Son of God” – Who’s also Mary’s son (Matthew 3:17)
Christ, “Messiah”, “Lamb of God” – His death forgiveness won (John 1:41; John 1:29)
Jesus, God and “Son of Man” – Divine and human One (Luke 19:10)
Christ, “I Am” ‘fore Abraham – And ‘fore time was begun (John 8:58)
Jesus, our “Deliverer” – The devil’s plans upended (1 Thessalonians 1:10; John 8:36)
Christ, the “Judge” of you and me – When earthly life is ended (Acts 10:42)
Jesus is the “King of Kings” – Whose Kingdom love bestows
Christ, the very “Lord of Lords” – Who overcomes all foes (Revelation 17:14)
Jesus is the “Lord of All” – “Above all names”, HIS Name
Christ, confessed by every tongue – All knees bent to HIS fame (Philippians 2:9-11)
Jesus, “Lion of Judah’s Tribe” – His Roar gives Satan flight (Revelation 5:5)
Christ, “The Light” of all the world – His foll’wers have life’s light (John 8:12)
Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” – Earth’s peace can’t hold a candle (Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 2:14)
Christ, “Our Hope” in life’s dismay – There’s nothing He can’t handle (1 Timothy 1:1)
Jesus, “Life” and “Resurrection” – Faith in Him makes clean (John 11:2)
Christ, “The Way, the Truth, and Life” (John 14:6) – “The Door” to pastures green (John 10:9; Psalm 23)
Jesus, “Great High Priest” for us – And “pleasing sacrifice” (Hebrews 4:14; Mark 1:11)
Christ, the Church’s “Cornerstone” – For sin, His life the price (Psalm 118:22; Ephesians 1:22)
Jesus is the “Vine” of life – His branches to enthrall (John 15:1)
Christ, “The Word” with God above – In THIS Word God said ALL (John 1:1)
(Ask Him to come into your heart today, tomorrow, and every day!)
At least once a year
Go on Retreat
A time to rest in the Shepherd’s Arms
A time to hear your Beloved call you His Beloved
A time to fall in love again
A time for receiving, not giving
A time for “Ora”, not “Labora”
A time for listening, not speaking
A time to be filled, not to be poured
A time for being, not doing
A time to “BE”
A time to “be still and know that God is God” (and you are not)
A time for receiving the Sap of the Spirit as a branch on Christ the Vine
A time to be pruned by the Vinedresser, through solitude, silence, scripture, sacraments, and spiritual direction
A time of “Marian receptivity”, not “Marthian activity”
So treat your body, treat your mind, treat your soul…
Go on retreat
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 