Sunday, February 27, 2011

Resurrection Day

Leaving death behind,
he walks in the garden.
Dew glitters at his feet
baptizing the world
with new life.
The curse is broken.
The birds sing 
full-throated with joy.
Only the woman weeps,
seeing him through tears.
Wipe your tears,
Heaven's child.
He is here,
and with us forever.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Consuming Fire

"Our God is a consuming fire."

In the darkness
of the cold tomb
a light kindles.

Life explodes
out of death
In bright glory.

This consuming fire
burns up fear,
destroys despair.

"He is risen,"
the angels shout
In ecstasy.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Headed Home

Sometimes the years are heavy,
burdened with the weight 
of remembered sins.
Sometimes the years are light
like a summer breeze
rushing by my cheek.

In my weariness you strengthen me,
in my exuberance you anchor me.
When all things shift and change
You are the calm center,
the unchanging beacon
lighting the pathway home.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Transformation

I bring you a gift, O my Lord.
Take it if you will, 
this granite rock. 
I lay it on your altar,
hard and cold,
a shriveled lump.
And now I kneel and lean to you,
my mouth open to receive.
Your life quickens me.
Your blood revives me.
Your divinity transforms.
In our shared silence
a heart begins to beat.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Friends in high places

On lonely nights
I whisper low
a chant I taught
my lips to know.

I've got friends in high places
watching my back.
I've got friends with bright graces
my soul may lack.


When Satan's snares
entrap my feet
I shout aloud
to his defeat:

I've got friends in high places
watching my back.
I've got friends with bright graces
my soul may lack.


When weakness looms
To my distress
I have a creed
I can confess.

I've got friends in high places
watching my back.
I've got friends with bright graces
my soul may lack.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Communion prayer

The priest says, "Learn to listen
with the ears of your heart."
My heart is noisy, Lord,
full of clamoring thoughts,
yapping fears, senseless distractions.
How will I ever hear
the whisper of your voice?

In mercy you provide
a silence born of grace.
Sheltered in love's embrace,
I kneel and receive you.
The world fades to nothing.
The ears of my heart open.
Speak, Lord, for I listen.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

The angel's visit

The angel was beauty
that burned like a fire.
His brightness scorched the air.
He sent words of thunder
rolling through her heart,
a lightening bolt of truth,
unbearable light.

The woman was beauty
that lay like a sweet balm
on raw wounds torn open
by the ancient rebellion.
The angel marveling
saw she had the strength
To bear the heavenly weight.

With a humble spirit she
opened her heart to hear.
With the courage of faith she
opened her lips to speak.
"Let it be done to me
according to thy word."