Shining Spirit

I think I’m beginning to understand
what motivates this remarkable man.
He’s not like the others who tried to impress,
but left behind a terrible mess,
not to mention the pain their actions caused
or the times they flaunted the sacred laws.
No, Jesus is not like them.

Here’s a man who lives by faith and trust,
a principled man, one who must
speak the truth when the easier way
would be to smile and glibly say
cut a corner here, bend the rules if you can
and you will become a wealthy man
who knows the value of power.

Last week I saw him at the Beautiful Gate
explaining Torah and the spiritual state
of women and men oppressed and enslaved,
who live with no hope, yet try to be brave
as the army of Caesar and the Temple elite
threaten and bully everyone they meet.
But look what Jesus does.

He comforts the sad and consoles the weak,
heals the wounded and when he speaks
the crowds applaud and shout his name,
but I fear for his life, given his fame.
No one challenges Caesar and lives very long,
especially to suggest that Caesar is wrong.
There’s always a waiting cross.

I cautioned him the other day
but he told me quickly that he had to say
the truth, in spite of the risks involved.
Our problems, he said, are not readily solved
by giving in to the Roman regime
when our hope lies only in Yahweh’s dream,
a kingdom of justice and peace.

Yes, I think I’m beginning to understand
the purpose of this enlightened man.
He sees beyond all evil schemes.
He lives in a world of sacred dreams
that demand so much more than we’re willing to give.
He invites us to choose a new way to live.
He calls it the Kingdom of God

Sometimes, when you least expect it,
your find yourself standing in awe
of the oasis in the desert. Lean
against the shaded tree trunk for
a few minutes and listen to the
river’s song. Pure, clear water
carries two turtles under the
overhanging branches. As the
tree’s arching limbs move in the
afternoon breeze, speckles of
sunlight dance on the water,
diamonds demonstrating their
brilliance.

It is enough to refresh the
weariest traveler, to remind
each of us that in spite of
the frustrations, there are places
of peace. Along with the crushing
sadness of an unending pandemic,
the source of grief and mourning
for so many, there is still hope to
hold and promises to remember.

Does she know?
Is she aware of the
reality? Does she think
of herself as “average?”

She sees the other birds;
gray, black, unimpressive.
Has anyone ever told her
the truth?

You are beautiful! You have
been from your birth and
you are now. You fill the
world with that which only
you can give. Only you.

Among all the things that
live and breathe, you are
extraordinary. And I am
blessed to spend a moment
in time with you.

I’ve never done this before.
That’s a long way down there.
What? Jump? Now?
Okkkkkkkkk
Wow! This is great!
This is like flying!
Legs up for the landing.
That was awesome!
Let’s do it again.

Sometimes the difficult moment
turns out to be one for the books.
Great memory, experience of growth,
just plain fun. It takes courage to live
these days and the will to try.
The joy is not always in the landing,
sometimes it’s in the jumping.
Our bodies may be earth-bound,
but our spirits love to fly.
Fear not.

For all who have ears to hear,
take hope, for this is “The
Morning of Gladness,” this is
“The Day of Beginnings.”

I will see with the eyes of my heart.
I will be still. I will wait for
the common to burst into flame.
I will expect an experience of
genuine joy, and it will come.

In spite of my pain, out of my worry,
my heart will smile and I will sing
my song of gratitude to the
brightening eastern sky, as darkness
departs and the morning colors of
Light blend on creation’s canvas.

For all who have ears to hear,
be neither afraid nor reluctant.
This is “The Morning of Gladness.”
This is “The Day of Beginnings.”
This is your day. Hold it gently,
live it fearlessly, walk in gratitude
among the yellow daffodils.

I took a walk yesterday and I saw the ugliest thing!
I turned my eyes away from the pitiful giant.

I took a walk yesterday and I saw something unique.
I’ve never seen a saguaro like this,
so I took a picture of it for later study.

I took a walk yesterday and I was stopped in my tracks
by this strangely beautiful saguaro. I sat on the ground
for an hour taking in the shapes and curves and almost
mystical appearance. What a great gift to those of us
who walk this way.

Curious, isn’t it, how different eyes can see different things?

The earth laughs in flowers.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have lost my smile.
Don’t worry, the dandelions have it.
Tich Nhat Hanh

God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone,
but also on trees, and in the flowers
and clouds and stars.
Martin Luther

The delicate artistry, so beautifully crafted,
is but one example of the abundance
of God’s gracious love
for all creation.
The One who creates, cares.
The One who cares, sustains.
The One who sustains,
walks by your side.
Thanks be to God!
Amen.