Weekly Inspiration (3/17/23)

Quote of the Week

As Christians, we have a gospel to proclaim. That gospel gives us an identity. It shapes our vision. It renews our purpose. It fills us with hope. As an individual I can tell you who I am by telling you my story. As Christians we can remind ourselves who we are by telling one another the story of Jesus and how he has brought to each of us the good news of release, recovery, and redemption. 

-Br. James Koester 
Society of Saint John the Evangelist 

Poem of the Week

Those who wait for the Holy One shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
 they shall walk and not faint. 

                                                —Isaiah 40.31 

You who stagger, who are weary, 
who bend under the weight, unable; 
you who despair, 
who tread a path of duty but not hope; 
you who put your head down and go 
and don't let up for fear you'll quit forever— 

you can stop. Rest.  
For indeed: this job, you cannot do. 
This weight, you can't carry. 
This journey, you can't finish. 
Not alone. Give it up.  

Breathe in and out.  
The breath is not yours. It's a gift. 
In your weakness lighten your load. 
Set it all down. 

Now, know this: it is God, not you 
who lifts you up on eagles' wings, 
who is your strength and your courage, 
your vision, your hope and your joy. 

Give up trying to fly. 
Let the Mighty One lift you up.   
What God wants to do in you 
God will do, and let go the rest.  
Let God's hope be yours. 
Let the Creator be your energy, 
the love of God your sustenance,  
the Spirit your stamina.  

God will rise up, 
and you, beloved siblings, 
will rise on God's wings, 
run on Christ's feet. 
God breathes in you.  
With that breath,  
that breath, 
rise, and go on. 

- by Steve Garnaas-Holmes