Weekly Inspiration (3/20/24)

“The great temptation, even sin, of our age is to find our worth only through what we have accomplished. The great gift and grace we find in the Gospel is that our real worth lies in having been made in the image and likeness of God. It is in that image and likeness of God – being clothed with Christ in baptism – that lies our true worth.”

Br. James Koester
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Poem of the Week

The Ultimate Unrequited Love
by Christina Hopp

I would have told Hosea to leave her.
No one should have to hold on, I’d say,
to a heart that doesn’t want them back.

No one deserves a straying soul, a fleeting kiss,
someone who devotes themselves more to the dirt
than ever to him.

There are better women with less stains on their clothes,
I’d convince him, they will love you like you deserve.
You shouldn’t have to crucify your sainthood
for the sake of her.

I would have told Hosea to leave her.
But I’m glad he wouldn’t have listened.
Because, how many times have I deserved to be forsaken?
How long have I fought off my destiny of being
loved unconditionally?

Since my first breath, born with clenched fists,
I’ve lived half in the shadows, half in my idols,
half in the worth I find by giving myself away to
temporary places.

How many times have I been an imperfect bride?
I’m a goner, I’m Gomer, and I would have left me
a long time ago.

But instead of moving on, God
never did, for His grace covers me more
than my mistakes ever could.