Weekly Inspiration (11/16/22)

When I came to faith, one of my greatest discoveries was that I could speak freely and openly with Jesus. It was wonderful to sit down in the evening and look back over the day in company with him. At first it seemed quite strange to be able to chat with God so freely. But as I did so, I felt God’s hand gently guiding and restoring me.  

- Br. Geoffrey Tristram 
Society of St. John the Evangelist

Poem of the Week

 The people stood by, watching; 
 but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, 
 “He saved others; let him save himself 
    if he is the Messiah of God, God's chosen one!” 
The soldiers also mocked him, 
coming up and offering him sour wine, 
  and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 
 —Luke 23.35-37

No matter how imperious we are 
in our judgments, how absolute in our violence,
we are wrong. 
No matter how it is scorned,
love reigns supreme. 
Despite how it is desecrated,
holiness endures.
Though it is maligned and violated,
the mercy of God prevails.
No matter how we object,
grace is the foundation of the world.
Regardless of how cruelly you are treated,
you, Beloved, are still the chief of our hearts.

We are still eating of the tree,
still convinced we know good and evil,
though we do not. 

The cross and the empty grave
are when God calls bull****
on all our judgments and violence.

No matter what we insist, 
or how strongly,
only love is right. 
Only love reigns supreme.

 - Steve Garnaas-Holmes