Psalm 18.1-19: A Child's Account

 (This prose poem was written in 2020)

As a child you depend on those bigger and stronger and wiser than you for protection. Such people are your rock, your fortress, your deliverer. Such people respond to children’s crises for help.

One day, before I knew how to swim, I was sitting at the edge of a neighbour’s swimming pool, dangling my feet in the water, while other children played. Suddenly, another child, in the spirit of good fun, pushed me into the pool.

I don’t remember if I screamed before my head went under. But I remember trying to see in the chlorinated water, thrashing around in fear, and the slowing of time as my hand—raised above my head—slowly slipped below the surface as I continued to sink.

Then the water became turbulent, shaking me to and fro with its force. A dark figure appeared before me, blurred by water and my fear.

Strong, firm hands grabbed by body, pulled me to the surface, out of the water, and sat me on the edge of the pool. I remember coughing up water as I looked at her and cried. 

I don’t remember her face; I don’t remember her name. She was merely the mother of this neighbourhood home. But she drew me out of mighty waters. She brought me out into a broad place. She delivered me. And I—for one—am delighted she did so.

Psalm 109 Redacted

 (This poem was written in 2020)

Do not be silent, O God of my praise.

For harmful and deceitful mouths are opened against me,

speaking against me with lying tongues.

They beset me with words of hate,

and attack me without cause.

In return for my love, they accuse me,

even while I care for them.

So they reward me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.

Psalm 117: In Defence of Our Joy

 (This poem was written in 2020)

The Creator of the cosmos,

known to us as Yahweh,

is characterised by constant love

and commitment to all that exists.

Listen to what Yahweh has done for us,

then you will understand

our joy

and our praise of Yahweh.

For Yahweh seeks to pour out love

upon everything

and everyone.

You’ll see—

Yahweh is the best!

Psalm 87: The Divine Spark Within

 (This poem was written in 2020)

A song by the musicians of the Spirit.

Within each molecule—

each atom of matter;

down with the electrons

and the quarks

of Creation

is the Spirit of Existence

itself.

The Spirit of Existence

residing in you

and in me—

and in that beetle 

and that tree.

We are the city of God;

the holy mountain of Zion.

But some cry,

that stuff is

inorganic,

inert,

without any consciousness,

or at least no self-awareness!

That stuff is,

I reply,

imbued with the Spirit of Existence

itself.

God resides there.

Nothing can change that.

It is God who decides

where God will reside.

Within each molecule—

each atom of matter;

down with the electrons

and the quarks

of Creation

springs the Spirit of Existence

that draws breath

into human lungs.

The Formational Spiral: Developing Confidence and Resilience

( This is a poem original written in 2020.)

What is the difference between God

and Christ’s body when listening for the Call?

Can you trace the thin line between confidence

and self-sufficiency; between resilience

and doormat passivity? Is your anger

righteous? Or should you feel shame

for giving sin a foothold? Shame 

for letting guilt fester? God 

help you to be humble; to put your anger

to bed! Listen to the name-calling.

Learn to be resilient

even when your confidence

lies in shreds. You’ve heard confidence

is needed for success; that shame

is not of the LORD. Resilience

has been suggested, too. God

help you hold onto the Call!

You’re filled with righteous anger,

but maybe this anger

is just a sin, giving you confidence

and power, the ability to cling to the Call.

Pour on the shame!

Let yourself be reduced in size. God

is leading you down a different path. Resilience

becomes keeping your mouth shut; resilient

through the pain. Who will be angry

for you, if everyone is protected? God

is Love, but Justice, too! Can we not be confident

in that? You’re drowning in this shame

because we are not calling

a wrong a wrong. Instead we call

wrong a ‘perspective’ and ask for resilience

amidst abuse. Protecting douses you in shame

and turns your righteous anger

into sin. How will your confidence

survive? Or any sense of godliness?

Shame smothers any Call

to follow God with resilience.

Leaving impotent anger and shattered confidence.

A Lament for Our Times (2022)

From the sermon ‘Blessed Are Those Who Mourn’, 

preached on 13 March 2022 at Old Saint Paul’s Scottish Episcopal Church

O Lord,

Look upon our world in such distress:

With wars and violence,

With suffering and disease,

With greed that pollutes and plunders the earth.

Bring peace to those in war,

Healing to those in need,

And justice for your exploited Creation.

For you are our Lord;

Our God, who is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger,

And abounding in loving-kindness and faithfulness,

Who forgives iniquity and transgression and sin.

We will proclaim that you are a God who saves,

Who will bring Creation to wholeness;

Yet—even if we do not witness that with our own eyes—

We will still declare in hope and trust

That blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

Psalm 37: Psalm of (Adjusted) Proverbs

Avoid fretting over selfish people;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb; 
just as all humans do.

 

But focus on the bigger picture, and do good;

so that you live in simple thankfulness and don’t cling uselessly to transient things in life.

Take delight in that which is transcendent,

and allow yourself to be filled with gladness.

 

Commit your life to focussing outward;

engage with others,

and experience your interconnectedness

with all of Creation and with the Divine.

 

Do nothing from time to time,

and allow yourself simply to be;

do not worry about what others are doing;

do not get wrapped up in the comparison game.

 

Experience your anger but avoid reacting out of it; let go of your wrath.

Do not worry—it won’t accomplish anything beyond exhausting yourself.

Rash actions, motivated by fear, are dangerous.

It is better to be patient so as to act with calm clarity.

 

For selfish, impulsive, and greedy actions

will leave you unfulfilled,

their satisfaction, fleeting.

Delay gratification, and plan for the long-term.

 

Gluttonous people like to mock those seeking to serve others,

denying their own sense of guilt.

But such selfishness eventually

consumes itself.

 

Habitual self-centredness is harmful to others,

blind to the poor and needy, hostile to those trying to help.

Such self-centredness is subtle self-harm,

leaving one cut off from life-giving relationships and community.

 

It is better to value what little you have

than to constantly covet that which you do not,

for coveting leaves one always wanting,

but the satisfied will rest content.

 

Justified are those 

who put the needs of others before their own.

Their selflessness 

will be their legacy.

 

Know that all people will perish;

all are transient as annual plants;

they will vanish away 

like the smoke of an extinguished candle.

 

Loving themselves above all else, selfish people only take,

but generous people will keep on giving, regardless.

Giving and receiving are both gifts

to offer to those around us, in balance.

 

Maintaining contentedness in all circumstances

gives one confidence to move through various circumstances.

Then one is able to persevere through hardship,

moving forward in hope.

 

Now this I have observed in life:

those of both guilt and innocence have been forsaken,

and both the rich and the poor have been forced to beg.

Yet strive for goodness and to be a blessing to others.

 

Obviate the path of evil, and always seek to do good,

so that your good actions may persist forever.

For we must contribute to the justice

we so long to see in this world.

 

Perniciousness breeds death,

but magnanimity brings life.

We must strive to bring life wherever we go,

that life might triumph over death.

 

Quote wisdom,

and speak of justice.

Cherish them in your heart,

and let them guide your actions.

 

Ravenous for power,

the selfish prowl amongst others,

seeking to devour those who are weak.

But what goes around eventually comes around.

 

Survival of the fittest:

rules are coded in our evolutionary past.

But we as humans are fit enough now

to care for the Other.

 

Take notice of the great evils in this world;

you will probably see them always.

But, you, strive for good,

and be an agent of hope in this world.

 

Uphold those who bring good to this world;

they are beacons of hope for a better, more peaceful existence.

Don’t give acknowledgement to those who seek evil;

starve them of the limelight that feeds their egos.

 

Victory for the cosmos is greater wholeness for all;

transcending this present state is the hope that will take us there.

Live like the universe is on your side, willing you to be the best you can be, 

because maybe it is.

 

Welcome to the hazy grey areas of life,

where black or white thinking isn’t enough.

Be prepared to nuance and qualify;

negotiation is your friend.

 

Xenodochy must mark your actions

in a world overcome with xenophobia.

Care for the stranger, the widow, and the orphan;

transcend yourself.

 

Yearn for awe and wonder;

raise your consciousness.

Connect with the bee, the leaf, and the cloud.

Strive to see that which your eyes cannot see.

 

Zealously defend not your freedom or your rights,

but your compassion and integrity.

At the end of your days, may you be blameless,

and may you be filled with joy for the gifts of life that you have selflessly given.