Sunday, February 26, 2017

A Poem for Ash Wednesday

Image credit: pinterest.com


ASH WEDNESDAY REFLECTION

It’s Ash Wednesday—

Off in the distance, I hear thunder
thunder, like the sound of a big bass drum

There’s a BOOM and a BOOM and a BOOM
and a BOOM

like ticking and ticking and ticking
of a clock     Like a pulse     pulsing
Like beats     Heartbeats

Mine—

I’m reminded of time wasted
and time used wisely
of goals realized
and goals not met

Have I said the important things?
Have I done them?
Have I given enough?
Have I loved enough?     Forgiven?
Accepted forgiveness?

Is the world better because I’m here?

Have I done what I need to do       with God?

I listen for the next strike to the drum
and the next

BOOM and a BOOM and a BOOM

I don’t want the rhythm to stop

but       it will

I recall our vigil at Joanne’s bedside—
Remember holding my breath, waiting for her next
waiting for each heartbeat       Wishing
my hoping were enough
to keep her

The beat goes on     It won’t falter

until     BOOM and a BOOM…..BOOM
and     silence

dead silence

and that’s it



That’s when God takes over


Maude Carolan Pych



Sunday, February 19, 2017

God Said, "I AM."

I AM WHO I AM
Exodus 3:14

God said—
I Am

He was utterly
straightforward

Exists—

Is
Am

The most important
question
          answered
in the audible voice
of the Almighty
Himself

even without
the asking

Tell them, He told Moses

I Am
sent you

That He Is
Was
and Ever Shall Be—

is

the greatest
          manifestation
                   of our peace


Maude Carolan Pych   

Sunday, February 12, 2017

I Want Everyone to Love Him, but...

Image credit: photoquotes.com

I CAN'T MAKE YOU LOVE HIM

I can't make you love Him if you don't
can't strike a match
to cause your heart to blaze
at the mention of His Name
can't cause you to tremble
as I tremble
before His holiness
can't jumpstart love
from the outside in
It only happens from the inside out

No matter how much I love you

loving Him
is not something you can get from me
like a cup of mulled cider or a hug
not something you can inherit
like good genes, strong teeth or curly hair
not something I can demonstrate
like how to knead dough or rhyme couplets
nor is it something I can gift-wrap
tie with a crimson ribbon
and give you to make you happy

No, all I can do is tell the old, old story
about His beauty, as I perceive it
His mercy, as I've experienced it
His wonders and His love
All I can do is hope, pray
and wait

Truth will not impose
Truth waits to be sought
Answers wait for age-old questions
The Door waits for your knock

When He opens
you'll find He's been expecting you
already loving you

No, I can't make it easy, although it can be
I embarked on my quest; you'll embark on yours
No, I can't make you love Him if you don't
but should your quest lead you to His heart
I'll be waiting, like the One inside the Door

to dance in the glow of His grandeur with you

Maude Carolan

Monday, February 6, 2017

At the Beautiful Springs of Engedi...

Photo credit: freerepublic.com


AT THE WATER BROOKS
Israel Pilgrimage--2006

We stop briefly
at a verdant oasis
in the wilderness—
the Springs of Engedi
where long ago in a cave nearby
David spared the life of Saul

A crystalline waterfall descends
from high above our heads
into a sparkling pool at our feet

Our rabbi tells us
deer and ibex
hyrax and rock badgers
roam these hills
and that in the shade
of the caves
psalmists of old
likely scrawled
timeless verses

My mind’s eye
envisions a son of Korah
sitting upon a rock
at the mouth of a cave
ministering unto the Lord
on a hot day—

Suddenly a thirsty deer
appears and begins
lapping cool, refreshing water
from the stream—
            hence, Psalm 42

As the deer pants
for the water brooks,
So my soul pants
for You, O God…

We begin to sing the psalm—
our own souls thirsting
for the Living God
of the ages

as our eyes dart about
searching for deer or ibex

or a snippet
of Saul’s garment
shorn by the blade
of David’s swift sword


Maude Carolan Pych