Isn’t it nice … Isn’t it neat … when someone gives you a gift - when you least expect one? A small white thin cardboard box of specialty cookies – a bottle of never heard of before wine – a book of Mary Oliver’s poems – and a compliment? And you sit there sipping the wine, eating two chocolate chip cookies – reading a poem – but the sort of sideways compliment – ends up being the greatest gift you’ve tasted in a long, long time. Thank you.
“To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment.”
George Woodberry
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
TRIGGERED FEELINGS
The title of my homily is, “Triggered Feelings.” I read the readings in the morning for a homily for this
Tuesday day. Like listening to a song – the words of the readings send
me triggered feelings. Like Jacob I’ve crossed rivers – and fords of rivers - to get to where I am right now. Sometimes I’m with family and friends; sometimes l feel
left alone at the shore. I’ve think about the times I’ve wrestled with my unknowns
– and as a result I have a wrenched hip bone at the socket – in my struggles –
but to make the struggle worth while I say, “I will not let you go Struggle until you bless me.” I wait – await – for a blessing. I’ve been asked, “What’s your name?” I answer, “Jacob. My unknown struggle says, “You shall no longer be spoken
of as Jacob, but as Israel,because you
have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” I ask my unknown struggle its name. I get no answer – no reply - only a goodbye. I name the place Penuel – Hebrew for – “Seeing God face
to face.” I move on with a limp – for the rest of my life. I have
others only I can see. I move on…. One day I realize I really can’t speak. Some days are like that. Ever feel that way, “I don’t know
what to say.” I’m face to face with Jesus. Someone – something – brought me to Jesus. And Jesus drives out the demons that hold me back: fear,
shame, dumb, the dumb things I do – addictive - and at times - I don’t know why I do the
things I do.Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Jesus walking around the world looks for people like me. He proclaims the Gospel of the kingdom – curing every
disease and illness. He is moved with pity for someone like me – someone who
feels troubled and abandoned at times. I feel like a sheep without a shepherd. I’m harvest for the master of the harvest. I’m wheat. I’m flour. I’m bread.Life! Others!Take and eat me up. I guess Jesus walks around hearing songs – the triggered
feelings of people like me.
July 6, 2021
July 6, 2020
BEACH EDGE MORNING
I like to walk along the edge of the ocean and the beach. It’s a game – jumping back – away from the inflowing waves. This edge of the earth has this most soft jagged edge. The sand pipers play this game way better than me- but …. But I can look ahead and see more morning travelers – or …. Or the sun rising – or a fishing boat stopping – or a surfer …. Knowing this is my morning prayer,this is how I like to walk on the edge of a new day.
“There’s
no right way of writing.There’s only
your way.”
Milton Lomask
Monday, July 5, 2021
July 5, 2021
IN MY
POCKET
What’s the one thing I find in my pocket the most? Paper. Obviously - it’s paper of course. Names of people. Phone numbers. Addresses. Names of books. The first three lines of the first draft of a poem. Tissues. Questions. Reminders. Calling cards. Okay, I’m stuck in the past. In your pocket, you have only your iPhone.
