Detachment

There is a worldly conceit,

a love of selfish success,

the trappings of façades,

the false appeal of trifles.

“The world’s joys are bewitching.

Its people are appealing.

Its counterfeit joys,

although shallow, catch many.”[1]

So, make acts of thanksgiving

for the graces and blessings

of holy poverty… Be

happy with a humble soul.

Saved from unrestrained pleasure,

from a life of carelessness,

from having to possess stuff,

from incessant transaction.

This is the world’s misery.

So, detach and be happy.

The Spirit is Wordless

amid indulgent pleasure.

Rather, loaded with God’s grace

enjoy the gift of blessings

in the caring, kind, gentle,

sweet things of the greater good.

“Love not the world, nor the things

which are in the world. If any

person loves the world, the love

of Abba is not in him.”[2]

[1] Father Judge Meditations p211

[2] l Jn. 2:15

Do You Love Me?

1a retelling of John 21: 15-17

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, would you die for me as I died for you?”

Lord, I would give you anything you ask for.”

Jesus said, “Share my Way.”

A little later, Jesus asked, “Simon, would you stand in harm’s way for me?”

“Lord, you know that I totally support everything you stand for.”

Jesus said, “Take care of our friends.”

Later still, Jesus asked, “Simon, will you be my friend always?”

Peter was upset because Jesus kept challenging him. So, he said, “Lord, considering all we’ve been through together, surely you know we are best friends.”

Jesus said, “Pray together to stay together”

Do You Love Me?

1a retelling of John 21: 15-17

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, would you die for me as I died for you?”

Lord, I would give you anything you ask for.”

Jesus said, “Share my Way.”

A little later, Jesus asked, “Simon, would you stand in harm’s way for me?”

“Lord, you know that I totally support everything you stand for.”

Jesus said, “Take care of our friends.”

Later still, Jesus asked, “Simon, will you be my friend always?”

Peter was upset because Jesus kept challenging him. So, he said, “Lord, considering all we’ve been through together, surely you know we are best friends.”

Jesus said, “Pray together to stay together”

Wisdom

Wisdom is “listening”

to the heart in between beats…

The sounds of silence speak

quietly and pursue peace.

Wisdom is “prudence”

of vision devoid of projection…

Reflective dreams reveal

the transparency of facts.

Wisdom is “truth”

in speech shunning deceit…

Words are full of grace

when blessed with fruit

Wisdom is “detached”

from the world avoiding deals…

The have-to of being involves

commitment to the response.

Wisdom is “compassion”

for all without judgment…

Indifference requires

gentle mercy with kindness.

Wisdom

Wisdom is “listening”

to the heart in between beats…

The sounds of silence speak

quietly and pursue peace.

Wisdom is “prudence”

of vision devoid of projection…

Reflective dreams reveal

the transparency of facts.

Wisdom is “truth”

in speech shunning deceit…

Words are full of grace

when blessed with fruit

Wisdom is “detached”

from the world avoiding deals…

The have-to of being involves

commitment to the response.

Wisdom is “compassion”

for all without judgment…

Indifference requires

gentle mercy with kindness.

Independence

Truth is trustworthy –

we the people uphold

freedom and liberty

Freedom pursues harmony…

Liberty seeks peace…

Serving the common good

Fulfills needs and satisfies wants

in the pursuit of happiness.

Inalienable rights suggest

a greater good to behold

with attentive awareness.

Freedom kindly submits…

Liberty graciously responds…

Startingly submission

involves initiative

with detachment.

Heartily the response

assumes obedience

with honesty with loyalty

Independence

Truth is trustworthy –

we the people uphold

freedom and liberty

Freedom pursues harmony…

Liberty seeks peace…

Serving the common good

Fulfills needs and satisfies wants

in the pursuit of happiness.

Inalienable rights suggest

a greater good to behold

with attentive awareness.

Freedom kindly submits…

Liberty graciously responds…

Startingly submission

involves initiative

with detachment.

Heartily the response

assumes obedience

with honesty with loyalty

Independence

Truth is trustworthy –

we the people uphold

freedom and liberty

Freedom pursues harmony…

Liberty seeks peace…

Serving the common good

Fulfills needs and satisfies wants

in the pursuit of happiness.

Inalienable rights suggest

a greater good to behold

with attentive awareness.

Freedom kindly submits…

Liberty graciously responds…

Startingly submission

involves initiative

with detachment.

Heartily the response

assumes obedience

with honesty with loyalty

Reflection

i see my outlook

in the water’s Reflection

i pause and linger

listening in Contemplation

awed by vision’s breadth

unlike a mirror

the Wind plays with the image

rippling with clarity

squinting i focus

the Image and Likeness realized

restores fluency

in peace i settle

to Ruminate the appearance

chewing on insight’s cud

it is breathtaking

the scene’s Transfiguration gleams

with transparency

so, i rest assured

in the Testimony

Paradox – Halfway

There are always

possibilities

on my life’s way

Never arrived

belittles the endless journey.

The end, indeed, is not in sight,

we are here and thus… not all there.

A prolonged path

is not a lack of advancement;

rather, it’s a lovely outcome

to following a divine call.

Advancing truth

is always an unfinished task,

not assessed by length or breadth,

but realized in harmony.

Lesson learned:

Progress is not determinate –

Truth is revealed along the way,

and rarely reasoned through logic.

Motion is a fiction

is untenable –

change is real.