Beauty Has Been Restored*

there are always

            possibilities

and I feel so

            overwhelmed

I get stuck on

            what I want

rather than go

            the way opens

prayers are answered

            despite questions

I must listen

            attentively

accept the signs

            with awareness

and embrace

            the consequence

some choices bring

            desolation

some result in

            consolation

acceptance

            and indifference

reveal how futile

            is resistance

a power for good

            community

engenders

            a greater good

and I rest assured

            in the beholder

for Beauty has been

restored

*Navajo Nation mantra

S. E. R.

The past five years have been momentous…

moment to moment stupendous.

I am an old man with a lot done…

With more to do to lengthen the run,

I enjoyed the bitter cold and the warm sun.

After fifty years of work, there’s a lot to tell…

I took and gave direction well;

To be one with all answers the bell.

Celebrating Judge’s Legacy…

I contribute beyond currency,

preserving a faithful buoyancy.

Go the way opens takes indifference…

Live Life with serene acceptance,

love Love and yield with deference.

Year after year humbly judicious…

day by day respectfully gracious.

_____________________________________________________________________

Self Evaluation Report is required every 5 years for reaccreditation

XII The Hanged Man

(based on Meditations on the Tarot by Anonymous)

The world turned upside down

coerces perspective,

requiring sacrifice

with serene acceptance.

Isaac spoke to his father Abraham.

“Father,” he said. “Here I am,

Here are the fire and the wood,

but where is the offering?” [1]

Now, the domain of freedom

is found between two spheres

with two different centers…  

“Heaven” and “world”.

“Here I am” declares free will

“Where is the offering”

suggests an existential

crisis and a leap of faith.

Think, meditate, contemplate…  

Will yields to possible

receptive obedience

enjoins revelation.

“The wind blows where it wills,

you hear the sound of it,

but you do not know

whence it comes or whither it goes.” [2]

[1] Genesis 22:7

[2] John 3:8

Woke

Our spiritual honesty

reveals our soul’s integrity.

My prayer discloses,

and expression exposes

my zeal  reflects

and happiness inflects

“The missionary work,

whatever it  may be,

has perfection and grace

from the spiritual exercises.” [1]

Done with exact persistence

and persevered with insistence

Spiritual Exercises are a necessity

and a most valuable equity

listen to God’s voice

to discern the good choice.

in silence and prayer

take the utmost care

He woke up, rebuked the wind,

and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”

The wind ceased

and there was a great calm[2]

Upon awakening,

be still, and humbly wokening

[1] Father Judge Meditations page 326

[2] Mark 4: 39

Safe (Psalm 4)

You alone are my God,

   and make me safe.

But, You do not seem to be listening.

How long, must I endure this emptiness?

   Is everything really just a delusion?

   Why does it feel like You ignore me?

Sometimes I feel neglected and all alone;

   I even begin to wonder why you bother to listen to me.

Please, be merciful and hear my prayer.

I say with conviction, “Here I am.”

I need to rest assured in My Lady’s love,

   I want to be safe and sound with Her.

The jealous around me ask,

   “What good are you?”

I answer them with confidence,

   “God fills my heart with joy

    She provides me with fulfillment.

    I sleep in peace.”

You alone are my God,

   and make me safe.

Again

As I walk the labyrinth,

my turnaround is vital.

Reflection…

I remember that I

both reflect on the truth

and reflect the truth.

Recollection…

I review when I

recall what was

to recall what is.

Responsibility…

I recognize that I

must respond

with a heartfelt response.

Reawaken…

I recuperate when I

with rapid eye movement awake

and thus awake visions.

Renewal…

I realize that I

need to renew

and possibilities renew.

Restoration…

I revive when I

restore my hope

and trust restored.

My metanoia makes

my detachment indifferent.

Consoled-Psalm 101

I sing of your love and mercy;

   You, my Lady, and my God.

I am careful to lead a life worthy of Your love —

   I follow my heart and feel safe in Your house.

I hate faithlessness

   and will not keep the fickle company.

I get angry when I hear slander and gossip,

   I will not condone it;

I won’t deal with the duplicitous

   the dishonest cannot be trusted

The wicked disturb the peace

   I cannot accompany them

The faithful and humble console me,

   I enjoy their presence.

I am happy to walk with them

   they are welcome at my table.

Apostolic Spirit

“The apostolic spirit,

exercises promote it,

prayers receive it,

and practices conserve it.”[1]

Serious study

and meditation

promote it,

but “self” menace it.

Selfishness withers,

self-seeking desiccates,

self-satisfaction parches,

self-interest shrinks.

Sincere charity

and heartfelt zeal

render us indifferent

and detached.

“The world is a fiery

and seething furnace

and blessed are those souls

that are tempered by it”[2]

[1] Father Judge Meditations p. 158

[2] Ibid p. 158