Pause

Yes, humanity is the culprit…Humanity has a violence problem. 

That's hard to hear. And yet, as we look around at the the world, its systems and institutions, it is hard to deny that we are captive to systemic violence. Especially now.

And it all seems so hopeless.

Maybe we need to push “pause” for a moment and just receive the gift of silence. And in the silence a reminder that we are not alone. Never alone. Universal Love, whatever its source--I'll suggest Christ, is with you and me in the silence, in the hopelessness, in the violence. 

Receive the gift of silence and just be in the presence of Universal Love. 

Breathe in Love.

Breathe out the hopelessness and fear.

Breathe in Love

Breathe

Be

Now receive this poem as a form of blessing for your day:

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice! [1]

Throughout your day, let these final words be at the center of your contemplation: 

“to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!”

________________________________________

[1] “First Coming” by Madeleine L’Engle.  The Ordering of Love: The New & Collected Poems of Madeleine L'Engle. Copyright © 2005 by Crosswicks, Ltd. p. 242.

Photo of Head of Christ, (Oil on panel) by the Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn around 1648–1656.