GOODNESS!

In the midst of Brexit, Trump, ISIS/Daech, and so forth, I found this snippet from St Matthias's Church website in Orange, N.J., entirely refreshing. One never tires of the Psalms.

"I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

What a wonderful mantra the psalmist offers. Try repeating this belief statement as you go through a typical day. We most often see what we expect to see. Do you expect to see the Lord's goodness as you go through the day?  It takes many forms: a surprise phone call, a random act of kindness, some unexpected good news, or the daisy growing through the concrete. We are invited to one step further, however. After we see the Lord's goodness, we are challenged to enjoy it. That means slowing down to take notice. In this way, we are changed by what we see. Give yourself the gift of being transformed by the goodness of the Lord.

Source:  Loyola Press, May 4, 2016

HORROR -- MERCY

I was going to juxtapose an image of Daech (ISIS/ISIL) beheading, but could not bring myself to. Imagine it, in relation to Grünewald's Crucifixion, and to this post.

Father, they slaughter and behead --

We wail barbarity and sin --

Outraged and chilled, we count the dead --

What do you see, who look within?

You whom no man had ever seen --

You sent your Son, that we might know --

He touched our souls and they were green --

What do you see, who look below?

We took him and we whipped him well --

We nailed him up -- such was his bond --

Dying for us, with us to dwell --

What do you see, who look beyond?

And yet he rose and walks the earth --

To weary pilgrims still a guide --

Giving his treasure to our dearth --

What do you see, who look beside?

In every body washed ashore --

In every soul that lives in hell --

We meet your Son for ever more --

What do you see, who know us well?

Their cruelty may ravage on --

The depth of Heaven knows your tears --

But we must pass your mercy on --

For Him who sees, and loves, and hears.

RK

Image: Matthias Grünewald, outside of the Isenheim Altarpiece (ca. 1515)