2016.12.25 Love Is The Gravity Of The Soul

"Love is the gravity of the soul."

This is wisdom from St. Bonaventure, Italian medieval Franciscan friar who died in 1221. To me it is perfectly attuned theology for a God who is ever-nearer and ever-greater at the same time and always.

If love is the gravity of the soul, then hope is its wings, and faith is its practice.

David Wilcox, 58, is a contemporary American folk singer and song writer captures this spirit. These lyrics are from his song “Show The Way.”

Show The Way

It is love who mixed the mortar


And its love who stacked these stones


And its love that made the stage here


Though it looks like we’re alone.


In this scene set in shadows


Like the night is here to stay


There is evil cast around us


But it’s love that wrote the play. 


In this darkness


Love can show the way.

As the psalmist prays, so we sing:  Shiru  l’Adonai, shir chadash.  Sing to the Lord a new song. It is time to sing many new songs, fresh songs, new words and new connections.

Merry Christmas to everyone. We hallow a tiny babe in a humble manger and call this God. What could more insane? What could more true? What could be more Eternal? What more holy?

May the Love of Christmas bless and keep you now and always.

2012.04.15 Poems to Easter By

Poetry is a natural spirit lifter and provoker. Good medium for eastering.

Here is one from Rumi, not his usual style but refreshing.

I called through your door, “The mystics are gathering in the street.
come out!”
“Leave me alone. I’m sick.”
“I don’t care if you’re dead! Jesus is here, and he wants to resurrect
somebody!”

And from St. Bonaventure (1221-1274), The Journey of the Mind to God

Do not assume that mere
Reading will suffice without fervor,
Speculation without devotion,
Investigation without admiration,
Observation without exaltation,
Industry without piety,
Knowledge without love,
Understanding without humility,
Study without divine grace..

Expect the end of the world.Laugh.Laughter
is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have
considered all the facts. So long as women do
not go cheap for power, please women more
than men.

Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman
satisfied to bear a child? Will this disturb the
sleep of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.Let down in the
shade. Rest your head in her lap. Swear
allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts.

As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn’t go.

Be like a fox
who makes more tracks than necessary, some
in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection.