Poets & Saints

ScriptureJohn 20:1–2 (NIV)Early on the first day of the week,while it was still dark,Mary Magdalene went to the tomband saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.So she came running to Simon Peterand the other disciple, the one Jesus loved,and said,"They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,and we don't know where they have put him!"RefrainLove is the path and love is the guide.QuoteDante, from Paradiso, Canto 33trans. Allen Mandelbaum"But already my desire and my willwere being turned like a wheel, all at one speed,by the Love that moves the sun and the other stars."

John 20:17 (NIV)Jesus said,"Do not hold on to me,for I have not yet ascended to the Father.Go instead to my brothers and tell them,'I am ascending to my Father and your Father,to my God and your God.'"RefrainI release what was to receive what is.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"Jesus of Nazareth, an individual man,has become Christ, the Corporate Personality.We used to know him primarily by outer observation,but now we know him primarily by interior exchange.Which is how we all know Christ,and is commonly called 'prayer.'"

ScriptureJohn 20:29 (NIV)Then Jesus told him,"Because you have seen me, you have believed;blessed are those who have not seenand yet have believed."RefrainI know God from the inside out.QuoteThomas Merton, from Thoughts in Solitude"The only true joy on earthis to escape from the prison of our own false self,and enter by love into unionwith the Life who dwells and singswithin the essence of every creatureand in the core of our own souls."

ScriptureJohn 20:15–16 (NIV)He asked her,"Woman, why are you crying?Who is it you are looking for?"Thinking he was the gardener,she said,"Sir, if you have carried him away,tell me where you have put him,and I will get him."Jesus said to her, "Mary."She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,"Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher").RefrainLove speaks my name and I am found.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"Like Mary, we must somehow hear our name pronounced,must hear ourselves being addressed and regarded by Love,before we can recognize this Christ in our midst."

ScriptureLuke 2:10 (NIV)But the angel said to them,"Do not be afraid.I bring you good newsthat will cause great joyfor all the people."RefrainThe Gospel is good news for all the people.QuoteJurgen Moltmann, from Theology of Hope"From first to last,and not merely in the epilogue,Christianity is eschatology, is hope,forward movingand therefore also revolutionising the present."

ScriptureLuke 6:38 (NIV)"Give, and it will be given to you.A good measure,pressed down, shaken togetherand running over,will be poured into your lap.For with the measure you use,it will be measured to you."RefrainI cannot be separated from the pattern of love.QuoteGregory Palamas"God revealed the Christ in Jesusso that humanity could never be separatedfrom the pattern that he portrayed."