Poets & Saints

ScriptureJohn 12:47 (NIV)"If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world."RefrainGod is not violent. God is love.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"It is not God who is violent. We are. It is not that God demands suffering of humans. We do. God does not need or want suffering — neither in Jesus nor in us."

ScriptureJohn 10:10 (NIV)"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."RefrainI am fully alive in the presence of God.QuoteIrenaeus of Lyon, from Against Heresies (4.20.7)"For the glory of God is a living human being; and the life of the human consists in beholding God."

ScriptureHosea 6:6 / Matthew 9:13 (NIV)"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.""But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."RefrainGod wants mercy, not sacrifice.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"Jesus did not come to change God's mind about us. It did not need changing. Jesus came to change our minds about God — and about ourselves — and about where goodness and evil really lie."

ScriptureMatthew 11:28–30 (NIV)"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."RefrainI come as I am and find grace here.QuoteGeorge MacDonald, from Unspoken Sermons"The Son of God suffered unto death, not that men might not suffer, but that their suffering might be like His."

ScriptureEphesians 1:9–10 (NIV)He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.RefrainI was loved before anything went wrong.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"Jesus never punished anybody. Yes, he challenged people, but always for the sake of insight, healing, and restoration of people and situations to their divine origin and source."

ScriptureActs 1:14 (NIV)They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.RefrainI receive what God offers and hand it on.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"If Christ and Jesus are the archetypes of what God is doing, Mary is the archetype of how to receive what God is doing and hand it on to others.Mary is the Great Yes that humanity forever needs for Christ to be born into the world."

ScriptureRevelation 3:20 (NIV) "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."RefrainGod waits for my yes.QuoteDenise Levertov, from Annunciation"The engendering Spirit did not enter her without consent. God waited.She was free to accept or to refuse, choice is integral to humanness.She did not cry, 'I cannot. I am not worthy,' Nor, 'I have not the strength.' She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging, coerced. Bravest of all humans, consent illuminated her. The room filled with its light, the lily glowed in it, and the iridescent wings. Consent, courage unparalleled, opened her utterly."

ScriptureJohn 19:25 (NIV)Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.RefrainI find power in presence and in stillness.QuoteEdwina Gateley, from Soul Sisters"Be silent. Be still. Alone. Empty before your God. Say nothing. Ask nothing. Be silent. Be still. Let your God look upon you. That is all. God knows. God understands. God loves you with an enormous love, and only wants to look upon you with that love. Quiet. Be still. Be silent. Let your God love you."

ScriptureLuke 1:38 (NRSVUE)Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.RefrainI open myself to what God wants to bring to birth in me.QuoteMeister Eckhart"We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly, but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture? This, then, is the fullness of time: When the Son of Man is begotten in us."