Poets & Saints

ScriptureJohn 1:47–49 (NIV)When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him,"Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.""How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.Jesus answered,"I saw you while you were still under the fig treebefore Philip called you."Then Nathanael declared,"Rabbi, you are the Son of God;you are the king of Israel."RefrainI was seen before I was found.QuoteRabbi Johanan bar Nappaha of Tiberius"Why were matters of Torah compared to a fig tree?Just as this fig tree,whenever a person searches it for figs to eat,he finds figs in it,as the figs on the tree do not ripen all at once,so too, with matters of Torah.Whenever a person meditates on them,he finds in them new meaning."

Scripture1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NRSVUE)Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances;for this is the will of Godin Christ Jesus for you.RefrainPrayer is keeping company with God.QuoteMother Teresa"Prayer is not asking.Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God,at His disposition,and listening to His voicein the depth of our hearts."

ScriptureIsaiah 30:15 (NRSVUE)For thus said the Lord God,the Holy One of Israel:In returning and rest you shall be saved;in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.PoemBrian Zahnd, Blessed Are the PatientA woman in the kitchen baking breadA farmer in the field sowing seedBoth know they must trust toTiny miracles of fermentation and germinationJesus says—This is how the kingdom of heaven comesQuiet and slow, almost unobservedNothing like tramping armies on the marchOr the inane noise of political campaignsViolence is swift and lies are loudSo the kingdom of heaven is slow and quietBlessed are the patientFor theirs is the way of heavenBlessed are the patientFor they'll be proved wiseBlessed are the patientFor time is on their sideInstead of fighting, striving, connivingThey can wait for the bread to riseThey can wait for the wheat to ripenCauses, crusades, and campaigns cannot waitAnd for this reason they cannot be wise"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"Those in a hurry to change the worldJust make the world more of what it is—Loud and proud and boundTo the powers that beSo Jesus alludes to something otherA woman in her kitchen sipping teaA farmer on the porch with his pipeShe's waiting for the bread to riseHe's waiting for the rains to comeAnd Jesus whispers—This is the way to beBlessed are the patientFor they do it rightBlessed are the patientFor they keep their peaceBlessed are the patientFor they change the world(Without even knowing it)

ScriptureMark 2:15 (NRSVUE)And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house,many tax collectors and sinnerswere also sitting with Jesus and his disciples,for there were many who followed him.RefrainThere is a place at the table, and it is mine.QuoteHenri Nouwen, from Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons"To live in the world without belonging to the worldsummarizes the essence of the spiritual life.The spiritual life keeps us awarethat our true house is not the house of fear,in which the powers of hatred and violence rule,but the house of love, where God resides."

ScriptureHebrews 13:2 (NRSVUE)Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,for by doing thatsome have entertained angels without knowing it.RefrainI welcome everything that comes to me today.QuoteThe Welcoming PrayerMary Mrozowski"Welcome, welcome, welcome.I welcome everything that comes to me todaybecause I know it's for my healing.I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions,persons, situations, and conditions.I let go of my desire for power and control.I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval, and pleasure.I let go of my desire for survival and security.I let go of my desire to change any situation,condition, person, or myself.I open to the love and presence of Godand God's action within. Amen."

ScriptureGenesis 18:1 (NRSVUE)The Lord appeared to Abrahamby the oaks of Mamre,as he sat at the entrance of his tentin the heat of the day.RefrainThe present of our life looks different under trees.QuoteWendell Berry, from A Timbered Choir"I go among trees and sit still.All my stirring becomes quietaround me like circles on water.My tasks lie in their placeswhere I left them, asleep like cattle."

ScriptureLuke 24:30–32 (NIV)When he was at the table with them,he took bread, gave thanks, broke itand began to give it to them.Then their eyes were openedand they recognized him,and he disappeared from their sight.They asked each other,"Were not our hearts burning within uswhile he talked with us on the roadand opened the Scriptures to us?"RefrainMy heart burns as I walk with him.QuoteBrian Zahnd, from Unseen Existences"If we will stay on the journey,press on along the pilgrim path,stay on the road with Jesus,we will come to understandthe mysteries of Christin deeper and truer ways,and like Cleopas and Mary,our hearts will burn within us."

Scripture2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)For we live by faith,not by sight.RefrainI make the path by walking it.QuoteAntonio Machado, trans. Betty Jean Craige"Wayfarer, only your footprintsare the path, and nothing more;wayfarer, there is no path,you make the path as you walk.As you walk you make the path,and as you turn to glance behindyou see the trail that you nevershall return to tread again.Wayfarer, there is no path,only wake trails on the sea."