Limbo Isn't Limbo Anymore

FOR SALE A PROPERTY
DREAMED BY MEN
IN LOVE WITH GOD’S JUSTICE
IMITATING HIM WITH OLD TESTAMENT VIGOR

LIMBO MEANS EDGE OR BORDER
NEITHER HEAVEN NOR HELL
A PLACE WHERE ONE MIGHT FEEL EMPTY
AND NOT KNOW WHY

BUT GOD’S LOVE IS GREATER
THAN OUR ABILITY TO COMPREHEND
AND THE FENCE THAT DIVIDES
HEAVEN AND HELL
HAS BEEN MOVED

AND CHILDREN
WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE
ARE RUNNING
WHERE THEY HAVE ALWAYS RUN
ON GOD’S GOLDEN STREETS

Nursing Home Visit

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD

WHO IS THIS WOMAN
THAT TENDS MY HANDS
AND ASKS ME QUESTIONS
ABOUT HOMES I SHOULD REMEMBER

SOMETIMES THE SNOW WHIRLS
AND BLOTS THE LANDSCAPE OF MY HORIZON

WHO IS THIS WOMAN
THAT PRATTLES ON

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD

THE SNOW TWIRLS
THE SNOW WHIRLS
THE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGED
IN ITS PASSING

WHO IS THIS WOMAN
DOING MY HAIR

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD
AND A MESSAGE THAT MUST BE TOLD

BUT THE SNOW WHIRLS
THE SNOW TWIRLS

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD


FRANK A VOLLMER

Requiescat Mum

IN NEWFOUNDLAND
WHERE MOM WAS BORN
THE CEMETERIES IN THE COUNTRY
ARE SURROUNDED BY FENCES

THE ANIMALS EAT THE GRASS
FLAT
AROUND THE FENCE

BUT THE CEMETERY ITSELF
IS ALLOWED TO GROW WILD

I THINK IT'S A NEWFIE WAY
OF TELLING US

WHAT IS IMPORTANT

WE BURIED THE BODY OF MIRIAM
BUT WE DID NOT BURY MIRIAM

SHE IS MORE ALIVE TODAY
THAN WHEN SHE DWELT IN HER BODY

WE HONOR THAT BODY
WHICH GAVE US BIRTH
NURSED AND CARED FOR US
TAUGHT AND ADMONISHED US
HUGGED US
SCOLDED US
LIFTED US UP
AND SET US FREE

WE HONOR THAT BODY

SHE IS MORE ALIVE TODAY
THAN SHE EVER WAS
ALL THE QUESTIONS OF HER QUESTING MIND
ARE ANSWERED

AND WE WOULD DISHONOR HER MEMORY
AND HER TEACHING
IF WE ALLOWED SORROW
TO OVERWHELM US COMPLETELY

MOM WOULD RATHER WE REMEMBER HER LAUGHING

AS HARD AS IT MAY BE FOR US NOW
MOM WOULD RATHER
WE REMEMBER HER LAUGHING


SO WE SEND MOM'S BODY TO THE ELEMENTS
TO BECOME
EARTH
AIR
FIRE AND WATER

AND WE SHALL LEAVE
SADDENED BY HER PASSING

BUT ON HER BIRTHDAY
BE AWARE
OF A CURTAIN
MOVING IN THE WIND
OR THE SUN
SHINING ON A CLOUDY DAY
AND HEAR A VOICE IN YOUR HEAD
SAYING

I AM AT PEACE
ALL IS WELL
TELL THE WORD

Naming the Hours

MATINS

TODAY WE HAVE THE NAMING OF HOURS
AS OUR DAY BEGINS
WITH THE NURSE WAKING US
TO TAKE OUR TEMPERATURE
AND OUR PULSE
WE HAVE GREETED THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
ALL AROUND I HEAR
SORRY TO WAKE YOU
A LITTLE HIGH THIS MORNING
A LITTLE LOW
TAKE THIS MAGIC PILL
TO MAKE IT RIGHT
AND WE BEGIN THE DAY
BY TRYING TO GO BACK TO SLEEP
BUT NOT BEFORE I THINK OR SAY

LET THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED, BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE. FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN
TO THE PLACE WHERE IT SETS, THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED.

LAUDS

NOW IT BEGINS
THE WAKE UP CALL WITH BREAKFAST
AND THE MAGIC PILLS AGAIN
AND TEMPERATURE
AND PULSE
BRIGHT WITH PROMISE
WE BEGIN OUR DAY

O LORD, OPEN MY LIPS, AND MY MOUTH WILL DECLARE YOUR PRAISE

IN THE MORNING, O LORD, YOU HEAR MY VOICE; IN THE MORNING I LAY MY REQUESTS BEFORE YOU AND WAIT IN EXPECTATION

SATISFY US IN THE MORNING
WITH YOUR UNFAILING LOVE,
THAT WE MAY SING FOR JOY
AND BE GLAD
ALL OUR DAYS

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH
AND MY SHIELD;
MY HEART TRUSTS IN HIM,
AND I AM HELPED.
MY HEART LEAPS FOR JOY
AND I WILL GIVE THANKS TO HIM IN SONG


PRIME

WE ARE ASKED TO BEGIN THE DAY’S WORK
WHETHER RESTING OR HEALING
TESTING OR EATING
SLEEPING OR STARING AT THE WALL
BUT FIRST WE WASH
OR OTHERS WASH US


CLEANSE ME WITH HYSSOP,
AND I WILL BE CLEAN; WASH ME,
AND I WILL BE WHITER
THAN SNOW

TERCE


COFFEE BREAK TIME
NO ONE HAS EVER CALLED IT THAT
A MID MORNING RECOLLECTION
OF WHO WE ARE

THE LORD WILL SUSTAIN HIM
ON HIS SICKBED
AND RESTORE HIM
FROM HIS BED
OF ILLNESS

RESTORE TO ME
THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION
AND GRANT ME
A WILLING SPIRIT
TO SUSTAIN


SEXT


WE GIVE THANKS FOR OUR FOOD
AND ITS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
NO SUGAR ADDED
OR NO SALT
BUT THE PORTION LOOKS INCREDIBLY SMALL


BE ALERT
FOR YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL
PROWLS AROUND
LIKE A ROARING LION
LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
TO DEVOUR

HE GIVES FOOD
TO EVERY CREATURE
HIS LOVE ENDURES
FOREVER


HE RAINED DOWN MANNA
FOR THE PEOPLE TO EAT HE GAVE THEM
THE GRAIN OF HEAVEN MEN ATE THE BREAD OF ANGELS
HE SENT THEM
ALL
THE FOOD
THEY COULD EAT


NONE


TEMPERATURE AND PULSE TIME AGAIN
THE GATHERING OF THE ENDS OF THE DAY
MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR SUPPER
PERHAPS A NAP
A QUIET RESTFUL TIME
A TIME TO SAY



BUT I HAVE STILLED
AND QUIETED MY SOUL
LIKE A WEANED CHILD
WITH ITS MOTHER
LIKE A WEANED CHILD
IS MY SOUL WITHIN ME


YOUR SUN WILL NEVER SET AGAIN
AND YOUR MOON
WILL WANE NO MORE
THE LORD
WILL BE YOUR EVERLASTING LIGHT
AND YOUR DAYS OF SORROW WILL END


VESPERS


WE HAVE WASHED OUR FACE FOR EVENING
WE’VE HAD OUR TEMPERATURE AND PULSE TAKEN
A FINAL ROUND OF PILLS
A CERTAIN SENSE OF SADNESS
AT THE END OF THE DAY
A CERTAIN SENSE OF FRIGHT
AT THE COMING OF THE NIGHT
A CERTAIN SENSE
OF BEING HELD IN GOD’S HAND

O LORD
I CALL UPON YOU;
HASTEN TO ME GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE
WHEN I CALL TO YOULET MY PRAYER RISE UP
LIKE INCENSE BEFORE YOU, THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS
AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE!SET A GUARD, O LORD
OVER MY MOUTH KEEP WATCH
OVER THE DOOR OF MY LIPS


THE LORD
WILL SUSTAIN HIM
ON HIS SICKBED
AND RESTORE HIM
FROM HIS BED
OF ILLNESS



COMPLINE


IT’S TIME FOR GOING TO BED
THE LORD GRANT US A PEACEFUL
PAIN FREE NIGHT
AND LET US WAKE UP SINGING


I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN
AND SLEEP
FOR YOU ALONE
O LORD
MAKE ME DWELL
IN SAFETY


KEEP US O LORD
AS THE APPLE OF THINE EYE
PROTECT US
UNDER THE SHADOW
OF YOUR WINGS
THE LORD BE WITH US
AND ALL OUR ABSENT
BROTHERS AND SISTERS

AMEN SO BE IT AMEN


FRANK A VOLLMER

A Day Like This

A Liturgical Playlet

REFRAIN: WHEN WERE YOU HUNGRY OR NAKED OR POOR?
WHEN DID YOU ASK FOR WATER?

I WAS AT DACHAU AND AUSCHWITZ
I AM AT HANOI AND SAIGON
I AM BURIED IN EGYPT AND ISRAEL
I AM SICK OF WAR
.

I STAND WITH HUNGRY EYES
AND WATCH SURPLUS FOOD GO UP IN FLAMES
I AM A MIGRANT WORKER'S CHILD
STARVING IN THE LAND OF PLENTY



I AM THE BASTARD CHILD OF A BASTARD CHILD
I AM GHETTO BRED WITH TORCH AND STONE
NO ONE LISTENS UNLESS I AM VIOLENT
NO ONE CARES UNTIL THEY FEEL MY HATE


I AM AN OLD PERSON IGNORED AND ALONE
I AN A YOUNG MAN IN THE GUTTER ON DRUGS
I AM THE CHILD TAUGHT HATE BY MY ELDERS
I AM LOST AND DO NOT KNOW THE WAY


IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS

THAT I WAS HUNGRY
A DAY LIKE THIS THAT I WAS POOR
A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN I TRIED TO HELP
A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN MY CHURCH BEGAN



IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN IT ALL BEGAN
A DAY LIKE THIS
WHEN HE NAMED PETER... ROCK
WHEN HE GAVE IT BIRTH
KNOWING THE BIRTH PAINS WOULD NOT CEASE TILL IT WAS DEAD
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN IN AGE AND WISDOM
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN IN DREAMS AND HOPES
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN RECEIVING TRUTH
TWELVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF TELLING IT BACK
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN


IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS
THAT SATAN TIPTOED UP
"DUMMY
ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT AGAIN

ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES
YOUR FATHER DID
ARE YOU GOING TO FOUND A CHURCH?"
AS USUAL SATAN HAD SHOWN GOOD SENSE
HE'D TOLD THE TRUTH
FOR EVEN CHRIST WAS FINDING FAULT

WITH WHAT HE SAW

I DO NOT WANT SACRIFICES BUT KINDNESS

MATTHEW 12


THESE PEOPLE HONOR ME WITH THEIR WORDS
BUT THEIR HEART IS REALLY FAR FROM ME
IT IS NO USE FOR THEM TO WORSHIP ME
BECAUSE THEY TEACH MAN MADE COMMANDMENTS
AS THOUGH
THEY WERE GOD'S RULES

MATTHEW 15


THEY FIX UP HEAVY LOADS
AND TIE THEM ON MEN'S BACKS
YET THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO LIFT A FINGER
TO HELP CARRY THESE LOADS

MATTHEW 23


YOU ARE LIKE WHITEWASHED TOMBS
FINE ON THE OUTSIDE
BUT FULL OF DEAD MEN'S BONES

MATTHEW 23


I HAVE NOT COME TO DO AWAY WITH THE LAW
BUT TO GIVE IT REAL MEANING

MATTHEW 5

THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED
TURNED OUT TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT STONE

MATTHEW 21


MY WEDDING FEAST IS READY
BUT THE PEOPLE I INVITED DID NOT DESERVE IT
GO OUT INTO THE STREETS
AND INVITE WHOM YOU FIND

MATTHEW 23


SO HERE WE ARE
WALL FLOWERS OF THE LORD
THE LATE COMERS
THE PEOPLE HE INVITED
WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD COME
WHAT WERE SOME OF HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT HIS CHURCH
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE RULES


YOU HAVE HEARD IT WAS SAID
LOVE YOUR FRIENDS HATE YOUR ENEMIES
BUT I TELL YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU

MATTHEW 5

WHEN YOU PRAY SAY
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
MAY YOUR NAME BE KEPT HOLY
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME
MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
GIVE US TODAY THE FOOD WE NEED
FOR GIVE US THE WRONGS THAT WE HAVE DONE
AS WE FORGIVE THE WRONGS THAT OTHERS HAVE DONE US
DO NOT BRING US TO HARD TESTING
BUT KEEP US SAFE FROM THE EVIL ONE

MATTHEW 6


IF ONE OF YOU WANTS TO BE GREAT
HE MUST BE A SERVANT OF THE REST
LIKE THE SON OF MAN
WHO DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED
BUT TO SERVE
AND GIVE HIS LIFE TO REDEEM MANY PEOPLE

MATTHEW 20

DID HE NOT KNOW WHEN HE LOOKED PETER IN THE EYE
THAT HE WAS A MAN
COULD HE NOT HEAR THE DISTANT ECHO OF COCK CROW
WAS HE NOT AWARE OF THE IMPETUOUSNESS
THAT MADE HIM WALK ON WATER
OR THE SELF DOUBTS THAT LET HIM SINK
DID HE NOT SEE
WEATHERED FACE AND WEATHERED SOUL
NO STRANGER TO OUR JOYS OR SORROW
NO SCHOLAR HE
POET MAYBE
ONE IN TUNE WITH SEA AND TIDES AND WEATHER
THE CYCLE OF SEASONS THE RUNNING OF FISH
THE PATIENCE OF THE FISHERMAN

I WONDER IF THAT'S WHY HE PICKED HIM
IF HE SAW IN HIM THE SAME WORKMAN'S PRIDE
THAT JOSEPH HAD
IF HE SAW IN PETER'S WORDS AND ACTIONS
MEMORIES OF JOSEPH
IF HE DID NOT INSTINCTIVELY TRUST HIM
A MAN MINDFUL OF HIS NETS AND BOATS
MINDFUL OF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY
WHO WOULD BE CAREFUL OF LITTLE THINGS
THE NECESSARY UNPRETENTIOUS DOING THINGS
NOT PLAYING FOR THE BALCONY
JUST DOING HIS JOB
THIS MAN HE CHOOSE



I GIVE TO YOU THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

MATTHEW 16


PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME
FEED MY LAMBS
PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME
FEED MY SHEEP
PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME

FOLLOW ME
JOHN 21


AND YOU PETER
WOULD YOU LEAVE ME
TO WHOM WOULD I GO LORD
YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

JOHN 6

PUSH OUT THE BOATS
AND LET DOWN YOUR NETS
BUT MASTER WE HAVE LABORED ALL NIGHT
AND CAUGHT NOTHING
BUT WE WILL TRY AGAIN

LUKE 5


I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN
I WILL MAKE YOU HARVESTERS IN THE FIELD
YOU WILL TEND THE VINE AND THE FIG TREE
THE MUSTARD SEED THE COCKLE THE WHEAT
SHALL BE YOUR CONCERN
I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

HE'D PICKED A FISHERMAN TO WORK IN HIS GARDEN
TO TEND THE SEED HE'D PLANT IN THE SPRING
STRUCK DOWN IN THE SPRINGTIME
THRUST DOWN IN THE EARTH
PLOWED UNDER BY EVIL

HE'D PICKED A FISHERMAN TO TEND TO HIS GARDEN
TO WATCH OVER THE GROWTH OF THE SEED
FROM THE SEED TO THE PLANT
FROM PLANT TO THE FLOWER
TO THE SEED TO THE PLANT TO THE FLOWER
ALWAYS RENEWING
THROUGH CYCLE OF SEASONS
ALWAYS THE SEED DOWN THE AGES
ALWAYS THE SEED TELLING THE MESSAGE
GOD IS HE LOVES HE CARES

DOWN THE AGES ALWAYS THE MESSAGE
ALWAYS THE SEED THE PLANT OR THE FLOWER
ALWAYS THE SEED
TENDED BY GARDENERS POETS FOOLS OR BY THIEVES
ALWAYS THE SEED

IF YOU LOVE ME - KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS
I WILL SEND YOU THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
TO STAY WITH YOU FOREVER
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN IT ALL BEGAN

A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN WE TRIED AGAIN

Stage directions;

Poetry read by narrator.

Bible verses by various members of the congregation.

Opening verses like a Sunday psalm.

War Memorial

FOUR COLUMNS OF GRANITE
AND A ROOF
WEATHERED BRONZE STAINING THE STONE
A PLACE WHERE WINDS GATHER TO SIGH
AND LEAVES TO DIE
HOW NOBLE THE WORDS UPON THE PLAQUE
WE WILL NOT FORGET
NOR SHALL YOUR DEATH BE IN VAIN
HOW MANY WARS AGO
HOW MANY MONUMENTS SINCE
ONE WOULD WISH THAT THE NOBLE THOUGHTS
COULD BE ENGRAVED UPON THE HEART INSTEAD OF STONE
BUT PERHAPS THE HEART IS HARDER
AND WOULD WEAR THE CHISEL OUT
MAYBE IT'S THE DARK LINES IN THE SKY OF A FADING DAY
THAT MAKES ME FEEL THIS WAY
WRINKLES ON THE BROW OF AN AGING SKY
STANDING BESIDE A MONUMENT WITH NOBLE WORDS
KNOWING WE HAVE AND WILL FORGET


FRANK A VOLLMER

Dives

LET US SING A DIRGE ABOUT DIVES
WHO SUPPED AT A BANQUET TABLE
WHILE UNDERNEATH SAT LAZARUS
WAITING FOR CRUMBS
FROM BREAD
DIVES USED
TO CLEAN HIS GREASY HANDS

FOOD FOR THE DOGS
WHO LICKED HIS SORES

HE FELT GRATEFUL FOR THE CRUMBS

DIVES DIVES
WHY ARE YOU THERE
IN HELL
WHAT DID YOU DO WRONG

NOTHING

THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE

BECAUSE LAZARUS WAS INVISIBLE TO ME

I NEVER BEAT HIM
OR CHASED HIM FROM MY TABLE

HE WAS INVISIBLE TO ME


FRANK A VOLLMER

Hands

I'M RUNNING OUT OF HANDS

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT
THAT IF I LOST MY LEFT HAND
MY RIGHT HAND WOULD BE LEFT

THERE’S A JOKE THERE
BUT I CAN'T PUT MY FINGER ON IT

I HATE TO PALM A BAD JOKE OFF ON YOU
I'D LIKE TO WRIST HUMOR
OUT OF THIS SITUATION
THUMB-THING FUNNY

IF THE WHOLE WORLD’S IN HIS HANDS
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO CLAP WITH

THE STROKE TOOK MY RIGHT HAND
THEN MY LEFT HAND
WHICH WAS NOW MY RIGHT HAND
DEVELOPED TENDINITIS
FROM TOO MUCH WORK

SO NOW I WEAR A BRACE
WHAT A DISGRACE
SOON I'LL BE EATING LIKE A CAT
IMAGINE THAT

I'M ALREADY CUTE AND CUDDLY

FRANK A VOLLMER

Loves and Fishes

WHAT IS SO LITTLE
JUDGED AGAINST SO MANY
SIX MONTH'S WAGES
AND A DAY'S WALK
WOULD ONLY GIVE EACH A LITTLE
SEND THEM AWAY

LAUGHING AT HIS INNOCENCE
ANDREW SAID
THERE IS A BOY HERE
WITH FIVE LOAVES
TWO FISHES TOO
WHAT SHALL WE DO

MAKE THE PEOPLE SIT DOWN
AND TAKING LITTLE
HE MADE MUCH
HE MADE MUCH TO OVERFLOWING

YOU FEED THEM ALL WITH A GENEROUS HAND
THE PSALMIST SINGS
SO SHALL THE LACK
THE LITTLE THAT IS ME
BE MADE TO FILL
THE THINGS ORDAINED
BY YOU
FOR ME TO DO

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sodom

Ezekiel 16:49
Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness,

while the poor and needy suffered outside her door


SODOM

SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD TO SODOM
THERE’S A SIGN
TELLING THE WHY OF SODOM’S RUIN

Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness,

while the poor and needy suffered outside her door

ARE WE NOT IN THE SAME POSITION
WHILE CHILDREN STARVE
WE ARGUE ABOUT SEXUAL PROCLIVITY

WHILE INDUSTRY
DEFRAUDS WORKERS
OF PAY AND PENSION
WE PIOUSLY PRATE
THAT MAN IS CREATED
IN GOD’S IMAGE

PREACHING CHRISTIANITY
WE VOTE FOR WAR
AND GLOAT AT VICTORY

SHOULD WE NOT KEEP AN EYE TO THE SKY
LEST ANOTHER RUIN AWAIT US

FRANK A VOLLMER

Crucifixion

HE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE
THE TRUTH BE TOLD
HE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE

BUT THERE HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
AGAINST THE NOON DAY SKY

LIKE CARRION THEY CAME
TO SIT UPON THE LAWN AND WATCH
HOW SUCH A MAN WOULD DIE

NO MAN WHO HAS EVER CALLED ANOTHER…FRIEND
OR HELD A LOVER'S HAND
OR FELT THE PULL OF FALLING STAR
OR HEARD A ROBIN SING
NO MAN WHO HAS EVER BEEN IN LOVE
OR BOUNCED A BABY ON HIS KNEE
REALLY WANTS TO DIE

BUT THERE HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
AGAINST A DARKENING SKY

HIS NEED FOR LOVE SO GREAT HE CRIED
I THIRST
THEY WONDERED WHY

AS HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
AGAINST A NIGHT BLACK SKY

THE CARRION JUST STOOD AROUND
WAITING FOR HIM TO DIE
HE FELT THE COLDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS
AND CRIED TO HIS FATHER … WHY
ALL HIS PENT UP PASSION SURGING
HE CRIED TO HIS FATHER …WHY

AS HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
FOR LOVE OF YOU AND I

Frank A Vollmer

The Widows

THEY WERE CONTENT
IN A SAD SORT OF A WAY

THEY’D GUIDED THEIR HUSBANDS
SAFELY THROUGH THE SHOALS OF DEATH
AND BEYOND

THEY REMEMBERED THE SILLY LITTLE THINGS
LIKE
FIGHTING FOR BLANKETS
SNORING
SOCKS ON THE FLOOR

THEY WISHED THEY COULD COMPLAIN AGAIN

THE BED IS TOO LARGE

HE’S KEEP ALIVE IN THE MEMORIES OF CHILDREN
THEIR POP-POP OR POPPY
GRAMPY OR GRUMPY
THEIR BEST BUD

MOST DAYS LIFE GOES ON
BUT SOMETIMES
THEY’D LIKE TO SHARE A JOKE
AND THERE IS NO ONE TO HEAR


FRANK A VOLLMER

When Jesus Said

WHEN JESUS SAID
YOU HAVE THE POOR
ALWAYS WITH YOU
HE DIDN'T MEAN IT AS AN EXCUSE
TO DO NOTHING

BUT RATHER A REASON
FOR HIS DEATH

RATHER TO DESCRIBE
A THORN
IN THE BODY MYSTIC

THE POOR YOU HAVE ALWAYS WITH YOU
A SAD COMMENT ON HIS DEATH
THIS IS NOT THE WORLD GOD WANTS

YOUR KINGDOM COME
YOUR WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

ARE WE DOING GOD’S WILL

ARE WE SAYING
GOD’S WILL IS IMPOSSIBLE
ARE WE SAYING
GOD HAS GIVEN US
AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK
AN IMPOSSIBLE PRAYER

THE LAST WORDS CHRIST HEARD
HANGING ON THE CROSS
WERE DREAMER
OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY

WERE THEY TRUE

The "C" Word

WHEN PILATE
FIRST SAID THE C WORD
TO YOU JESUS

DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART

IN OUR MUTUAL PASSIONS
I FIND MUCH THAT IS SIMILAR

STRUGGLING UP YOUR HILL
YOU FELL OFTEN

STRUGGLING UP MY HILL
I FIND MANY WEAK TIMES

YOU HAD SIMON
I HAVE THE DOCTOR

YOU HAD THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
I HAVE THE NURSES
WHO HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR WAILING RAGS
AND BECOME TRUE PROFESSIONALS

A TRIBUTE TO YOU
WHO RAISED THE STATUS OF WOMEN
BY BEING BORN

AND THEREBY SAYING
THAT ALL CREATION IS BEAUTIFUL
AND THEREFORE EQUAL

AND ON THE HILLTOP
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF…
THERE I'VE SAID THE WORD
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF MY SIN
YOU SET ME FREE
TO LIVE A HOLY AND A WHOLLY LIFE

AND ON MY HILLTOP
LET ME SAY WITH YOU
FATHER IT IS FINISHED
CURED OR AT LEAST IN REMISSION

AND WE SHALL WALK
OUR EASTER MORNINGS
SIDE BY SIDE

FRIENDS AS ALWAYS
WE HAVE WALKED
THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL
AND FOUND SUN SHINE


BUT FIRST
WHEN PILATE SAID THE C WORD TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
BECAUSE SO DID I


FRANK A VOLLMER

Black Pheasant

WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN WE FOUND IT
THE CARBONIZED REMAINS OF THE PHEASANT
THE FIRE HAD BEEN INTENSE
BUT SHORT LIVED
CREATED BY THE STORM
EXTINGUISHED BY THE STORM
BUT THE INTERIM HAD BEEN EXTREME
FED BY THE DEBRIS OF THE DROUGHT

SO REAL
IT LOOK LIFELIKE
EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR
IT LOOKED ASLEEP

BUT WHEN WE KNELT TO TOUCH IT
IT FELL APART
AND FOUR CHICKS
RAN OUT FROM UNDER

PERHAPS
BECAUSE
WE HAD SEEN ENOUGH OF DEATH THAT DAY
WE WERE MOVED TO TEARS

SHE COULD HAVE FLOWN
SHE COULD HAVE SAVED HERSELF
SHE STAYED
GATHERED HER BROOD
UNDER HER WINGS
AND BROUGHT THEM THROUGH THE FIRE

WE GATHERED THE CHICKS
THEY WOULD SURVIVE

REST WELL MOTHER

YOU HAVE TAUGHT US
WELL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Doves

DOVES

THE SHIPS IN BIBLE DAYS
ALWAYS SAILED ALONG THE SHORE
IN SIGHT OF LAND

THEY WERE AFRAID
TO GO OUT INTO THE DEEP

THEIR FEAR
WAS TO BE BLOWN OFF COURSE
DRIVEN OUT TO SEA
AND SEE NO LAND

BUT AS MEN WHO KNEW THE SEA
THEY CARRIED DOVES

THEY'D RELEASE THEM

AND IF THEY FOUND NO LAND
THEY'D RETURNED TO THEIR MATE

IF THEY FOUND LAND
THEY'D RETURN WITH GREENERY
IN THEIR CROP
AS A TREAT FOR THEIR MATE

AND THE SAILORS WOULD KNOW
FROM THE FLIGHT OF THE DOVE
WHERE LAND
AND SAFETY WERE
AND THE GREEN GROWTH OF HOPE

FITTING THAT THE SPIRIT
SHOULD BE SHOWN AS A DOVE
SHOWING US THEY WAY
WHEN WE'RE LOST A SEA

FRANK A VOLLMER

Second Lent

TODAY AS YOU KNOW
IS THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
IN TODAY'S GOSPEL
WE HEAR THE PHARISEES
TELL JESUS
THAT HEROD THE RULER
WANTED TO KILL HIM

THEY DID THIS FOR TWO REASONS
FIRST JESUS WAS PREACHING IN GALILEE
WHERE HEROD WAS RULER
AND HE WAS ATTRACTING CROWDS
WITH HIS TEACHINGS

AND HIS TEACHINGS
WERE THREATENING
THE PRIVILEGED POSITION
OF THE PHARISEES

SO THEY WOULD LIKE HIM
TO GO ELSEWHERE
TO GO ANYWHERE AND PREACH
BUT LEAVE THEM ALONE

SECOND THEY HOPED
THAT JESUS WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM
AND GET CAUGHT UP
IN THE POLITICAL INTRIGUE
THAT WAS RAMPANT IN THE CITY
AND AS A RESULT
THE ROMANS WOULD KILL HIM

THE HEROD
THE PHARISEES WERE TALKING ABOUT
WAS THE SAME HEROD
THAT HAD PUT
JOHN THE BAPTIST TO DEATH

SO THE THREAT OF DEATH WAS VERY REAL



BUT JESUS ANSWERS
TELL THAT FOX
THAT I WILL CAST OUT DEMONS
AND WILL HEAL PEOPLE
TODAY
TOMORROW
AND ON THE THIRD DAY

WHICH IS THE HEBREW WAY
OF SAYING
I WILL STAY HERE
UNTIL I ACCOMPLISH MY PURPOSE

IT IS ALMOST AN ECHO
OF LUTHER
SAYING HERE I STAND
I CANNOT BE ELSEWHERE

WHAT JESUS
IS SAYING TO HEROD
AND TO ALL THE HERODS
OF THE WORLD
HERE I STAND
TO BRING SALVATION
YOU CANNOT CHASE ME AWAY
HERE I STAND
LIKE A SIGN
POINTING THE WAY

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT SIGNS

A WOMAN DRIVES HER CAR
ALONG THE HIGHWAY
SHE SEES THE MANY SIGNS
THAT EDGE OUR ROADS
SCHOOL AHEAD
GO SLOW
THE NEXT CITY - WEST OSSIPEE
THE MILEAGE 12 MILES
LITTLE CAESAR'S PIZZA-PIZZA

SHE SEES WASH
HANGING ON THE LINE
SHE SEES OTHER CARS IN FRONT
OR IN THE CAR MIRROR
OCCASIONALLY
WHEN THE LIGHT IS RIGHT
SHE SEES
HER OWN FACE
REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD

SHE IS DRIVING BY A CLIFF
SET BACK FROM THE ROAD
IT IS A STEEP CLIFF
SO STEEP
THAT WHEN SHE SEES THE SIGN
SHE WONDERS
HOW ANYONE COULD CLIMB
THE CLIFF'S FACE
AND PUT IT THERE

THE SIGN SAYS
JESUS SAVES
WRITTEN IN LARGE CLUMSY LETTERS
WITH WHITE PAINT
THAT TRICKLES DOWN
FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LETTERS
AS IF THE LETTERS
WERE FALLING APART
OR MELTING
OR MAYBE CRYING

THE SIGN SAYS
JESUS SAVES
THAT'S ALL
ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER SIGNS
OF THE HIGHWAY
LIKE
RIGHT TURN ONLY
TOLL BOOTH AHEAD
THE SPEED LIMIT
AND DESTINATIONS

ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER SIGNS
WAS THIS SIGN
JESUS SAVES

AND THE WOMAN
LIKE MOST OF US
FELT AWKWARD WITH THE SIGN
FELT AN INTERNAL SQUIRM
AT THE MESSAGE
EVEN THOUGH
LIKE MOST OF US
SHE KNEW IT TO BE TRUE


SHE FELT UNCOMFORTABLE
WITH THE SIGN
AND ITS' PUBLIC MESSAGE

LIKE SAYING GRACE IN PUBLIC

GOD ONLY KNOWS
WHAT KIND OF PERSON
MUST HAVE CLIMBED UP THERE
WITH A BUCKET
AND A BRUSH
TO SPLASH THE MESSAGE ON THE CLIFF:
MAYBE MAN
MAYBE WOMAN
MAYBE YOUNG OR OLD
DRUNK OR SOBER
IN DAYLIGHT
OR IN THE DARK

GOD ONLY KNOWS
WHAT DROVE THE PAINTER
TO PAINT THIS SIGN;
SIN OR REDEMPTION
JOY OR REMORSE
POSSIBLY A DARE
POSSIBLY A PRAYER


WHAT EVER THE REASON
IN OUR STRANGE TIMES
AMONG PEOPLE LIKE US
AMONG PEOPLE JUST LIKE US
AMONG US
THE EFFECT
OF THE MESSAGE ON THE HILLSIDE
THAT JESUS SAVES
MAKES US SQUIRM

AND I THINK
WE SQUIRM
BECAUSE WE ARE EMBARRASSED
AND WE ARE EMBARRASSED
FOR MANY REASONS

EMBARRASSED
PERHAPS
BECAUSE THE WORDS
REMIND US OF OLD TIME RELIGION
OF SHOUT AND HOLLER
OF PULPIT POUNDING
OF GOD'S GONNA GET YOU


WE SQUIRM
BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING
IN THE NAME
JESUS ITSELF
THAT EMBARRASSES US
WHEN IT STANDS
NAKED
AND ALONE

JUST JESUS
BY ITSELF
WITHOUT A TITLE
LIKE A FRIEND'S NAME
IT MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE

WE WOULD ACCEPT
CHRIST SAVES
THAT'S HIS JOB
BUT JESUS SAVES
AS IN JESUS SAVES FRANK
OR BARBARA OR ALICE
OR JOE OR FRED OR WADE
OR WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS

IS LIKE A LOVER
CARVING HIS
AND HIS LOVED ONE'S NAME
ON A TREE

IT HAS AN AIR ABOUT IT
LIKE A LOVE SONG

MAYBE JESUS SAVES
WRITTEN ON THE CLIFF
IS EMBARRASSING
BECAUSE RELIGION
IN SOME WAYS
HAS BECOME EMBARRASSING

MAYBE OUR WINCING
IS A WAY
TO HIDE OUR EYES
TO STOP UP OUR EARS








BECAUSE WE SOMEHOW KNOW
THAT IF THE MESSAGE GOT THROUGH
IT WOULD SAY DIRECTLY
CLEARLY
UNMISTAKABLY
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE

THAT WE
YOU AND I
NEED TO BE SAVED

RICH MAN POOR MAN
YOUNG WOMAN OLD WOMAN
EDUCATED
UNLETTERED
RELIGIOUS UNRELIGIOUS



ALL OF US
YOU AND I
ALL OF US
NEED TO BE SAVED

AND THAT
IS OFFENSIVE TO US
FOR WHAT IT SAYS
IS

YOU HAVE NO PEACE
WITHIN YOUR SKIN-
YOU ARE NOT HAPPY
YOU ARE NOT WHOLE

OUR HUMANITY
REACTS AGAINST THE THOUGHT

OUR SELF SUFFICIENT HUMANITY
WHICH CONTINUALLY
WANTS THE APPLE
MORE THAN IT WANTS THE GARDEN
REACTS
AGAINST THE THOUGHT

WHAT FOOL
WOULD CLIMB THAT CLIFF
TO WRITE A MESSAGE
THAT OFFENDS ME


WHAT FOOL DARES
TO GIVE ME SUCH ADVICE

WHAT FOOL DARES
TO QUESTION
MY SELF-SUFFICIENC

IF YOU HAD SAID
GOD SAVES
I COULD ARGUE WITH GOD
BUT YOU SAID
JESUS
AS IF TO SAY
FRIEND

AND I SEE THAT FRIEND
FOR WHAT THE WORLD
HAS MADE HIM
A FOOL
DESPISED AND REJECTED

A LAUGHING STOCK AMONG THE NATIONS
WITH HIS RIDICULOUS SLOGAN

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

AND I AM
EMBARRASSED BY HIM
AND THE SIGN ON THE CLIFF

THE BAD THIEF
THE ONE ON THE LEFT
SAID IN A TAUNT
IF YOU ARE THE CHRIST
SAVE YOURSELF
AND SAVE US

HOW LIKE HIM WE ARE
WHEN OUR LIFE'S ACTIONS
HANG US ON THE LEFT CROSS




WE CRY

SAVE YOURSELF
AND SAVE US

OH WE ARE NOT SORRY FOR YOUR PAIN
BECAUSE WE DO NOT ALWAYS NEED YOU
ONLY WHEN ALL THE APPLES
WE HAVE EATEN FROM THE TREE
MAKE US SICK
THEN WE NEED YOU

SAVE US SAVE US
ME
MORE THAN YOU
SAVE US

BUT THE GOOD THIEF
THE ONE ON THE RIGHT
REBUKED THE BAD THIEF
FOR HIS ARROGANCE
THEN SPOKE
WITH ALMOST THE SAME ARROGANCE
WHEN HE SAID
JESUS REMEMBER ME
WHEN YOU COME IN TO YOUR KINGDOM

TWO ARROGANT PETITIONS
BUT FROM DIFFERENT HEARTS
ONE SPOKEN IN ANGER
ONE SPOKEN IN TRUST
AND HOPE

AND TO THE TRUSTING
HOPEFUL HEART
HE SAID
TRULY
TODAY
YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE

I WONDER
WHAT THE GUARDS THOUGHT
WHEN THEY HEARD THIS CONVERSATION
DID IT INTERRUPT THEIR DICE GAME

WERE THEY PERHAPS EMBARRASSED
BY THE GOODNESS
OF THE MAN THEY WERE KILLING

OR DID THEY THINK
THAT THE PAIN
OF THEIR TORTURE
HAD ROBBED HIS MIND OF REASON

HOW COULD THAT ONE
SAVE ANYONE
NAILED TO THE TREE
WITH GOOD STOUT NAILS

WITH THE SIGN ABOVE HIS HEAD
WHICH MOCKED HIM AS KING

THEY'D BEEN WITH HIM
WHEN THEY'D WHIPPED
AND CROWNED HIM
AND THEY HAD HEARD
NEITHER CURSE NOR WHIMPER
NO KING HE
A LAMB MAYBE
QUIET IN HIS SLAUGHTER
BUT NO KING-

HOW RIDICULOUS A DEATH
DYING ON A HILLSIDE
LIKE A NAME
PAINTED ON A CLIFF-

HOW RIDICULOUS A DEATH
DYING ON A HILLSIDE
LIKE A NAME
CARVED ON A TREE BY LOVERS
AND IN THIS NAME
THE NAME OF JESUS
WE ARE EMBARRASSED
WHY?

PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE
WE THINK
THAT WE ARE UNLOVABLE

WE DO NOT DOUBT
THAT GOD CAN SAVE US
BUT WE DO DOUBT
THAT SOMEONE COULD LOVE US
SO MUCH
AS TO DIE FOR US



TO DIE FOR US
NOT FOOLISHLY
BUT FULLY KNOWING
OUR UNWORTHINESS
AND STILL WANTING TO SAVE US

I SUSPECT
THAT THE REAL REASON
WHY THE NAME
JESUS
MAY EMBARRASS US
WHEN IT STANDS NAKED BY ITSELF

IS THAT IT PUTS US
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

IT REMINDS US
OF OUR OWN NEED FOR SALVATION
OUR OWN NAKEDNESS
OUR OWN NAMES

FOR JESUS HAS COME
TO SAVE D-GUY
SAVE JJ AND PAULA
SAVE THERESA
SAVE MARY
SAVE KAREN AND PETER
SAVE MARCIA
SAVE ALL OF US-

NOT FOR OUR JOBS
NOT FOR OUR TITLES
NOT FOR OUR TITHING
NOT BECAUSE WE ARE RETIRED
OR WORKING
MARRIED
SINGLE OR DIVORCED
NOT FOR ANY REASON
EXCEPT HE LOVES US
HE MADE US
WE ARE THE WORK OF HIS HANDS
AND GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK



HE LOVES US
END OF SENTENCE
HE LOVES
US



THE MESSAGE ON THE CLIFFSIDE
CALLS US BY NAME
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­CALLS ALL OF US BY NAME
IT SAYS
UNCOVER YOUR EYES
OPEN YOUR EARS


I BRING TRUTH AND HOPE
FOR ALL THE NEEDING-TO-BE FILLED
PLACES IN YOUR LIVES

BE LIKE THE GOOD THIEF
AND KNOW THE PAIN OF SURRENDER

THE PAIN OF KNOWING
THE HELPLESSNESS
OF TRYING TO HELP YOURSELF

CALL ON ME
CALL ON ME
LIKE THE GOOD THIEF
CALL ON ME
SAYING
JESUS REMEMBER ME
WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM
REMEMBER ME
REMEMBER ME
REMEMBER ME
EVEN THOUGH I DON'T ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU'

JESUS SAYS I WILL
AND WHETHER IT SEEMS PREPOSTEROUS
IN OUR JUDGMENT
OR EMBARRASSING
THE SAME GOD
THAT SAVED THIEVES
HANGING JUSTLY ON THE CROSS
ALSO SAVES CLOWNS LIKE YOU
AND ME
NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON
THAN THAT HE LOVES US



SO WHEN
THE PHARISEES SAY TO HIM
LEAVE NOW
BEFORE THEY KILL YOU


HE REPLIES
I WILL STAY FAITHFUL
TO MY TASK
TODAY
TOMORROW
AND THE DAY AFTER
WHICH MEANS
ALWAYS

FURTHER
JESUS SAYS
COME TO MY SHOP
WHERE THERE IS A SIGN
THAT SAYS
JESUS
CARPENTER
MAKER OF EASY YOKES
WE MAKE YOUR BURDEN LIGHT
COME IN
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
LET ME PROVE IT

AND AS WE ENTER

WE CATCH OUR IMAGE
IN THE WINDOW
OF HIS SHOP
AND WE ALSO SEE
THE REFLECTION OF THE CLIFF
WITH THE SIGN
JESUS SAVES
AND WE KNOW THE MESSAGE
IS PERSONAL AND FOR US

AMEN

Let Down Your Hair

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR
MARY
LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

TOO LONG
HAVE MEN SHACKLED YOU
AND HIDDEN YOUR BEAUTY

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MESSAGE
THAT WHAT GOD CREATES
IS GOOD

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

THE TOMB OF LAZARUS WAS OPEN
AND AIRING
THE STONE ROLLED AWAY

THE STENCH OF DEATH
WAS MASKED BY SPICES

BUT THE PARTY
WAS IN THE HOUSE
CELEBRATING LAZARUS RETURN

BUT MARY FELT A SADNESS
A PREMONITION REALLY
SOMETHING
WOMEN CAN DO
SHE SENSED DEATH IN THE AIR

AND MOVED BY SOME ETERNAL
FEMININE FORCE
TOOK NARD
A FUNERAL SPICE

WASHED HIS FEET FIRST
WITH TEARS
DRIED THEM
WITH HER LOOSENED HAIR
AND ANOINTED HIM FOR DEATH

SO MUCH WASTE THE ENRONS CRIED
AND GRASPED THE MONEY BAG


BUT JESUS SAID
PROTECTING MARY
THE POOR
WILL ALWAYS BE HERE
BUT YOU ONLY BURY ME ONCE.

First Lent

LAST WEDNESDAY
I
AND MANY OTHER CHRISTIANS
HAD ASHES
IN THE FORM OF A CROSS
PLACED ON OUR FOREHEAD
AS THE ASHES WERE BEING PLACED
THE MINISTER SAID THESE WORDS
REMEMBER
THAT YOU ARE DUST
AND BACK TO DUST
YOU SHALL RETURN

WE WERE PERFORMING A RITUAL
AS OLD
AS THE OLD TESTAMENT
WHENEVER
THERE WERE MOMENTS
OF GREAT SORROW
OR REPENTANCE FOR SIN
ASHES WERE PLACED
ON THE HEAD OF THE ONE
SEEKING FORGIVENESS

AS CHRISTIANS
WE HAVE STARTED LENT
WITH THIS GESTURE
A GESTURE
THE CHURCH USES
TO HELP US RECALL
WHO WE ARE
AND WHAT PRICE JESUS PAID
TO REDEEM US
WE ARE DUST
BUT PRECIOUS DUST

AS THE POET WROTE
AFTER SEEING THE WIND
SPIN DUST IN A CIRCLE

DOES THE WIND KNOW
THE VALUE OF THE DUST
IT WHIRLS INTO A COLUMN
IS IT TRYING TO MAKE A MAN
IF IT SUCCEEDED
WOULD IT BLOW ITS CREATION AWAY
ON A WHIM
WOULD IT LOVE ITS CREATION
WOULD IT DIE FOR HIM
WOULD IT HOVER OVER HIM
LIKE A MOTHER HEN
FUSSING FORGIVING
TIME AND AGAIN
FOLDING HIM TO HER BOSOM
OR WOULD IT
AS SO MANY GODS BUT ONE
FADE FALTER
AND GO AWAY

THE GOD WHO CALLS US
TO REPENTANCE
AND TO SORROW FOR OUR SINS
WILL NOT FORGET US
HE HAS PAID TOO HIGH A PRICE
FOR US
NOR IS HE INTERESTED
IN OUR CONDEMNATION
BUT IN OUR SALVATION

HE LOVES US SO MUCH
HE BECAME HUMAN.
THAT HE MIGHT EXPERIENCE
ALL THAT IT TAKES
TO BE HUMAN
AND PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
IS FAILURE
OF NOT MEASURING UP TO THE MARK
OF MISSING THE MARK
AS THE ARCHER
MISSES THE MARK
WITH HIS ARROW

THE WORD FOR SIN IN THE BIBLE
MEANS MISSING THE MARK

SO JESUS LIKE US
WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL
WAS TESTED BY THE DEVIL
AND HE PASSED.

HOLD ON TO THIS THOUGHT
JESUS BEAT THE DEVIL
BY USING THE BIBLE
WHEN THE DEVIL SAID
TO THE HUNGRY JESUS
MAKE BREAD OUT OF STONE
JESUS REPLIED
MAN DOES NOT LIVE
BY BREAD ALONE

WHEN THE DEVIL
OFFERED JESUS
UNLIMITED POWER
JESUS SAID
THE ONLY POWER IS GOD.

AND WHEN SATAN
SAID TO JESUS
MAKE MAGIC
JESUS REPLIED
THOSE WHO LOVE GOD
DO NOT NEED MAGIC.
ALL THESE ANSWERS
THAT JESUS GAVE SATAN
ARE FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES

THE LAST LINE
OF OUR GOSPEL READING TODAY
SAYS
THAT WHEN THE DEVIL
HAD FINISHED
ALL HIS TEMPTING
ALL HIS TESTING OF JESUS
HE LEFT HIM
TILL THERE WOULD BE
A MORE OPPORTUNE TIME

AND TO THIS DAY
THE DEVIL GOES AROUND
LIKE A ROARING LION
SEEKING SOMEONE TO DEVOUR

PUTTING CHRIST TO THE TEST
IN THE FORM OF US
FOR WE ARE CHRIST
IN THE WORLD TODAY

TO US
IS GIVEN THE TASK
TO BE CHRIST-LIKE
IN THE WORLD
IN WHICH WE LIVE.

AND THAT'S
THE PURPOSE OF LENT
TO HELP US REMEMBER
WHY WE ARE HERE,
WHY AND HOW
WE WERE SAVED
WHY AND HOW
THE DUST
THAT THE WIND PLAYS WITH
IS SO PRECIOUS
AND TO DENY SATAN
HIS OPPORTUNE TIME
BY DOING
AND GIVING BACK TO GOD
OUR BEST

THIS GIVING OF THE BEST
IS WHAT IS CALLED FOR
IN OUR FIRST READING
FROM DEUTERONOMY
WHERE MOSES SAYS

GIVE GOD THE BEST
THE FRESHEST YIELD
FROM YOUR GARDEN

DO THIS
BECAUSE HE HAS RESCUED YOU
FROM SLAVERY
AND GIVEN YOU A NEW HOME

THAT IS WHY
WE ARE ASKED
AS PART OF LENT
TO GIVE GOD OUR BEST
BECAUSE HE HAS RESCUED US
FROM SLAVERY
AND GIVEN US
A NEW HOME- HEAVEN

WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR
WITH THE LENTEN CONCEPT
OF GIVING THINGS UP
LIKE CANDY, ICE CREAM, MOVIES
BUT I SUGGEST
WE DO
WHAT WE NORMALLY DO
BUT TRY TO DO IT BETTER.

SO WHATEVER
IS A SORE SPOT IN YOUR LIFE,
WHATEVER IN YOUR LIFE
DOES NOT LOOK LIKE
CHRIST IN ACTION
WHATEVER IS NOT YOUR BEST
IN WHATEVER WAY
YOU ARE MISSING THE MARK
STOP
PRAY
AND RE-AIM YOUR ARROW.

SUGGESTIONS
HUSBAND AND WIVES
REDUCE FRICTION.
CHILDREN DO YOUR SCHOOL WORK
AND CHORES WILLINGLY
OR LEAST WITHOUT GRUMBLING
ALL OF US EAT
WHAT WE'RE SERVED
WITHOUT GRUMBLING
ALL OF US
TURN OFF THE TELEVISION
AND TALK TO EACH OTHER.
ALL OF US MAKE TIME
FOR REGULAR PRAYER
ALL OF US
READ A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE DAILY.

REMEMBER JESUS BESTED SATAN
WITH ANSWERS FROM THE BIBLE

IN ALL THINGS
BE GENTLE WITH EACH OTHER
AND WITH YOURSELVES
WE ARE PRECIOUS DUST
REDEEMED BY CHRIST
BECAUSE GOD LOVES HIS CREATION
AND WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR US.
WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU,
WHAT IS BEST FOR ME

FINALLY
THESE FORTY DAYS OF LENT
REPRESENT
THE LAST DAYS AND WEEKS
OF LIFE OF JESUS
WHEN THE FORCES OF DARKNESS
WERE TRYING
TO FIRST SILENCE HIM
AND WHEN THAT FAILED
TO KILL HIM

THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING
AROUND JESUS
AS THE ENEMY CIRCLES

MANY ARE LEAVING JESUS.
IT IS A LONELY TIME.

HE ASKS US
COULD YOU NOT
WALK
THESE LAST FEW DAYS
WITH ME
COULD YOU NOT
FOR THESE LAST FEW DAYS
THESE FORTY DAYS
GIVE ME YOUR BEST
NOT FOR PROFIT
NOT FOR GAIN
NOT FOR MERIT
BUT BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME

CAN WE SAY YES TO HIS PLEA

Walter Reed

WHEN OLD MEN
SEND YOUNG MEN
OFF TO WAR

THEY SHOULDN'T CROW
LIKE ROOSTERS
AT THE VICTORY
AS IF THEY
HAD
PARTICIPATED

THEY PIOUSLY PRATE
FAMILY VALUES
AND SEPARATE FAMILIES

FOLLOWING BAD LEADERS
IS NOT PATRIOTISM

THE DEAD THEY HONOR
THE WOUNDED
THEY HIDE
IN SQUALOR

THEY WERE SENT TO FIGHT
WITHOUT PREPARATION
FOR EITHER WAR
OR WOUNDED

OLD MEN
SHOULD LEAD THE CHARGE
TO SEE IF THEIR WORDS
RING TRUE

AND YOUNG MEN
SHOULD LIVE
TO BE GRANDPARENTS
AND SPOIL THEIR GRANDCHILDREN
AS THEIR DUE