Psalms of Advent

These poems and reflections were written while on a one-day Advent Retreat at none other than the Jesuit Center. A potter was at the center of our day, working on a wheel, make pots, answering questions, and offering inspiration. The day was an offering of Kairos, to whom I am grateful for making the space and opportunity.

 

Advent

The darkest time of year

Poised for awakening

Begging for light

A Psalm of Advent

The darkest time of year.

Cold, dark, gray.

Bare branches line the

paths once green and verdant.

Gray skies hang low

and mist enshrouds.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting…

For the courage of Mary

for the chorus of angels

for bright stars and

full moon.

For God

breaking into His world.

For the love of a baby.

For the Light of the world!

 

Psalm of Advent II

In the darkness

Lurks my sin

My judging eye

My scornful word

My ugliness

My anger.

But thanks be to God

Darkness breaks

Into the eternal

Light of Love

That holds, embraces

Forgives, frees

Advent—coming

Comes in Christ.

All is well

All is well

 

Pottery

Almighty Father hands

strong and tender fingers

reaching deep into my soul—my guts

gently shaping

writing down my poetry

on the inner walls of my heart

and being

only to be read

by Him

Inspired by a story told of a Japanese potter who made magnificent pots and wrote poetry on the inside of the vessels.

 

Psalm of Advent III

Collapsing in the darkness

Stunned, like Mary

Wondering—sometimes frightened

At the Spirit’s growing

Presence in my life.

What is this call to love

To break through mist and darkness

A vessel made of clay

The silt of millions of stories

and floods and storms

Scooped up from the delta

by tender calloused hands

and loved into usefulness

broken and misshapen

then formed again—now stronger

with scars and streaks of blood

A tale of

humility and pain

of strength and courage

and the Father’s touch

Love is born

 

Reflection on Isaiah 25:67

Don’t you long for the feast?

For the lavish food and best wine?

For the laughter and chatter

of all the guests

gathered from around the world?

For God to remove the shroud

that blinds and separates and

divides all into us and them

eating and drinking

from separate bowls?

I weep and moan at the blindness

humbled by my own lack of sight

Am I missing the feast?

Is it now?

Is it here?

You came and You are coming!