Fw: [thomasmerton] A Gem

[Guest guest]

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<adobe36

<thomasmerton>

Thursday, April 19, 2001 6:18 PM

[thomasmerton] A Gem

 

>

>

> WERE I GODDE...

>

> (Musings of an ancient wounded healer after a lifetime of listening)

>

> Were I Godde

> I would dive

> into the darkest shadows

> of being human,

> into profound pain,

> outrageous loss,

> unbearable suffering,

> embracing all the tears

> and the joy I could find,

> and I would swim

> towards Light

> taking with me

> as much of the brokenness

> everywhere and of all time

> as I could gather.

> Were I Godde I would live

> in despair and in hope.

> I would be

> the inspiration of a poem,

> the rainbow, the dew on the grass,

> the color of fall, the gentle breeze,

> the kind word, the tender touch,

> the laughter of children.

> I would abide in every flower,

> every seed,

> every cry and sigh,

> I would be

> the possibility of

> each new moment.

> I would be weakness

> finding strength,

> never lording it over others,

> but in every humble service,

> pitching my tent

> among the poor,

> preferring the outsiders.

> I would nestle in vulnerability:

> risking and giving Self.

> Were I Godde I would hide

> so subtly within all creation

> that I could never be caught.

> I would be so unutterable

> as to resist being talked about,

> and abhor the use of the "God" name

> remembering the oppression

> done in my name.

> I would exist beyond any word

> any symbol,

> any possible expression,

> but I would dwell

> in every human groan.

> I would avoid expected places:

> some pulpits, rituals, churches.

> I would never be snared

> by theology, religion

> or even prayer.

> No sacred book, system

> or creed could capture

> or contain Me--

> my incomprehensible

> awful immensities.

> I would exist solely

> to be given away,

> with heart not mind,

> never to be comprehended or

> held by safe orthodoxy:

> far more verb than noun.

> I would be yearning for freedom,

> passion for justice,

> thirsting for peace,

> searching for truth,

> craving for affirmation,

> ardor for sharing,

> the making of love,

> and the ecstasy of surrender.

> I would be in

> every form of hurting

> and its transcendence.

> I would be gleamed

> in lowly favors, generosity,

> courage, simplicity, compassion

> but especially

> in forgiveness.

> I would be aborning ever new

> in the bruised and lonely heart.

> I would be found more

> in doubt than in certainty

> more in questioning than

> in righteousness.

> I would need to be

> intimately concealed

> because the human ego

> is so ready to use Me

> to elevate itself

> by judging others.

> I would despise the use

> of presumed truths about Me

> to divide the human race,

> for every sectarian purpose.

> Were I Godde I would enjoy

> leaving clues, riddles

> and traces everywhere,

> being tracked only

> by valiant searchers.

> I would glory in

> the incompleteness

> of my creatures

> and all of my creation,

> knowing

> that the human spirit

> I sustain

> could triumph

> over any human mess

> and bring love and equity

> even as I do,

> out of chaos.

> I would love

> transforming

> futility.

> I would let myself be glimpsed

> in sunrises and sunsets

> in the wonders of nature

> planet earth

> --ship and voyager--

> cosmic immensities

> galaxies and darkness,

> in human loving,

> yearning and striving,

> in quiet stillness and

> becoming little

> in EVERY human story.

>

> - Paschal Bernard Baute

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>

> "Christ came on earth to form contemplatives" Thomas Merton

>

> Your use of is subject to

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, White Wolfe! This is glorious... I have sent it on to several

destinations.

>> WERE I GODDE...

>>

>> (Musings of an ancient wounded healer after a lifetime of listening)

>>

>> Were I Godde

>> I would dive

>> into the darkest shadows

>> of being human,

>> into profound pain,

>> outrageous loss,

>snip>