Sunday, September 25, 2016

Eating Resurrection

The Rev. Nancy E. Gossling


You are what you eat
So eat resurrection.
Taste and see
That it is good.

See, I am doing a new thing, God said.
Do you not perceive it?
I’m eating resurrection,
Retelling the ancient story,
Reframing the pastoral picture,
I’m reclaiming creation.
Be careful what you eat.

Eat resurrection.
Fill the hungry with good things.
Quench the thirsty.
Set the table.  
Welcome all.
Entertain angels unaware.

Eat resurrection.
Every last morsel.
Drain the dregs of the cup.
Take that last swallow, and then
Breathe. You are
Full because you were emptied.

Eat resurrection every day.
It’s like manna from heaven.
Fresh dew in the morning,
Poured into a cup of re-creation.
Cold pressed by a fiery furnace.

Eat resurrection today.
Celebrate the feast.
Behold who you are.
Become what you receive.
Be resurrection.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

A Sharp Word

The Rev. Nancy E. Gossling

A sharp word
A critical comment
Even some angry rants.


I always wonder
What’s up with that?


Hard not to judge
Daily work to consider
What part of the Body am I playing.


I take these things to heart
I feel the jab and the blow.
Shall I be the feet and run?
Or the hands that defend?
Bear arms to retaliate? Or just
Listen.


Needs. I hear. I have needs.
For love, for value, for equality.
She felt diminished.
He reacted in self-defense.
They bore wounds of injustice.
I was an easy target.


Her words knocked me down.
His actions hurt.
They took the wind out of my sails.
I was wrong.
Unfair. Misguided. Mean-spirited.


Maybe so.


The small voice whispered again.
Listen.
Soft words, gentle winds.
Bearing arms, fruits, gifts of the Spirit.
We all have needs.
Love, value, equality.
What parts of the Body will we be?