this is the space of chrysalis--
of break-downs & becoming
something
something better
something more true
(we hope, we imagine)
this is the crazy time (some say)
this is what they warned us about:
"remember, you are more prone to accidents
and illness. remember to breathe."
no maps are available
no one has been here before
no one knows what's ahead
this is a time for noticing
where once-was has collapsed
and might-be is still unclear
this is the interim,
the great in-between
in this space,
ghosts linger close &
whisper
"have faith, trust"
"keep going" "let go"
in this space we abandon oppression
in this space we lean into freedom
in this space we cry to/with
Alpha, Omega & the Almighty Now
it's OK to grumble in the desert
it's OK to doubt
& cry.
really. it's OK to cry
with the weeping of the shadows
(is anything defined?)
in this space we cry with each other
for when all is stormy and unsettled
it's OK to feel fear with hope
it's OK to fear grief with joy
it's OK to feel excitement with anxiety
it's OK to feel gratitude with rage
it's OK to feel everything
for you are crossing through splitting seas
you are moving through passageways
towards mystery and dreams
for this is holy ground
this is the great bridging & rebuilding
this is sacred space
where we see
what was wrong
with what we
once named
normal
for this is a space to allow
a new creation
to burst and blossom
to get ready
we are on our way
This is a poem I wrote and published here last year, on the feast of St. Clare: pregnant with poverty she stands up boldly holding Truth with “always” piercing her lips the pure Truth-Light shields and embraces her back covered with brown like earth she beckons community to the table breaking open Bread of union…
I live in a neighborhood filled with vibrant, Mexican art and murals. Some of my favorites are mosaics. I love admiring a cohesive image from afar, then drawing close and realizing how many different shades and colors are really there. From close up, it can be hard to imagine how these little shapes could possibly…
This is a complicated world, but not for the sake of trying. How do we respond? What is it that I have done? Have I tried to lay in the long grass, to wake early and see my breath? When did I last wait to hear, Not answer, not voice,…
Oh God, who desire not the death of sinners, but their conversion, mercifully hear our prayers and in your kindness be pleased to bless these ashes, which we intend to receive upon our heads, that we, who acknowledge we are but ashes shall return to dust, may, through a steadfast observance of Lent, gain pardon for sins…
“Fundamentally prisons are not broken; they are designed to do something that is wrong.”
–Hannah Bowman,
Founder of Christians for the Abolition of Prisons
In episode four, Sister Julia speaks with guest Hannah Bowman about how Chrisitans are called to work for Prison Abolition.
Merry Christmas! With the birth of Christ, we’ve entered into the season of the Incarnation. The arrival of the Incarnation is God-made-flesh and dwelling among us as a babe long ago and God’s powerful presence active in each ordinary moment. God is near, God is here: peer into the humble love revealed among the heartaches,…