IN THE BASEMENT WITH THE OTHERS

SERMON ON THE PLAIN
 
He went down among them and stood on a level place.
            Luke 6: 17
Luego bajó con ellos y se detuvo en un llano.
            San Lucas 6: 17

What’s he saying?
I can’t hear.

What’s he doing now?
Where did he go?

I can’t see a thing.
Listen.

No pierden sus ojos de este hombre.
No despeguen sus ojos.

I think he’s here with us.
He came closer and disappeared.

Into us?
I think so. Just listen.

¿A dentro nosotros?

Jim Bodeen
30 March 2013—4 April 2013

“IF ALL THAT LUKE SAYS ABOUT THE GREAT REVERSAL
IS TRUE, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY OPEN TO US: SOLIDARITY”
            Justo L. González

A los hambrientos los colmó de bienes,
y a los ricos los despidió con las manos vacías.
            San Lucas 1: 52

John’s on his way and Mary already singing.
We’re in a basement,
a small group of blessed ones.
While I never had Easter eyes,
 
I fall over and over with pilgrims.
He has filled the hungry
and sent the rich away empty.
The great reversal in Mary’s song

carries me through winter.
No one can see the future
but it’s already here.
Violence reproduces itself.

Only peace can disarm violence.
How to get there, but with the women,
trying to learn their language,
walking on the side, watching.

Jim Bodeen
31 March 2013

IN THE EARLIER TIME
OF JULIA ESQUIVEL

They threatened resurrection.
Now it's austerity.

Jim Bodeen
3 April 2013

READING IN THE BASEMENT WITH OTHERS

 

“Were not our hearts burning inside us while he talked with us on the road…?”

        Luke 24: 32

—¿No ardía nuestro corazón mientras conversaba con nosotros en el camino…?           

        San Lucas 24: 32

 

This must be my life

Slow one on mountain skis

Wintering my eyes

 

Jim Bodeen

31 March 2013

 

DIVINE READING FOUND:  LECTIO DIVINA IN THE POEM

 

“When you devote yourself to the divine reading…seek the meaning of divine words which is hidden from most people.”
          Origen, 3d Century

In the mountains, a friend gives us the word—
Living word—read, meditate, pray and contemplate—
not to be studied, the Word of God—
not theological analysis, but Christ as key.
Entering peace, not studying it.

From Origen to Ambrose to Augustine—
to Benedict and Lectio Divina,
a 4-step program written up by Guigo,
John XXIII speaks for it opening Vatican II.
A text that combines these traditions comes from Paul in Romans X:
God’s words in the believer’s mouth or heart.
Ora et labora, pray and work.
Benedict says idleness is the enemy of the soul.
Bernard of Clairvaux says in reading you’ll find it in meditation.
Knock in prayer open in contemplation.
Four steps as shown by John of the Cross,
an infusion of love through listening and firing the soul.

Letting go of our agenda and opened again,
mouths filled with God.
Don’t let the reading be too long.
Reading is listening. Reading is waiting. Prayer is an opening.
Not to be contained. Not to be controlled.
Shrinking from noise and agitation.
To be alone with him who loves us,
as Teresa says, in healing the family tree.

Jim Bodeen
15 March—30 March 2013