And we are put on earth a little space,
That we may learn to bear the beams of love.
– William Blake
The Flood
It crept up slowly.
You did not notice at first,
though your feet were always cold ,
socks soggy.
Accustomed to the damp
you pulled on galoshes
then hip waders.
You didn’t know why
you were always so tired
like walking against a strong current, you’d say.
By the time the force of the tide
sucked your heart
out by the roots
it was too late.
You plunged
into that dark torrent
gasping for air
clawing
for something to hang onto.
The ark you
unbelieving
had refused
rocked above the waters.
The old man leaned
over the side
extended a wooden
beam.
I see you are ready now, he said.
Grab on,
there is room for one more.
__________________
Is something threatening to drown you, which you keep ignoring?
What keeps you from reaching out for help?
If you are safe in your arc, is there someone out there who needs a hand up into the boat?
What are you waiting for?
______________________________
Note to readers: This blog is part of a series of Lenten “short takes” on the themes of lent, which follow more or less the lectionary Scripture lessons for this season. Like a note you find tucked under the bark of a tree, a lozenge to let melt in your mouth, an amulet to wear around your neck, I hope these little reflections may hold a small dose of truth or comfort or challenge for your life on the way to Easter.
In the abundance of words which inundate us daily, it is easy for the message of redemption to be buried under the latest disaster, outrage or scandal. Likewise the familiar stories and passages of lent may grow dull and trite to ears and hearts already stuffed with words.
I have noticed in my work as spiritual director that it is hard for many of us to take in the goodness and grace, as well as the challenge of the story of Jesus and God’s redeeming love. Perhaps we need to titrate the gospel. Sometimes a well- timed, tiny dose, carefully administered, may be what the Physician orders for our healing. And so slowly we build up our tolerance for love and more and more joy finds the faith in us through which to invade our being.
Dose titration: adjustment of the dose until the medication
has achieved the desired effect
The Praying Life 