And we are put on earth a little space,
That we may learn to bear the beams of love.
– William Blake
Fast
Bound
breathless and blind
open your eyes.
Unclasp the clutch
of the hand
around your throat.
Fast
to break the fast
of the barbed hooks
and thorns
of dissolute gods
boring into the bleeding brow
of your howling soul.
- Where are addictions or unhealthy attachments tying up your freedom to be available to God on God’s terms – however God would have you?
- What dissolute, lying gods have their merciless hands around your throat?
- Will you open your eyes?
______________________________
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 