Ha ha! And Oh Lord!

    “There were an estimated eight to nine million at the No Kings rally …”

    “Ha ha! You’re so dumb. We don’t have kings. We took care of that in 1776. We’re democracy, dumbass.”

    “Right. You understand, of course, that what we’re doing is trying to protect that democracy from authoritarians who would subvert our rule of law…”

    “Ha ha! You’re so dumb We’re not a democracy. We’re a constitutional republic.”

    “Yes, but a republic is a form of democra…”

    “Try reading Alexis de Tocqueville, moron!”

    Test the professions to reveal the confessions – or the lack thereof – in our global warming, resource plundering disaster. It’s a moment of crisis for anyone with half an eye or even a detuned ear. But seeing they might see and hearing they might hear. And no one wants that sense. Bandaged and broken. Limping along with sick vandalism.

    “O Lord! There’s never been such a violent, lawless, decadent generation,” says the pearl clutching Evangelical who’s never looked at history. “I’ve seen things I never dreamed possible. World wide corruption. Debauchery in the western world…”

    “Our God is a God of war. A God of battle. And our Christ is the Christ of Conquest. Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”

    “It’s the same maniacal purpose. The same evil system collapsing. You’ve seen the suicide attempts and people indicted. The law is finally being enforced. At home and abroad. On a global scale. Now why not make it personal?”

    You cannot reason with them. Logic and reason are destroyed. The science fiction writers were right: the authorities have become as psychotic as the people they hunted. The authorities are filled with hate.

    “Do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up or not, goddamn it:?!”

The Mystery and the Longing

    Why are you weeping?
    The mystery and longing of this morning
    revealed and unrecognized, misunderstood
    “if you have taken him...”

    Ordinary extraordinary from the grave
    reach out but do not grasp
    further on further into mystery
    truly risen into unsettled perfection
    flesh and wonder spirit rise

    Why are you weeping?
    The mystery and longing of this day
    now named and recognized, realized
    “I have seen the Lord.”

(John 20:11-18)

An Easter Morning Meditation

    How can I celebrate the resurrection when Iran is under bombs?
    When Venezuela is being plundered?
    When Gaza is little but rubble?
    When Ukraine is burning?
    When citizens are shot in the street?
    When immigrant children are ripped from the arms of their mothers?
    
    I don’t know. I don’t know.
    But he is risen.
    Indeed.

A Meditation on Holy Saturday

    Yesterday’s jagged thunder and lightning fled but the wind remained, and it was cruel. I tried to find my way to the tomb and to silence from unnecessary words.
    Stumbling down broken steps
    through susurrant pines
    and buildings with blackout security precautions
    and private property cameras.
    I heard screaming ambulance sirens
    on hidden highways.
    I smelled marijuana.
    I walked by braying dogs at cemetery gates and death and Hades followed.
    I tried to find my way to the tomb and to silence.

A Good Friday Meditation

    Good Friday and the world has slipped from time. I spent the day walking in the wind and in the rain. Walking late and overtime in the cold.

    They took charge of Jesus, and carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the skull. Look into the dust of it. The scent and tang of earth upon the air. Dust to dust.

    “Happy Easter!” someone shouted from their porch as I passed. Golgotha.

    Why do they…? Why do I…? But prove all things by the strength of love. This love. Digged deep and love laid low.

    “He is risen!” I replied but it was too early. And there was no one there where they crucified him.

(John19:17-18)