Thanks be to Joseph son of Israel and to His God
Who then is so like Christ as our father Joseph?
The stars of heaven bowed down prefiguring Christ
His brothers saught to kill him forshadowing Christ
Like Christ he descended into Egypt as a youth
Christ harrowed Hades, Joseph even Pharoah’s house
O happy day when Joseph went ahead silent slave
Purposed to preserve Israel as brothers reconciled
Now that same Spirit stands between God and man
Great wisdom of God; Christ first born from the dead!
How dread was the judgment seat on which Joseph sat!
Grasping Israel’s fate between beginning and ending
Resolved not by sword, nor famine’s justice inflicted
But tear rivers in sand, arms grasping shoulders in love
When Christ is revealed from heaven mighty with angels
Tears as streams flaming poured out on the earth
His grasping arms as a mantle of glory on His brothers
The cosmos then reconciled as with Joseph by love!
Do not follow me, for I am a foolish man.
I say “look here”, then speak mere words,
Or blow against reeds, beg you listen.
Scratching out pictures on sandy beach
Look there before the waves wash away!
Lightening from heaven has already vanished
My words merely insult the coming of thunder.
This mystery solitary
There are not two, but one
Nothing between us
Though we grapple the night
Sweating blood
A crying out in the darkness
Dying to bring life
Nothing can survive alone
“Poet, show me where God dwells!”
How shall I answer? Here it is.
If we exist, then God does not; but if He is, we are not.
Wholly other, none living or dead has gazed upon with eyes.
Schools of philosophers sought the mind and found nothing.
Science probed the dawn of time, discovering only darkness.
Mystics seek senses to pierce the veil, their reward madness.
So that many abandon hope building gods of steel and stone.
What temple can we enter, what songs can we sing?
Where is the tabernacle that could circumscribe the nothing?
Who will grant knowledge of the unknowable?
Should we be pilgrims without a road?
Is the world forever empty?
How can we be freed our dusty doom?
There is a secret in your hearts.
And a womb greater than the skies.
Don’t
look back.
Do not clasp tightly to your mother’s robe of tears.
Nor make restitution to your father.
Leave
them behind.
Let someone else slaughter the oxen and throw a feast.
And let dead men eat dead flesh.
But
for us,
Without any wealth of this world, and desiring none,
Share the blood of the Living God!
Live
forever.
As there are many ways for life to come to an end,
Do not waste, but quicken, the everlasting.
Are heart-riddles for mastery or obedience?
You cannot force yourself upon the gates of heaven.
“Peace and safety” do not prepare souls for judgment,
And empty houses are also quiet houses.
Sobriety is not woe, but wakefulness.
Be aware! The night air speaks lies about the stars.
What remains hidden to the finder of lost things?
What is missing to one who is both here and there?
May images fade while in the care of the painter?
Or sheep taken when the shepherd stands guard?
Nothing is mislaid, not a wisp of smoke forgotten.
In the King’s land, the storehouses are never empty;
There is no need, no famine, no shortfall in harvest.
Inexhaustable is His name, His labors countless!
Beware you who think yourselves righteous givers.
Woe to whom believe the Lord needs what they have!
God Almighty does not desire your sacrifices.
Nor need your help to move the very heavens!
From limitless mystery He who began all songs
Condescends in love to know and make known.
Dancing together in jubilant celebration of life,
We the receivers of gifts, He who gives Himself.
The outside of the Pharisees houses are full;
Those that are poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.
Inside the house of a Pharisee is empty.
What is it that makes a man’s heart to be blameless
Or stands the holy ones before Almighty God?
Gifts of salt and light, love and hospitality
Family and friends can repay your invitation
What does a gift to yourself profit your soul?
Give to the least of these and He will be the feast
Love your enemy, be generous with criminals,
Despise yourself and them that are near to you.
This is the cost of discipleship.
Those wayfarers and you called diaspora
Slaves washed in the blood of the Son
Known by the Father in mother’s womb
Souls of light and life sealed by the Spirit
The One is holy, yourselves also be holy
As the flower of your glory will wither
Know now the Lord’s endurance as your own
A precious thing never knowing shame
That you can rejoice in authentic faith
Know this necessary suffering is purposed
So that the fire might make pure gold
And receive the honor of Christ’s return
You keep this the Word of gospel given
Though not having seen with wakened eyes
Find for yourselves that joy inexpressible!
That foreseen end: a salvation full of glory
The fathers sought this affliction out
By prophecy spoken by our brothers
Virgin sisters suffered much in Christ
For glories mothers martyrs confessed
Christ did come at the appointed time
Both afflication and glory made one in Him
So that the stars’ motion from the first dawn
Might be vindicated in these last times
A promise that your purified hearts keep
In fervent love, that incorruptable seed,
Born again in obedience to truth and Spirit
Knowing the Word of God abides forever
Your former appetites offer no real comfort
That fall was in ignorance born in darkness
Now take a sober mind, gird your loins,
The pillar of fire now draws you to holiness
Drive out hate, and with it the spirit of lies
Care not for the wealth or land of others.
As the pure milk of the word passes your lips
So do not bespoil them by speaking evil.
Having tasted that grace of the Father
Set as more incorruptabile than gold,
Keep yourselves blameless without spoil
And prove His impartial justice in mercy.
May He the living stone of this spiritual house
Rejected by men, but chosen by God
Grant to you the holy priesthood that your
Sacrifice in spirit be made acceptable in Him
This is our living hope raised from the dead,
Preserved in Christ Jesus, perfected by the Spirit
Never fading, ever glorious, most radiant!
The Kingdom Triumphant come to pass. Amen.
