Sunday, January 28, 2018

The Great I Am

Image credit: fpcomaha.org


I AM WHO I AM
Exodus 3:14

God said—
I Am

He was utterly
straightforward

Exists—

Is
Am

The most important
question
          answered
in the audible voice
of the Almighty
Himself

even without
the asking

Tell them, He told Moses

I Am
sent you

That He Is
Was
and Ever Shall Be—

is

the greatest
          manifestation
                   of our peace

Maude Carolan Pych  

Sunday, January 21, 2018

A Drink from a 4,000 Year-Old Well

Photo credit: netours.com


A CUP OF WATER FROM JACOB’S WELL
Israel Pilgrimage—1986

We arrive at Shechem
and make our way
to Jacob’s Well

It surprises me to find
this ancient water source
that I first read about in Genesis
still operating

and I’m astonished
to be offered
a refreshing cupful
drawn deeply
from a bucket
on a rope

The water is clear and cool
and tastes ordinary, but
what can be ordinary
about water drawn
from the very well
of the old patriarch
built 4000 years ago?

I purchase a small ceramic urn
filled with an ounce or so
of life’s most basic sustenance
It is sealed with a plug of wax

I’ll place it on a shelf at home
not because of any
mystical or magical powers

(It is ordinary water, after all)

but to remind me
of how far back in time
God’s amazing story goes

Maude Carolan Pych

Sunday, January 14, 2018

A Visit to the Dead Sea

One of my favorite places on Earth...
the Dead Sea

Photo credit: britannica.com


DEAD SEA DELIGHTS
Israel Pilgrimage—2006

Earlier today
while bussing
through the region
brilliant sunrays illuminated
the Dead Sea
bedazzling us
with sparkling expanses
of cerulean and turquoise

Now, amid evening shadows
some of us slip into the sea

There is ample darkness
so we dare to reach down
for handfuls of rich
black, therapeutic mud
and slather it lavishly
over our face and body

It’s November—
the air is cool
as is the sea
nevertheless
we linger
bobbing buoyantly
in extreme saltiness

as the precious muck
squishes and oozes
through our toes
     reminding us
     of when we were kids

Maude Carolan Pych

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Carrying Our Own Cross

Sometimes Life Can Be Difficult
and We Get to Carry Our Own Cross...

Image credit: pinterest.co.uk


The following poem
was written during a time of bereavement:


ACCEPTANCE


I accept this bitter cup
filled to the brim
with the wine
of sorrow
I'll take
and drink
it dry

For I have tasted
the sweet wine
of the red
grapes
of joy
the wine
of gladness
the wine
of blessing

I accept this cross—

I will lug its weight
upon my
bony shoulder
and trudge
the pathway
of travail
When
I misstep
and stumble
I'll call for help

My cross
is so, so small
compared to Yours
My bitter cup
sweet honey
All I need
to make it

Jesus

is Your hand
and Your deep
unfathomable
Love…

Maude Carolan