Alternates

We are the fools.

The alternative to the world’s wisdom.

When they say hate, we say love.

When they say hawk, we say dove.

When they say rich, we say poor.

When they say fight, we end the war.

When arrogance sweeps o’er the land,

We bend our knees and fold our hands.

When they seek power over others,

We walk beside sisters and brothers.

When they depend upon our silence

Amidst injustice, greed, and violence,

We raise our voices loud and strong,

To praise what’s right, and stop what’s wrong.

And when they hope in earthly things,

We put our faith in Heaven’s King.

Who rode an ass, and bore a cross,

To show the world what it has lost.

Under Christ’s Mercy,

Brent

Minneapolis

Helpless.

That’s how this feels,

as jackbooted thugs

pummel faces with fists,

knees,

bullets.

And so I kneel

asking for the miracle

that will awaken your Church,

that silent behemoth that sleeps

beneath the din

(so enraptured with civility)

(or else captured by anti-Christ)

to rise once more

and shake the world

with love, faith,

and strong determination.

Perhaps we are not

helpless after all.

Under Christ’s Mercy,

Brent

Mary’s Oil

A Meditation on Mark 14:1-9

I’m not going to stop evil. 

Not entirely.

I mean, who ever did?

It’s like perpetual motion,

a machine that won’t stop.

A devouring, raging brute,

clawing its way from age to age. 

I read the signs, my heart flutters

to history’s latest frenzy. 

Things fall apart, as Yeats observed. 

All I can do is break my flask,

offer my libation,

proffer my resistance,

pour out my love,

as small and meaningless

as these may seem. 

But at least He will know.

At least the fragrance

will fill the room –

if only for a moment. 

What good will it possibly do? 

Perhaps no more than a fleeting respite. 

Or, perhaps, by God’s grace,

all the good in the world.    

Time will tell. 

Under Christ’s Mercy,

Brent