I see

This is my first blog. Please excuse the fact that the nonsense test-blog that Karen used to show me how to do this has burdened the COTA blog with a nonsense entry. It is my intention to try to do a blog a week that is a brief reflection on the scriptures appointed for the following Saturday. I know this sounds rather weak, but I hope that you find some of my meandering thoughts provoke some of your own thoughts and that you'd respond to me. The optimum outcome would be to get a dialogue going.

Scripture appointed for the
Second Sunday After Epiphany
Year A
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-12
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

Reflections

Words are my medium. I choose them carefully. I try to clearly communicate my ideas and express even my inmost thoughts. I write poetry and prayers. But there are some things you just can't explain in words. You have to see to believe.


John the Baptist says that he "saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove." He goes on to state "I myself have seen ... that this is the Son of God." [I have come to regard John the Baptist as primarily one who "sees" the truth about Jesus. So I've written a poem that I'll include at the end of this blog.] And when John's disciples want to know more about Jesus, Jesus himself tells them to "Come and see."


When I try to explain to friends what happens at COTA, I know that I don't even come close to capturing reality. It frequently sounds pretty lame. I talk about the music. I talk about eating bread and drinking wine. I talk about feeds and conversations. I talk about all the really special people I've met. But I don't really capture the essence of what is going on.
Perhaps this is because what happens is different for each of us here. Perhaps it is because God shows us each what we need to see in quiet prayers, in the words of a friend, or in the glorious music. I find myself saying over and over again, "You just have to come and see what this is like. This is different. This is good." But most people I say that to don't come. Some do. I wish I could say it better. But really, they do just have to "Come and see."



The Eyes of John the Baptizer

I see.

Even in the womb I saw
the God-child yet unborn
and lept with joy
at promises fulfilled.

I see the black hearts
behind the sumptuous robes
so I proclaim to power,
"Turn! Repent!"

In the poor and dispossessed
I see the kingdom already theirs.
In penitents I see forgiveness,
redemption, and new life.

And once, when baptizing,
I saw the heavens open
and the Spirit-dove descend
upon the God-man.

"Listen to him!"

They say I am the Voice
crying in the wilderness,
but, in truth, I am the Eyes
that see the worlds colliding,
the end approaching,
the victory.

I see!