Thursday, June 10, 2010

What mean these stones?

Land of my fathers,
how I long to return,
to touch thy earth,
and find again thy sacred paths,
well-walked with the Gospel of Peace,
veiled now in the shadow of mediocrity.
'What mean these stones' which beset thy coastline, who in twisted agony cry out in praise and supplication of Him and the renewal of the faith that bled to secure them there?
Yet we would walk again
thy sacred paths, repair thy ancient ruins, restore thy broken altars, raise up the foundations of many generations.
Hear this, you lands of the South who hold many in captivity by your empty words and well-worn myths, who neglect to see justice for the poor, the widow, the fatherless.
Look to the North -
for lo your Redeemer comes,
clothed in the poverty of the few
who dare to speak His name,
without vanity, in a whisper,
lest the earth should tremble Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord.
Poor of Yahweh, arise,
take up the ancient mantle
which has awaited your day;
clothe yourselves within its humility,
for you have been set
as a stumbling block for many.

Further as adapted from Isaiah 58:6-12:

Then shall your light break forth as the morning; healing shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rearguard.
The Lord will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land.
The Lord will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

So remember the words of our Lord:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” [Matthew 7]

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