“Hello to the power of belonging.

Hello to the power of the responsibility of belonging.”

— Padraig O’Tuama

It is written of Two Edens: Upper and Lower

at first glance a well formed riddle

In the black and white duality we are left to search out the way

Yet God in their wisdom sets us perfectly smack dab in the middle

The Resurrection provides us pathway to live in the gray

The in between. The Golden mean,

where we currently work and rest.

Though striving for utmost of two extremes

the tension of already but not yet.

The other being least we attempt to wean,

rather than subscribing to a version less

of our selves and our heart’s given dreams,

hoping the source of all to have met. 

As image bearers we seek, climb, dig, deep dive, and delve

In every crevice, around each corner in the overlap of this magical place

As we read in 1 Corinthians 13:12

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.”

Reflection as in the mirror of a continuous crucible by silver refinement,

Redemption as in purification through pressure like coal to diamonds.

These ancient yet childlike lands have porous borders,

Some with despair and bitter belonging,

others with lively celebration and feast.

The sacred cartography has a key for the orders,

Greatest doesn’t become by wronging,

rather by allowing ourselves to be least.

May we incline our heads toward each other fully,

that we may see the image of God more clear,

in the face of an enemy, a refugee or a stranger.

Choosing wholehearted love as greater than empty fear,

and compassionate hope greater than potential danger.

Moving precious and turbulent time with botanical interests and dreams of creation,

Tending to the garden isn’t just a novel way to pass the time, It’s an act of faith.

We sift the soil of the earth and each other’s hearts in every presented situation, 

Called to cultivate and patiently wait.

We each have unique skills to share and gifts to give,

a particular place in the choir, a special role on the team.

We sing and play better freely imparting what we’re given to live,

As the very beginning foretells the mouth of the stream.

Trusting the master gardener to bestow breath

into the seeds we have sewn,

and the deeds we have shown, 

conquering death because love’s worth it.

Using our gifts and powers, knowing light and song, 

the fervent way, and the word to disperse it.

We are but sunflowers growing in Babylon,

filtering out the curse from the earth to reverse it.

Those on the wide and crooked may try to speed through

While continuing on down this mysterious unknown road

are the straight and narrow which the world may despise 

May we live out the tales we tell of ourselves which are more than true

The gentlest horses become burdened to carry the heaviest load

Thus they must let loose and lay down the weight of the lies

We are works in process of progress seeking the next best thing to do

In all that we execute and say day by day striving for a heavenly abode

Noting when we miss the mark in spite of well intentioned tries

The ways to less are many but the ways to more are few

With gracious gratitude we praise the one able to crack the code 

For we’ll fly one day only because Jesus was first able to rise.

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Title taken from a combination of Mark 12:31 and Luke 10:37

Written for The Rock Church Easter Service 4/20/25