Parson Tom's Hijacked Prayers
Poem and Reflection
Outline for 2nd Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 7)
The lessons for June 23rd
are:
The passage from 1st Kings
is the story of Elijah, fleeing from Jezebel trying to hear God which
only is able to reach him in “sheer silence”
The Psalm speaks of how the soul longs
for God as the Deer longs for the water brooks,
The Epistle from Galatians says that
the old identity of dutiful play actor under the direction of the law
is dead and replaced by being “in” Christ.
Luke remembers Jesus healing the man
possessed with many demons.
I have been thinking that I am like
that man who has many demons, some acknowledged and some hidden in
shadows shadow. Often when I go into prayer the demons come and
tickle my ego with fantasies about how I might impress God and others
with my power. The image of me as Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling
Matinee Idol, is one of my demons and comes forth when I am tempted
to swagger and see any difficulties as a matter of overcoming with my
own energy and power like Robin Hood fighting off the Sheriff's men
and conquering Lady Marian.
This poem led me to realize again how
hard it was for for Elijah to stop and listen, the person ruled by
rules to give up roles, and the demoniac to give up his demons. It is
not something that happened 2000 years ago but happens for me each
time I slow down and listen to God. This is where If I was working
for a living I would sit down and write a reflection. Where would you
go with it?
Parson Tom's Hijacked Prayers
Today I decide not to listen to sheer
silence,
instead wanting to play with my demons
who wait inside listening for a summons
from imagination where once sought
asylum.
This moment I call a road show Errol
Flynn
in residence to enter with smarmy charm
being able my many enemies to disarm
while seducing new lovers' hearts to spin.
“Come me hearties; let us conquer
hearts,
and prove our worth for whatever God
may be!”
The problem is this God looks a lot
like me
waiting in central casting office for
bit parts.
But now, breathe in, out, and closely
listen;
for the deepest spirit comes up to
audition.
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