Unmasking Love

During my centering prayer time today, it occurred to me that whatever our spiritual, religious, or political beliefs, we can agree that the individual men and women employed by ICE need calmness, self-control, and wisdom.

Let’s unmask these men and women of ICE — our neighbors, our friends, our relatives — in our hearts, in our prayers, in our wishes for them, in our thoughts about them.

Litany for Mom

Ernie, long-loved son-in-law,
Bring her home

Mark, valiant nephew,
Bring her home

Mike and Charlie,
Who knew chronic disabilities,
bring her home

Joe, Winnie Craig’s gorgeous pilot,
Bring her home

Mike, Chris, Joey
Gone too soon
Bring her home

Freddie, treasured godson,
Bring her home

DeeBoy, Irish twin,
Bring her home

Andre, brother and neighbor,
Bring her home

Donald, brother and priest,
Bring her home

Marcel, baby brother,
Bring her home

Daddy George, adored father,
Bring her home

Mere Noon and Mamman
Aunt Lydia, Aunt Winnie
Bring her home

Mere JC,
Tante Del, Tante Dele, Tante Lise,
Tante Née, Tante Georgine,
Bring her home

Forefathers and foremothers,
French and Cajun,
Mom’s own great cloud of witnesses,
Bring her home

Charlie, beloved and troubled husband,
Let her live in peace
Until she is called home.



A Necessary Prayer

I chose to bear this burden,
O Eternal Goodness,
But of what value is that choice
If my secret heart resents another
Who chose to reject this burden?

My heart open opens easily
To the care of my mother
To the financing of her needs

But, like a morning glory when the sun rises high,
My selfish heart closes
Too often
On the other

I cannot open my wayward heart
I cannot choose to love
Although I want to

Create in me an open heart, O Eternal Love,
And renew my failing spirit, O Generous Forgiveness,
For the sake of my mother
For the sake of the other
For the sake of your holiness
For the sake of myself
Do for me what I cannot do for myself:
Pull the weed of resentment from my heart
Plant there your always blossoming forgiveness
Amen

GLORY

Gifts and garlands
Lessons and carols
Ornaments and wreaths
Remind me
YOU are Immanuel, God With Us

Gaza and Israel
Light and dark
Ours and not ours
Russia and Ukraine
YOU are them

Grant me always
Love of You
Only let me
Remember always
YOU are everything, everyone, everywhere