The Seasons: A Poem

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Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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Charity Must Prevail

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Mark 3:1-6 or Luke 6:6-11

People often cite the "cleansing of the Temple" as a time where Jesus acted in "righteous anger." His disgust with the money changers and dealers in goods prompted an outburst that would have gained the attention of the hardest of hearts. Sometimes Jesus needs to "whip" us into shape. 
 
Far more powerful is the anger that Our Lord expresses today. The leaders were so caught up in the ceremonial rules for the Sabbath that they were blind to the rule of charity. Jesus even gives them an opportunity to really think about what they are promoting. He isn't condemning them for keeping the Sabbath but for making the rules so legalistic that they paralyze believers, disabling them from doing good works. Yet their hearts were so hardened the opportunity fell flat. 
 
What is so frightening about this passage is that "[Jesus] looked at them with anger." In other words, if looks could kill these guys would be toast. Jesus, who has already established that He is the Lord of the Sabbath will not be cowered from doing good by these guys. So, almost in a violent act of defiance He commands the man - "Stretch out your hand." 

It is amazing how this act of love, this work of charity so inflames the Pharisees that they are willing to join forces with the Herodians. These two groups, who were previously directly opposed to each other, are joined in one common goal to "destroy him." 

Lord Jesus, reveal to me the times when I judge others. Help me to place the law of charity above all other laws. Help me to obey the rules and laws of the Church but to also realize that the Church Herself encourages us to place charity above all else. Jesus, help me to love my enemies. Help me to love them as You loved the Pharisees and Herodians even though they sought to destroy You. Their hatred for You did not destroy Your love for them. Give me the strength to love as You love. Remove the hardness of my heart and give me the grace to stretch out my withered soul. 

FROM THE SAINTS - Let this especially be the common aim of all, neither to give way having once begun, nor to faint in trouble, nor to say: We have lived in the discipline a long time: but rather as though making a beginning daily let us increase our earnestness. For the whole life of man is very short, measured by the ages to come, wherefore all our time is nothing compared with eternal life. - Saint Anthony of the Desert - Discourse on Demons


My new book of cryptogram puzzles "Secret Messages from the Saints" is available now.
  
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