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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The Medicine of Penance

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Readings for the Friday after Ash Wednesday


"You are afraid of penance?... Of penance, which will help you to obtain Life everlasting? And yet, in order to preserve this poor present life, don't you see how men will submit to all the cruel torture of a surgical operation?" - Saint Josemaria Escriva - The Way 224

In the United States we spend billions of dollars every year for health care. What once was a work of mercy is now a multi-billion dollar industry. So much energy, money, time and more is spent to preserve this "poor present life" only to have it slip away in the end. I am not saying that much should not be done to preserve and care for life but even the family of Lazarus knew that they would grieve once again. This life is not all that there is.


The question for today is what would happen if we put that much energy and emphasis, not on this "poor present life", but on that life that will never end? What would happen if we were to let the Divine Physician heal us through penance this Lent? What if we were to let the Divine Physican keep us well in this life and eternal life by taking a daily dose of penance - taking up our cross daily?

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