Letting Go, Grabbing Hold Of
- Abigail Burnett
- Feb 22, 2024
- 3 min read
All the Kingdoms of the World
Malcolm Guite
‘So here’s the deal and this is what you get:
The penthouse suite with world-commanding views,
The banker’s bonus and the private jet
Control and ownership of all the news
An ‘in’ to that exclusive one percent,
Who know the score, who really run the show
With interest on every penny lent
And sweeteners for cronies in the know.
A straight arrangement between me and you
No hell below or heaven high above
You just admit it, and give me my due
And wake up from this foolish dream of love…’
But Jesus laughed, ‘You are not what you seem.
Love is the waking life, you are the dream.’
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Grateful for poetry. And how it speaks truth.
At a slant.
Sneaking it in.
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Not because Truth is sneaky.
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But because I need to be surprised by Truth
In order to discover it in my deepest | most guarded places.
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And so I share this poem from Malcolm Guite.
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We are in the season of Lent.
A season of bright sadness. As it has been described.
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In the midst of tears | grief | mental fatigue.
There can be hope | joy | gratefulness.
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The purpose of giving up something for Lent.
Is to focus on all that Christ is.
And that through Christ
We truly do have all things.
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I am trying to remind myself of that great truth
As I crave coffee on a regular basis {I was a serial drinker}
{and this was hubby’s and my sacrifice this Lent}
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My kids all sacrificed something as well
Completely on their own initiative
Kid 1 – gum {we usually have it every math lesson}
Kid 2 – painting {this kid loves art and painting}
Kid 3 – pepperoni pizza {this kid loves pizza}
Kid 4 – pepperoni pizza {copies Kid 3}
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In the words of Malcolm Guite
'Lent is a time set aside to re-orient ourselves,
to clarify our minds, to slow down, recover from distraction,
to focus on the values of God’s Kingdom
and on the value he has set on us and on our neighbours.
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This is not my daily experience.
I forget.
Become bogged down by all my
Wants. Wishes. Aspirations. Comparisons.
Coffee cravings.
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How do we begin to see with a different lens?
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How do we remedy - set right - the imbalance in our vision of the world and ourselves?
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Poetry {and the poetic imagination}
Is truth bearing. It is {so very} needed
In our rationalistic and analytical world.
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We need poetry.
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by Malcolm Guite is a great anthology for the season of Lent.
With a poem a day to challenge your heart and awaken your senses.
It is followed by Guite’s own commentary.
Helpful and insightful.
{side note: you can access his poems for Lent online.
If you want his commentary you will need to purchase his book}
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ahumbleplace.com has resources {to purchase} for the whole family.
Here you will find art to ponder and meditate on.
A scripture passage and a Lenten poem and hymn.
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I thought it was interesting. And fitting.
That Lent should start on February 14 this year.
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The same day we celebrate love.
We begin the season of letting go.
To make space for more love in our hearts.
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This led me to ponder anew
Who was Valentine?
What is Valentine's all about really?
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According to history.com
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'On February 14, around the year 270 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, is said to have been executed.
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Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.
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To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.'
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'For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death.
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It's beautiful that Valentine's Day could be named after a man
Who stood by his convictions.
And loved God.
And loved people.
And was courageous.
And wouldn't bend to an unjust decree.
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That's a solid kind of love for humanity.
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As we continue to move through this Lent season.
May you experience this courage.
And the deep love of God in your hearts.
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