In the month of July the Church honors the Precious Blood.  Was there ever a concept so contrary?  Blood…..the most staining, permanent substance, washes us clean.  Mind boggling liquid of salvation.  The Anima Christie leads us to beg:

Blood of Christ Save me,                                                                                                           Body of Christ, sanctify me,    Blood of Christ inebriate me …

What love covers

For the small ones
in their forgotten places

For the forgotten
and vanishing graces

For the neglected,
denied, rejected and lied to

For the marginalized
criminalized, used and bribed too

For religious fanatics
spiritual hypochondriacs

For the far right
the left behind

the broken of spirit
the abused of mind

For conspiracy theorists
and bleary eyed patriots

For gay lovers
and straight bashers
for pacifists and holy wars
for bush-league compatriots,
villains, comedians and bores
For everyone everywhere
from birth to ashes

For Mary’s Son’s most Sacred Heart

For all those who’d rather
not take part

For those we jeer at
to the man in the mirror at
the end of our day

Mustn’t we do something more
something more than merely pray?

Owen Swain is an artist, writer and poet who became Catholic after serving as a long time protestant pastor.  He told me that he was actually contemplating the Precious Blood as he wrote this poem.  We’re happy and privileged enjoy his talents.   http://owenswain.com

River of Eternity

Red, thick, warm, rolling down drip by drip

Emptied out and spilled for nil it seems.

What a waste of grace?

Temporary illusion poured out on now holy ground,

becoming a river that winds its way through all eternity.

Strength like a tsunami carrying all it touches

touching all it carries.

Flowing its way through history, people, evil as well as good

Endless

Eternal

Omniscient

Beginning at first glimmer of creation and continuing without a single pause

to Apocalypse

or to personal death.

……whichever comes first!

Animation of life unseen

Stirring in us inebriation misunderstood.

Now washed in red and become white,

Strengthened, sanctified, forever

through no fault of my own.

River of salvation, Amen!

 

                                                    Kathryn M. Cunningham

 

                                              http://www.atravelersview.org/

Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org

By Catholic Writing and Publishing