REFLECTIONS: JEREMIAH 15:16 – Part II
By Msgr. Bernard Powers
Devoured Word
Loving Spirit of God,
You continually invite me to
the Table of the Word.
It is an invitation
to eat frequently..
As the stream can never run dry,
neither is your word
completely consumed by the eating.
It was You, O Lord, who made your words a banquet,
words giving life and spirit.
It was You, O Lord, who gave fruit and fruitfulness to your word.
He who hears my words
and keeps them is my mother
and my sister and my brother.
How important is the searching;
How necessary is the finding;
How essential is the devouring.
Should we not search for your word?
Should we not devour them when found ?
They are life giving.
As the tree absorbs the rain
and takes the nutrients from the soil,
so does my soul take nourishment from your word.
There is life and refreshment within.
Loving God,
as I devour your word
my faith grows…
charity blooms…
and hope soars.
There is union.
My spirit is refined
and there is courage and perseverance.
I can walk the journey of the day.
Yea, even more,
your word sustains me;
I walk into the night.
What a banquet!
Amen
Sometimes the Word
Sometimes the word
is like a delicate wine,
an elegant sip is a delight
and a pleasure to the palate.
Let me find this word.
Sometimes the word
is like a fresh, ripe peach,
delicious in taste,
rich with the ray of the sun.
Let me find this word.
Sometimes the word
is like a piece of jerky,
cold, salty, tough, hard
demanding.
Let me find this word.
Sometimes the word
is like salted peanuts,
one leads to another, two wants more.
One is not enough, and a handful is not sufficient.
Let me find this word.
Sometimes the word
is like a glass of water,
refreshing, cooling, life-giving,
quenching the thirst.
One is alive.
Let me find this word.
Amen