Monday, May 12

By Danny A. Belrose of Independence, Missouri, USA

The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

—Isaiah 11:6 NRSV

(Editor’s note: One Sunday, Danny led a discussion on the difference between beliefs and faith. He shared his poem titled “Fault Line.”)

Beneath my iffy beliefs and fleeting hopes faith’s fault line never sleeps.

Rumbling here then there its troubled dance divides my head and heart—hiding, shifting, shaking, awakening questions posed and answers sought.

While dreams of feathered angels’ wings soar far beyond veracity in search of simple certitude stamped sure by childlike psalms and prayers that push the dark away.

Astride this deep divide, each foot a world apart, I fix my gaze on treasured times when wonder ruled my heart.

Sweet memories of mysteries of miracles and fantasies, of words and deeds and prophesies—where crumbs of bread and drops of wine cupped within Love’s healing hands spun promises of pearly gates, a never-land of joy and peace for lion, lamb, and child.

But comfort’s kiss of yesterday is fleeting and benign and sacredness cannot be bound by magic’s sleight of hand.

Foundations deeply shaken by probing of the mind have silenced songs of make-believe and stirred within my revelry the witness of eternity:

The Spirit breathes beyond our creeds, and Love is not a dream.

Stripped clean of measured litanies, of strained beliefs and fantasies, the mystic will not die.

Faith’s whispered invocation forever calls my name.

© Danny A. Belrose, 2011, used by permission

Prayer for Peace

Creator God, we study your word and build our beliefs. We breathe your Spirit and build our faith. Thank you for revealing Christ’s mission to us that we might respond.

Spiritual Practice: Breathing God’s Compassion

Light a candle and sit quietly, reflecting on the fire and light of God. Pay attention to your breathing and let it become calmer and deeper as you focus on God’s presence. Ask God to breathe in you. Imagine each breath carrying the light of God into your lungs, bloodstream, and every cell in your body until God’s Spirit fills you. Now imagine breathing out God’s compassion and grace each time you breathe out. Pray to have the Spirit of Christ radiate from your life like the gentle flame of a candle.

Peace Covenant

Today, God, I will discover where my faith leads me.