Liturgy 43: People Tried to Bribe Me

🕊️ A Prayer and a Blessing for Planting Sequoias

📖 Lectio Divina

Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.

As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

— Psalm 17:4-5

So, friends, every day do something
that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.

— Wendell Berry

🙏 Prayer

Wendell told me to plant Sequoias
Things that will outlive
the pursuit of an annual raise

What peace of mind
to close my eyes
after a day full
of serving strangers
cheating no one.

My feet are steady
in short term losses
my sobriety sound
in short term gains

Because
I’m planting sequoias

Did you think this was about me?

I’m doing all things
with ruthless integrity;
my daughters’ names are
attached to everything I do;
so are their eyes
and their imaginative mind
of a life well lived

No shortcuts for me
Only that strange and narrow
Ark building labor
long before and after
the 40 day storms

My reward and vindication
is seeing your face
in every crevice of
an otherwise
meaningless life

🕊️ Blessing

May you resist the temptation to short circuit the way of God.
May you not walk in the way of compromise and scarcity.
May you abundantly give yourself to walking in the light.
May you give your life to what will outlast you.
May your ambition be holiness and joy.
May the Father Son and Holy Spirit be your reward.

Amen