To a laughing God

How did those priests ever get so serious

and preach all that gloom?

I don’t think God tickled them yet

Beloved – hurry

                             St. Teresa of Avila

_________________________________________

Ah

God

We seem to become such

dour creatures in your name

our faith

is somber because

we have loaded it down with so much

shame and guilt

we burden ourselves

and then all too freely

pass it on

pretending these afflictions are from You

and we erode the gift of your affection

remind us O Sacred One

of grace

and love

may each moment of sunilight

each bit of glistening snow

each cloud

each tree

each smile

lighten our hearts

and tickle our souls

and bring

holy

laughter

to our lips