Opening

How did the rose

Ever open its heart

And give to this world

All its beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light

Against its being,

Otherwise,

We all remain

Too frightened.

                                           Hafiz

_________________________

Anyone out there afraid?

Afraid of failing

Afraid of bad things happening

Afraid of Muslims, or Christians

Afraid that the country will fall apart

Afraid that we are as power hunger as we seem

And as racist?

Anyone out there afraid?

To open their hearts

To open their minds

To God’s new thing

Anyone out there afraid

To take a risk?

Love the unlovable?

Ache for justice?

Mourn for the oppressed?

To say “I love you” first?

Afraid to be humble?

Afraid to turn the other cheek?

These are difficult things

These are “sacred” things

But they make us vulnerable

We might get hurt

Only radical trust in,

Radical connection to,

The Sacred

Will allow us to open ourselves to the wonder

Of love

Compassion

Generosity

Only the light of Sacred Presence

Will free us

to open our hearts

our minds

our hands

and give