 Let the Earth RejoiceScripture, Prayers, and Poems for the More Abundant LifeRev. Joseph T. Nolan IntroductionFor many years I have rejoiced in a calling that allows one to speak of life, and love, and death, and relate them all to the mystery of God. For Christians all this begins with the One who is God's gift to us, Jesus Christ, and is helped by the gift both Father and Son promised, the Holy Spirit. In Christian worship we meet to break bread, as Jesus once did with sinners (and still does). We read the texts from his own people (the Hebrew scriptures) and from those faith communities who gave us the gospels. And there are letters from the incredible Paul, letters which pour out doctrines, snatches of hymns, prayers, and early sermons. Every Sunday we have prophets and poets, apostles and evangelists. All this, of course, is the Bible. Some parts are wonderfully easy to understand. Others are not; we need the help of learned and prayerful people. And of poets. It is no false humility to disclaim being a great poet--just read the great ones--but I wish to tell the Good News with imagination, and a sense of playfulness, and metaphors that help communication. Or really, communion--with truth, delight, goodness. These offerings seek to allow God's word entrance to the heart, and evoke a response not only in prayer but in life. Some of them are rather pointed, like the prophet Nathan saying, "You are the man." Or the woman. It is you whom God is addressing. Others have a wry humor, and there is humor in the gospel accounts. Think of Peter sinking below the surface of the water, or the woman at the well who just couldn't get the point, or the dismayed wine sellers of Cana, or the herdsmen of the swine who see their flock go over the cliff so this rabbi, known as Jesus, could make his point. Some have come out of trial, or pain, such as the final one, "A Woman Clothed with the Sun." I wanted to appropriate that apocalyptic passage, and anticipate the day when we join the company of the blessed, when each of us hopes to be clothed with the sun. It was written for those autumn years when God completes the work begun in each of us. Our time is so brief in terms of history, so glorious in the light of eternity, and so wonderful that it happened at all. My favorite of these poems is "Lord of Harmony, Let me Dance". I really do think that we are destined for joy, and should anticipate it now. A note on the title poem, "Prayer for the Planet". I used this to conclude an address at Norfolk, Virginia; it was a convocation of chaplains, theologians, and top naval brass to discuss the ethical issues of war, especially with our world-destroying weapons. Flying into Norfolk you pass over what looks like a steel forest. It is the Atlantic fleet, at anchor, ready. It is massed power, with highly trained and committed people. We have another kind of power, and Christ wishes us to use it to bring about the reign of God. Rev. Joseph T. Nolan Purchasing Information:Please send a check for $10 plus $2 shipping and handling (for each book ordered) with your book request to: Rev. Joseph T. Nolan Home | Books | Homilies | Links Last
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