A Lenten Meditation

Rev. Jeffrey Symynkywicz, March 7, 2004

The little sacrifices we make
are doorways
into the open universe of vision
we seek.

By giving up some small
and petty part
of ourselves, we widen our arc
more magnificently than we imagine possible.

By losing, we gain.
In defeat, we reign.
Responsibility is the greater call
of Freedom, without which
freedom falters;
and then, we’ll never know
the deeper purpose of these lives we lead.

We are saved by those things
we cannot have:
the door gently closed; the gate
locked against us as we approach;
the limitless, wild passions
that well might have killed us
left unchecked.

And if life without danger
seems drear at times
and maybe more than a little boring,
at least we know the genuine power of sacrifice—
a prize not to be fled from, but embraced,
and then let go, transformed
in the glorious morning hour
of the Easter of New Life
and bliss.

jbs
2/6/03 - 3/7/04

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