Clearing away the clutter

Rev. Jeffrey Symynkywicz, March 14, 2010

The excess clutter about our souls
can hide its light
and smother it.

 Just as, from time to time,
we clear away, item by item,
the clutter in our basements,

attics, and closets,
so may we also learn to open up

and clear away
 the inner blockages that keep our selves bound
and small.

But the absurdity of doing this,

and going through all this trouble,
so that we can merely turn around
and do it all over again,

and accumulate more items to store
 for the next rainy day.

We don't liberate ourselves from bondage
to give ourselves over to the same oppressor
(or maybe one with slightly more exotic credentials).

We become living fires and sacred flames
only if we remember deeply
to forget our little selves
(which, paradoxically, are the only earthly selves we have
most of the time)
and turn and glorify the Creator
who gave us life,

by serving this magnificent Creation,
this Earth and its creatures,

and by helping to light
(as acolytes of the Holy One)
the living soul candles

of our brothers and sisters

all around us.

jbs
10/31/98          3/14/10

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