Two Trees

Two Trees

(Inspired by Genesis 3:1-24)

Once upon a time there was a garden.
Eden was its given name.

In that garden were two trees.

One of life the other of shame.

Into that perfect place
God set humanity to live
A start for the human race,

Which had so much to give.

And in that garden glorious,
The Deceiver reared his head
And urged the woman to a deed notorious,
And Eden soon was dead.

From the tree of shame she chose to eat,

A fruit so pretty with skin so fair.

She offered to the man this treat,

And we are descended from this pair.

They ate the tree of woe you see,

And a life full of sin

Became the norm for you and me,

Until the day Christ enters in.

For on that day so special so rare,

The tree of life is seen anew.

On Good Friday it was raised into the air,

And on it our Lord died for me and you!







© A. O’Dowd 2/25/02

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A Mothers Day Gift

For Mom

For all the things you do,
This day was made for you.

For all the ways you show care,
For simply always being there,
This day was made for you.

For washing off of dirt
For stopping all of the hurt,
This day was made for you.

For all the meals you cooked,
For the extra time you took,
This day was made for you.

For patching up the scrapes
For washing all those dirty plates
This day was made for you.

For patching up my clothes
For wiping my nose,
This day was made for you.

For doing the hardest work ever,
For giving up… never,
This day was made for you.

For Christmas and birthdays,
For being there always,
This day was made for you.

For refereeing fights
For listening for coughs in the night,
This day was made for you.
Thanks Mom.
© William E. (Ed) Griffith, Jr. May 5, 2002

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A Meditation on Capital Punishment

A Meditation on Capital Punishment

June 11, 2001

I heard it on the news today,
Listen, o listen, to what they say,
The killing of one man, named McVeigh,
Occurred to wash the hurt and pain away.

I wonder Lord how can it be,
That this death can set the families’ free?
Can it make up for the loss that they all share,
Can it correct the wrongs in a world that’s so unfair?

Was it justice that truly the crowd seeks?
Or perhaps it is the nation’s revenge from which this reeks?
In any case I do not know,
Which way my Lord, you would see it go.

If this is right then someone please tell me,
Why it calls to mind my Savior hanging from a tree?
For the sins of all He lived and so He died.
And before our God, through Him we are justified.

I heard them say on the news today,
How “We the people” executed Tim McVeigh.
And I don’t feel like it’s been an ‘eye for an eye.’
I just find myself sitting and asking “Why, Lord, why?”

© A. O’Dowd 6/11/01
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Is It Just Me?

A Poetic Reflection on Deuteronomy 8:11-20; James 1:16-27; Luke 11:1-13

Is It Just Me?
Is it just me Lord, or is a point being missed?
Is it just me Lord, or is your Name being dissed?
It is just me Lord, or has your Word disappeared?
Is it just me Lord, or is God no longer feared?

I know it’s not you Lord, for salvation only from you can come.
I know it’s not you Lord, when the world forgets your only begotten Son.
I know it’s not you Lord, for you are always the same.
I know it’s not you Lord, “I Am” is your revealed name.

But may it be us Lord, who proclaim you way out loud!
But may it be us Lord, who stand for you, apart from the crowd!
But may it be us Lord, who live as your Son lived!
But may it be us Lord, who love as you have loved!

May it be with us as with Christ
The one and only perfect sacrifice.
May it be for us to show to the world
The way of those, whom your kingdom herald.
May it be with us, your will be done,
Until again Lord Jesus comes. Amen

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© Andrew O’Dowd, May 22, 2001

Advent

A Meditation on Revelation 19:11-21 and Joel 2:12-19

On a horse of white
Wearing a robe of red
Comes the Word of God
Causing His foes to dread

Faithful and True this rider is called
He is King of Kings
And with his mighty sword
God's wrath he brings.

So listen you children
Of God Almighty on high
Prepare yourself
Your Lord's coming is nigh.

Do not dare to dally
For at the altar we rally
And come from North, South, West, and East
And pray that with God we can make peace.

Rend your hearts with remorse
Pray God will change from wrath's course
Seek the mercy and grace
That await those of true faith

And at our world's end
We'll all be together again
One nation, one world
One people, one Lord. Amen.
© A. O’Dowd 11/15/2002