Richard Mallory

Like every day, this day
it is clear that only love
will save us. Not in the grandiose

abstract way, but in the alarmingly
specific way. As in forgiveness, now.
As in choosing to hold our own hand instead

of swinging back. As in taking
three deep breaths before saying
something we regret. Love saves us

from thirsting in the desert of our lives,
but only if we save it first by
choosing it, now in this moment

of angry words, now in this moment
of clenched thoughts, now in
this moment when we’d rather

taste venom, but instead, we
pour love into our cup and
bring it to our lips and drink

and drink and offer it to others until once again
only love makes sense,
only love refills the cup.
—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Dear Saint Philip’s Community,

Today’s gospel features stealthy Nicodemus daring to be associated with a highly questionable character named Jesus. He just can’t stop himself from seeking out someone who might damage his reputation if this meeting became public knowledge. Nicodemus ties himself up in knots with his literalism: “What, be born again? Climb back into the womb?”

The conversation leads to Jesus declaration on the nature of God whose love is as vast as the cosmos. It’s all about love. Love, love, love. John 3:16.

This verse has been twisted into support of penal substitutionary atonement as if sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of sinful humanity is required so that God can forgive. Hogwash. God has already been in the forgiveness business since Genesis 1:1.

The prophets picked up on this centuries before Jesus: “I require mercy. Not sacrifice.”

Today’s poem prompts us to live in that bountiful love as a power or an energy that guides and motivates. I especially like her comment on love that is “…not…abstract” but shows up when we “…hold our own hand instead of swinging back,” and in “…taking three deep breaths before saying something we regret.”

Love saves us from living in deprivation and emptiness but only when we choose it over and over again, resisting the impulse that allows “clenched thoughts” to inhabit mind and heart. If we want more love in our lives we hold our souls in care as we reject the tempting taste of venom. Retaliation and vengeance are replaced over and over by receiving the love that John 3:16 proclaims.

Your fellow traveler,

—Richard