Integrity

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Psalm 26 CLASSIC POEM: Integrity Ella Wheeler Wilcox Immortal life is something to be earned, By slow, self-conquest, comradeship with pain, And patient seeking after higher truths. We cannot follow our own wayward wills And feed our baser appetites and give Loose reins to foolish tempers, year on year, And then cry, ‘Lord, forgive me, I believe –‘ And straightway bathe in glory. Men must learn God’s system is too great a thing for that; The spark divine dwells in each soul, and we Can fan it to a steady flame of light, Whose lustre guilds the pathway of the tomb And shines on through eternity, or else Neglect it till it simmers down to death And leaves us but the darkness of the grave. Each conquered passion feeds the living flame; Each well-borne sorrow is a step toward God. Faith cannot rescue, and no blood redeem The soul that will not reason and resolve. Lean on thyself, yet prop thyself with prayer, For these are spirits, messengers of light, Who come at call and fortify thy strength, Make friends with thee and with thine inner self, Cast out all envy, bitterness, and hate. And keep the mind’s fair tabernacle pure; Shake hands with Pain, give greeting unto Grief, Those angels in disguise and thy glad soul, From light to light from star to shining star, Shall climb and claim blest immortality.’ *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Integrity Adrienne Rich SNIPPET: the quality of being complete; unbroken condition; entirety ~ Webster A wild patience has taken me this far as if I had to bring to shore a boat with a spasmodic outboard motor old sweaters, nets, spray-mottled books tossed in the prow … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]