I wish I liked to read, because if I did I would probably be a bigger Wendell Berry fan than I am. I was at an event last year and had a chance to hear Mr. Berry interviewed about his life’s work, about family farms, Kentucky, and his faith. He also read a couple of his poems. I stood next to the back wall with dozens of others that ringed a room that sat 700. It was a remarkable 90 minutes of stories, plain spoken words about greed, what America has become, and redemptive work to do on behalf of the human family and creation. Here is a snippet of an article from grist.org that gives you a glimpse into the thought of this talented author and faithful servant.
Faith and Fears in Wendell Berry’s Kentucky
By Darby Minow Smith | Oct 20, 2014 | Grist.com
Berry’s mind is one of the most famous and respected in environmentalism. The farming poet has been writing since the ’60s, and has more than 50 books to his name. His timeless tomes show a deep love of nature and rich understanding of the power of community. Described as the “modern-day Thoreau,” Berry holds up the simple, good things in the world while decrying the forces of greed and globalization that sully them. The man knows how to pack a punch in just a few words: “There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.’’
Click here to read more.
Centering . . .
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love theLord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead,and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. [Deut 6:4-9, NRSV]
Another Autumn Poem
The leaves are crisp
The air is fresh
The smell of chimney smoke is in the air
It ain’t too hot nor too cold
Perhaps a swell time to worship the unseen
[Greg Kelley, DayBook for New Voices, Maren C Tirabassi and Maria Tirabassi. (The Pilgrim Press, 2004).]
God’s things . . .
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s. ”When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. (Matt 22:15-22, NRSV)
What are God’s things?
“. . . it does raise the provocative and still relevant question: What belongs to God, and what belongs to Caesar? And what if Caesar is Hitler, or apartheid, or communism, or global capitalism? What is to be the attitude of Christians toward domination systems, whether ancient or modern?”
a response to Ps 25 as a prayer,
Teach me how to live,
Lord, show me the way.
Steer me toward your Truth,
you my saving God.
God’s ways are faithful love
for those who keep the covenant.
God confides in you
to show what covenant means.
[Thankful Praise, CBP, 1987]
Be well and be centered.