Pentecost 12B/Proper 14 (John 6:35, 41-51)

The presence of God within is hidden from the eyes that thirst and hunger only for the extraordinary in spiritual life. The breath of God is hidden in our breath. This is the case for those who have known Jesus for a while as the son of Joseph and Mary, or the one who is so ordinary. They cannot accept and apply themselves to the good news of Jesus. They need the eyes of a poet who gazes deeper with a long, loving look. With the breath of God, they shall all be taught by God (John 6:45).

Here’s the poem to reflect with the gospel lesson: 

A Loaf of Poetry by Naoshi Koriyama

you mix
the dough
of experience
with
the yeast
of inspiration
and knead it well
with love
and pound it
with all your might
and then
leave it
until
it puffs out big
with its own inner force
and then
knead it again
and
shape it
into a round form
and bake it
in the oven
of your heart