by Lori Negridge Allen

(Each taken from a Gospel for the day
 except for Saturday, when Paul
 serves as Gospel.)


Monday 

After he cursed the fig tree,
it withered away to its roots.
Faith can throw mountains into the sea.
After he cursed the fig tree
he told his disciples Trust in me, 
pray, walk the path, preach the truth.
After he cursed the fig tree
it withered away to its roots.


Tuesday

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies
it remains just a single grain.
Only the fallen and buried can rise.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies
it cannot grow and multiply
and it thirsts, although drowned in rain.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies
it remains just a single grain.


Wednesday

Walk while you have the light
so the darkness may not overtake you.
Believe in the light.
Walk while you have the light.
Become children of the light.
For a little longer, the light is with you.
Walk while you have the light
so the darkness may not overtake you.


Thursday

“Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
Each of the twelve cried, “Surely, not I?”
“As it was for the fig tree, it will be for the spy—
Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—
Take, eat, this is my body.”
He broke the bread, he passed the wine.
“Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
Each of the twelve cried, “Surely, not I?”


Friday

Where I am going, you cannot follow now,
but you will follow afterward,
with prayers and sighs too deep for words.
Where I am going, you cannot follow now,
yet though a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloe
are between us, I will not leave you orphaned.
Where I am going, you cannot follow now.
But you will follow afterward.


Saturday

To set the mind on the flesh is death.
Set the mind on the Spirit for life and peace.
Note where the sun rises, not where it sets.
To set the mind on the flesh is death.
Pray to Abba for hope. Not for breath,
but for mercy, forgiveness, release.
To set the mind on the flesh is death.
Set the mind on the Spirit for life and peace.

Lori Negridge Allen recently moved from a house overlooking a stream flowing into a small lake to a condo overlooking a river flowing into a sound. Most days find her walking the beach, wondering at tides.