The Communion of Saints by Henri Nouwen

We often limit the Church to the organisation of people who identify themselves clearly as its members. But the Church as all people belonging to Christ, as that body of witnesses who reveal the living Christ, reaches far beyond the boundaries of any human institution. As Jesus himself said: The Spirit “blows where it pleases” (John 3:8). The Spirit of Jesus can touch hearts wherever it wants; it is not restrained by any human limits.

There is a communion of saints witnessing to the risen Christ that reaches to the far ends of the world and even farther. It embraces people from long ago and far away. It is that immense community of men and women who through words and deeds have proclaimed and are proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus.

New Poem Published

My poem “It should be obvious” is in the Winter 2009 issue of Redheaded Stepchild, along with poems by Scott Owens and Debra Kaufman.  The cover art is by Pris Campbell.

Redheaded Stepchild is an online poetry magazine that publishes poems that have been rejected by other magazines.

Telling the Story of Jesus by Henri Nouwen

The Church is called to announce the Good News of Jesus to all people and all nations. Besides the many works of mercy by which the Church must make Jesus’ love visible, it must also joyfully announce the great mystery of God’s salvation through the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The story of Jesus is to be proclaimed and celebrated. Some will hear and rejoice, some will remain indifferent, some will become hostile. The story of Jesus will not always be accepted, but it must be told.

We who know the story and try to live it out, have the joyful task of telling it to others. When our words rise from hearts full of love and gratitude, they will bear fruit, whether we can see this or not.

Working on the Dead Mule

I’ve spent part of today working on the Dead Mule, mostly accepting poems.  The December and January issues are full.

I’m looking for poems for Black History Month (February) now.  If you have some, send them to the Mule or contact me, if you don’t know how.  Poems in the body of the e-mail work best. Don’t forget to include a Southern Legitimacy Satatement.

Today

Whew!!  Today has just been today.    I went to the bank with Bill.  I went shopping for Troy’s birthday.  I went to the grocery store.  I made beef and broccoli for supper.

Today I did not plan a poetry anything!

One More Reminder of Tonight’s Reading

Curtis Dunlap has posted a photo of me working and one of my favorite poems “Voices” (first published in The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature long before I joined the staff) to his “Poets and Poems”series on his blog, Blogging Along Tobacco Road.

He also reminds everyone that I’ll be reading and signing copies of Better With Friends at 7:30 pm today in Room 204 of the Z Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University.  Hope to see some of you there.

David Ford Interviews Me

David Ford interviews me at WFDD 88.5 FM.  Listen here.

On the Radio

I’ll be on WFDD radio tomorrow at 8:50 AM with David Ford.  Tune to 88.5 on your FM Dail.   See more here.

Who Are the Poor? by Henri Nouwen

The poor are the center of the Church. But who are the poor? At first we might think of people who are not like us: people who live in slums, people who go to soup kitchens, people who sleep on the streets, people in prisons, mental hospitals, and nursing homes. But the poor can be very close. They can be in our own families, churches or workplaces. Even closer, the poor can be ourselves, who feel unloved, rejected, ignored, or abused.

It is precisely when we see and experience poverty – whether far away, close by, or in our own hearts – that we need to become the Church; that is hold hands as brothers and sisters, confess our own brokenness and need, forgive one another, heal one another’s wounds, and gather around the table of Jesus for the breaking of the bread. Thus, as the poor we recognise Jesus, who became poor for us.

A New Book Review

I have a review of Collin Kelley’s novel Conquering Venus in A New Book Review.  Please visit and leave comments.