May 7th

“For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,” 1st John 5:3

it’s not a thick volume with
thousands of regulations
nor a suitcase crammed full
of guilt wrinkled and frayed.
it’s adding a pinch of salt
to the stew simmering on the stove,
it’s turning off the light
letting our loved one doze on the couch,
it’s weeding the neighbor’s yard
while they are away at graduation.
it is not so much a boulder on our back
as it is a butterfly in our soul.
it is not so much an order
but more like a whisper,
come sit a spell, let’s take a walk,
listening to the same silly joke
the little kid tells every time
we see them in the yard.
you see,
love just doesn’t weigh
as much as we tell
ourselves that it does.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

May 6th

“Come and see what God has done:
   He is awesome in his deeds among mortals.” Psalm 66:5

come,
with eyes wide open,
ears attuned,
souls stirring.
come and see,
not booming distant fireworks
but the quiet voice of a mother,
not breaking news
but bread slathered with jam,
not arrogant celebrities
but neighbors mopping up after floods.
come and see what God has done,
the welcome mat with everyone’s
name and picture on it,
gently massaged aches
by unseen yet always near hands,
sorrow rewritten as soft lullabies.
come and see
but stay long enough
to see joy renovate the
homes where weariness once lived,
and hear grace tell stories
which sparkle like fireflies.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

May 5th

"The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful;
he rescues them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 97:10

on a bookmark, in a hymn,
it seems so simple:
love God, hate evil.
but on Monday,
when evil stalks us in cynicism,
or chills our hearts with indifference,
we realize it never wears a nametag
or feels no need to identify itself.
O God,
of course, we want to love you,
to not jump on cruelty’s bandwagon
or follow the pied pipers of anger,
or remain silent when injustice
sits down next to us wherever we are.
so, like a mother staring out the window
as kids head off to school, watch over us.
let us not become so weary
we forget to share simple grace
with those with complicated needs.
wrap us in the shawl of hope
which warms us with the promise
that even as the shadows of fear
spread across our times,
your light never dims,
your love never gives up.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

May 4th

"Be hospitable to one another without complaining." 1st Peter 4:9

easy peasy – opening the door
with a smile plastered on our face
practiced words sliding out of our mouths.
but, cracking open the heart
without our questions slipping out,
without holding the spreadsheet
reflecting moments wasted,
meals missed, angry conversations.
yet
hospitality is not about
perfection, but about presence.
It is not about table arrangements
but the souls of those sitting around the table.
when we offer ourselves, no string attached,
when we move over to make room,
when we let the forgotten
be the guests of honor –
that’s the gift, that’s the heart,
that’s the grace we offer
every time we hold open the door
welcoming in everyone we can,
hoping that no one notices
the stray crumb of grumbling
we didn’t sweep up before
everyone arrived.

(c) 2025 Thom M. human

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

May 3rd

“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.” 1st John 3:16

i know love,
from the soft breath of my mother
while she read to me,
to the way friends do not
hold back in caring for me,
and in the life which is shared
with me by my soul mate.
i know how i want to keep
it locked away in my heart
like a miser putting funds
in a massive safe.
so may i dare not only
to speak the words,
but to spend love
extravagantly, even unwisely,
on those i am told
are not to be valued,
to turn towards them
so i can see their needs,
to lay down what many might
say is the most important
thing i will ever have,
but is simply a small piece
of who i am.
after all,
i know love because
you did not keep yours safe
but gave it away
for all your siblings.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

May 2nd

"Why should I fear in times of trouble,
   when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
those who trust in their wealth
   and boast of the abundance of their riches?" Psalm 49:5-6

they want us to be afraid,

don't they, God?

as they stack their crypto currency,

as tariffs draw closer like storm clouds,

as they polish their arrogance

so it will gleam in the bright lights

of their narcissism.

they want us to be afraid,

don't they, God?

so remind us,

that a sunbeam comes

free of charge, and blue skies

come direct from your palette.

remind us that you are

the meadow in which 

we can run barefoot,

you are the windbreak

when fears rush toward us,

you are the gardener 

who rakes up their words

like autumn leaves, so

we can run and jump 

on the pile, crunching them

into dry dust clinging to our clothes

which we will wash off

in your living waters.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

May 1st

"Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you." 1 John 2:24a

when we think

abide

means sitting in our

easy chairs of apathy, 

letting grace gather dust

out of disuse,

putting compassion

back in the box 

and on the shelf 

in the closet,

agreeing on that 

antiquated notion that

justice is a luxury for

the few, the privileged,

tip us out of our 

chairs, waking us from

our drowsy disinterest,

and leading us out 

into a world desperate

for those who actually

give a damn about 

others.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 30th

"'I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.'" John 17:26

the grace to love

the ones marginalized

by the privileged -may 

we not hoard it.

the words of healing

for all wounded by hate -

may we speak them.
the arms to wrap around

all too weary to take

even one more step -

may we offer them.
the courage to stand

in the corridors of power

to witness for justice -

may we embrace it. 
the stamina to persist

against all the odds,

all the vitriol, all the misuse

of laws, remedies, and options - 

may we find it.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 29th

"In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him." Daniel 2:1

when the sheep we are counting

as we slowly dissolve into sleep

suddenly turn into dementors

trying to suck out our souls,

and we suddenly soak the sheets

with our night sweats, you pick us 

up and set us in a chair, while

you calmly put on fresh bedding.

when those fears we thought

we had tossed in the hamper

suddenly start bouncing 

on the bed waking us up as

they sing and dance and cheer,

you take us up in your arms,

carrying us to your own bed,

where we can nestle under

the soft duvet, slowly drifting

off to sleep as you sing those

lullabies of grace and love

we learned so long ago.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 28th

"Fire goes before him, and consumes
    his adversaries on every side." Psalm 97:3

yes! at last!

answer our prayers and

send down those lightning bolts

turning the cruel into crispy critters,

those balls of fire burning

away the chaff,

that backdraft that will explode

and consume all the knuckleheads.

but, maybe, 

when we take a deep breath

and set aside our fiery anger,

simply plant that spark 

of humanity back in our souls,

make our hearts burn with

justice for the forgotten,

set a match to those dried

branches of our faith which

have withered from your vine,

so that like a phoenix,

we might rise and see our enemies

as those who are more like us

than we dare admit, as we all

keep getting in the way

of your loving and gracious

hopes for your children.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 27th

"'And you know the way to the place where I am going'.” John 14:4

if we want to discover 

the way to that place 

we long to reach

at the end of our 

pilgrimage in life,

we need only to look for

the vulnerable and the victims,

the immigrants and the prisoners,

the poor and those we turn into 

scapegoats for all our fears,

for they are the ones Jesus

chooses to share the map.

and so, there they were

as they always are,

on the steps of 

Saint Mary Major, 

waiting to welcome their

beloved friend as he 

continued his pilgrimage

to the place where he had

been heading toward 

all of his life.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 26th

"For you have been a refuge
   to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in
  their distress,
a shelter from the  
   rainstorm and a shade
   from the heat."  Isaiah 25:4

for those threatened

by a rip tide of evil

may we be the lifeguards

who grab their hands 

pulling them to safety.

for all caught in the 

daily, drenching downpour

of hateful and angry words,

may our compassion

be umbrellas wide enough

to shelter them.

for everyone baking in

the sweltering heat of

oppression and cruelty,

may our hearts for justice

offer the cool respite 

they need, so that together

we may create communities

of kindness and tolerance.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 25th

"But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?'" John 16:5

some would call them

clues, others bread crumbs,

but if we tap into stories

about folks who now see

enemies as neighbors or

parents who put aside 

their hurt to embrace a child,

if we dip into our memories

of your encounter with

the excluded about a sick child

or the conversation you had

at a well in the heat of midday,

if we replay those flickering

videos of you calling out

your dear friend from the grave

or all those dinners you had

with those we offer closed hearts,

we might catch on to the truth

that your journey's end is

precisely where you are 

leading all of us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 24th

"He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, you know.’” Ezekiel 37:2-3

these muscles which
are twisted by weariness,
can the knots be untied
by the fingers of grace?
these tendons which are
stretched beyond tautness
trying to push our fears away,
can they find some relief
in the gentle massage of compassion?
these bones, brittle and threatening
to splinter into shards which
might puncture my soul,
can they be strengthened
by hope?
these lives which seem
to be pulled apart by those
seductive songs of hate,
can they become a community
again, by your justice?
if you know, God,
could you stop being
so close-mouthed about it?

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 23rd

"As in the days when you
   came out of the land of Egypt,
show us marvelous things." Micah 7:15

in the patience 

of the teacher as a kid

chews on a pencil

trying to solve a math problem,
in the father who 

steps aside as his 

daughter learns to put

the spare tire on the car.

in the people whose voices

calling for justice, hope,

inclusion, and grace 

will not be silenced.

in the politician who puts

integrity over blind adherence

to party or leadership,

your marvels dance

all around us 

each and every moment.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 22nd

"And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21

we sit at the Five Corners

where Foolishness Avenue,

Rocky Road, Via Dolorosa,

Bad News Boulevard, and

the Way to Hope all come together

and our internal GPS keeps 

whispering, 'recalculating, recalculating.'

we ease into the traffic circle

with others who look as confused

as we are, only to find

there are no clear exits.

we stand on the corner

tapping our feet

for the signal to change 

to 'walk' but it never does.

so, you go to the engineer's

office, grab all the plans

and put them in the shredder,

telling everyone, 'folks, you 

need to stop overcomplicating

that simple path of grace

i shared with you 

from the very beginning.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

April 21st

“I called to the LORD out of my distress, 

   and he answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
   and you heard my voice." Jonah 2:2

i was sitting in the

gutter with an empty bottle

at my feet and while 

the clergy rushed by 

on the way to a meeting

you sat down and, in the silence,

listened to my broken heart.

they told me if i kept 

up all the foolish choices

i was making, i would slide

so far down that they would

never be able to help me,

but when i got there, you

were waiting, having

heard those cries i thought

echoed only in my imagination,

and taking me by the hand,

we began the long journey

out of the shadows of despair

you know far better than

we give you credit.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Easter

“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:31

we don’t see you at first —
sorrow fogging out lenses
grief turning sacred moments
into just another dusty road
meeting another stranger
who doesn’t look much like hope.
but you stick with us,
not speaking in a God voice
or transformed on a mountaintop.
but simply by breaking bread,
our hearts suddenly dare
to beat again,
as the crust splits and
the crumbs kiss the table,
and suddenly,
not because we solved the mystery
not because of a sudden burst of faith,
but because grace
always manages to pick
the locks on disappointment’s locked doors,
pulling up a chair
right in the middle of life
and gobsmacking us
right in our eyes.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Holy Saturday

 “So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.” Matthew 27:59-60

our hearts ripped
apart like the veil
in the Temple,
the bitter wind
loneliness
rattling our windows,
we huddle in the shadows
of the corners, cradling
our grief.
meanwhile
in a deserted upper room,
Spirit
plays a dirge
on her trombone,
God sits at
the cigarette-scarred
upright composing
a tune that will
stun the universe
and behind a stone door,
the Word scribbles
new lyrics
for the angelic choir.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Holy Friday

"When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

in the emptying
of your heart,
we taste
your bitter
grief.

in the silencing
of your voice,
we hear
your cry of
abandonment.

in the shattering
of your soul,
we feel
our brokenness
being made
whole.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Holy Thursday

"Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him." John 13:5

the basin is filled

drip by drip

with the tears 

of those whose loved

ones have been disappeared

and the teenager who 

was not being sought but

the heard the words 'take him anyway.'

it is filled 

drop by drop

with the sweat of all

working double shifts

to pay for burdening medical bills

while private equity firms 

make millions buying practices.

it cradles the sips of juice

held to the chapped lips

of folks sleeping rough 

on park benches and 

trans people we refuse

to accept as our siblings.

then you dip your hands

in to bathe away all

the apathy, the prejudices,

heartless dust on our hearts

so we can follow you 

as you hope we will.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Holy Wednesday

"The Lord GOD has given me
   the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
   the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens —
   wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught."  Isaiah 50:4

sorry, dear prophet,

i have had more than enough

of words,

those lengthy posts, memes,

reels, and podcasts

'splaining in such excruciating detail

what's wrong with the world, and me,

that my mouse has pulled a hammy.

so, today and tomorrow and forever,

teach me to listen to the lonely 

silence whispered by the forgotten,

to open my heart to those

who are afraid that if they say 

what they truly feel that 

they will be ostracized 

by those who preach community,

to hear the shutters being

pulled in tight in another's soul,

weary of all those who are

convinced they are so right,

they cannot admit how much

they still need to listen.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Holy Tuesday

“Turn to me and be gracious to
    me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.” Psalm 25:16

you sit alone at the table

in the lunchroom, 

your half-eaten sandwich

your closest friend, but

we are too busy sharing

our spring break adventures

to even notice who you are.

you sit on a chair next

to the wall as the band 

begins to play another song,

running your hand over 

your brand new dress, hoping

no one will notice the tears

dripping into a pool of loneliness.

you stand on the
corner, a hand-written
sign “will work for inclusion”
trembling in your hand,
but in a rush to get 

the last bags of candy

for Easter, we let our eyes

simply slide over you 

as if you were invisible.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Holy Monday

"Turn, O Lord, save my life;
deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.” Psalm 6:4

you walk patiently, gently,
almost expectantly towards
Jerusalem
while we wonder:
do we have the courage
to keep pace with you,
when you take your last breath
will you remember us,
will the grave cradle those
songs of hope and justice
which you sang to us so often?
we don’t know (though we
dare to think we do), but
we cannot imagine being
more frightened than we are now,
being assailed by words of anger,
fear marching lockstep with hate,
children crying themselves to sleep,
families huddling in the back rooms
of their homes worried about
knocks on the door at any moment.
so come, and cradle us
in your arms of love, holding us
so close to your heart
we can hear every beat of hope.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Palm Sunday evening

"I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; 

   I have become like a broken vessel." Psalm 31:9

it would be so easy

to put you out of 

our minds now.

to toss the palm branches

into the bin at the curb,

dust off our coats,

be distracted by the celebrities

heading into space or

the roller coaster our 

retirement funds seem to be on,

to make the rest of this week

as unholy a mess as we can

because,

(spoiler alert)

we know the end of the

story (and have known,

for a very long time).

so may we join with those

who simply, by attending worship,

re-reading the story,

caring for the vulnerable,

and trusting in you,

refuse to put you out of mind,

and thus prove 

the psalmist wrong.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Sixth Sunday in Lent/Palm Sunday

"The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them." Matthew 21:14

some are
but children,
hopping from one
foot to the next,
the flow of the
parade
carrying them in
its excitement
like a stick
down a river.
some are
the ignored and
the outcast,
hoping from one
moment to the next,
that maybe this time,
this one, will carry
them in his compassion.
some are
palm wavers,
hinting from one
shout to the next,
their longings for freedom
carried deep within
their souls.
some are
passionate doubters,
hauling their fears
from one
pocket to the next,
making room
for the nails
handed out by
the leaders;

all are
simply
us.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Sixth Saturday in Lent

"Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause

    against an ungodly people;
from those who are deceitful and unjust
    deliver me!" Psalm 43:1

is justice waiting 

to be discharged from

active duty, or for us

to get to work?

is empathy longing

to be cleared of all charges

of being a common criminal,

or for us to be arrested as well?

is truth expecting to be verified

by our appearance as witnesses

or will we keep posting 

worthless memes?

is hope resigned to living

locked away

in our souls and hearts,

or praying that we will

unlock the doors and 

throw away the keys?

is grace sitting in that

cell to which it has 

been deported by the

Intolerant Cabal of Egoists

or wondering when we will

show up to post bail?

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Sixth Friday in Lent

"Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." John 12:3

you kneel to caress

the feet which will 

carry us as fast and

far from you as we can

when you decide 

to do what we keep

warning you to avoid.

you waste

yourself
on us, even though

the world whispers

how worthless we 

will prove to be.
you gather your tears

in your heart where,

mixed with unconditional

love, they turn into

a perfume which fills

our souls with the

fragrant aroma of grace.
you will pour out

your precious love
upon us, so we are

anointed for that morning

resurrection which awaits 

us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Sixth Thursday in Lent

“So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’" John 10:24

when it seems
life is like
a murder mystery
with so many twists
and too many characters
to keep track
of, you come
underlining grace
every time it appears
in our story.

when we close
our eyes tight,
not wanting to
witness the horrific
scenes on the screen
at the World's
reality cinema, you come
and sit next to us,
taking our hand,
whispering,
‘don't be scared;
i know how this
ends.’

when we stumble
in the shadows,
groping along
the rough walls
of anxiety's alley,
our fingertips
raw and bloody
from trying to
find our way
unaided, you come
using the Spirit's peace
to illumine our way
home.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Wednesday in Lent

"'All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.'" John 10:8

we would let
the hinges rust
so the noise
would alert us
when the outsiders
try to sneak in,
but you oil the
gate
so they can
simply be welcomed.
we slam the
gate shut, as tight
(and loudly) as possible
to make our point,
yet keep finding
it open every time
you go in and out.
the despots
would keep us
confined (for our own
protection, of course)
behind their walls
made of dry fears,
but you take out your
picks, jiggling the tumblers
until they fall into place,
so we can slip through the
gate
following you into
the pastures of grace.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Tuesday in Lent

"You will not fear the terror
   of the night,
or the arrow that flies by
   day,
or the pestilence that stalks
   in darkness,
or the destruction that
   wastes at noonday. '   Psalm 91:5-6

the doctor's visit
i dread,
that sweaty-palmed
first date.
the qualms
that turn lunch
into acid,
the redundancy
that obliterates
my dreams.
the pandemic
of fear
that tap dances
down the hall
toward my room
at night.
take your best shot,
everybody -
God has
my back
my front
my side
my life.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Monday in Lent

"'As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'" John 9:5

gathering up the dust
of our broken dreams,
you mix it with living water
to dab our eyes shuttered
by our worries and fears,
so we might see you with us.
walking in what seem to be
ever deepening shadows
of anger, hate, and resentment
by those who would damage
the most vulnerable around us,
you hand out candles for us
to carry as we journey with
our siblings in our neighborhoods.
when we feel ourselves trapped
in that murkiness holding
the end of everything we hold dear,
we feel you reach out
for our hands, as you whisper,
‘it’s okay. i know the way out.’

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Sunday in Lent

"For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so I might win more of them." 1 Corinthians 9:19

free
to have my
way,
free to bullydoze
others
out of the way,
free
to tell others
to hang tough
while my life
is so much easier,
free to
choose
all the amazons
offering a rich array
of seductions
to me,
may i willingly
prefer
to serve your

people.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Saturday in Lent

"Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.'" John 6:68

word of hope,

walk with us in

these uncomfortable

and fraught with fear days.

word of grace,

when we would rather

stay under the covers

send us out to be you

to those who are lonely.

word of justice,

challenge us not

to remain silent but

to drown out the voices

of hate and anger 

with passionate protests.

word of life,
come to us

so we may hear
your breaking heart,
then let us
go with you
to the death
which awaits you
even as you wait

to embrace us 

beyond our death.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Friday in Lent

"I will tell of your name to my
   brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the
   congregation I will praise you:"  Psalm 22:22

all the parties
i no longer
get invited to,
all the kids
standing in front
of their lockers
snickering at me.
all the teachers who whisper,
'he had such potential,
what happened?'
it's as if i have
a 'kick me'
sign
on my back.
if i mention
your name,
people fall down
laughing.
if i don't,
another hole
burns in my soul.
like fawkes,
i dissolve
into ashes, yet
come back
again and again.
your words
keep spilling
out of my
mouth,
no matter
how hard i try
to put padlocks
and chains
around them.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fifth Thursday in Lent

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now;" Romans 8:22

resistant
to directions,
we are pretty
sure
we don't need
to be shown the
way out
of our shadows.
we tap our
pencil
against our
teeth, eager
for the test
to be over so
we can
get to the
fun part
of life.
groaning
under our breath,
nervously drumming
our fingers on the
wheel, we
try to change
the signal by
sheer
concentration.
give us
the
patience
to wait for
your hope
to come,
just around the
corner
of our faith.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Wednesday in Lent

"The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him." Jeremiah 18:4

the fingers
that unfolded
butterflies' wings
and waved goodbye
to them
now smooth
the wrinkles
of our souls.
those hands
callused by
shaping craggy
mountains
now gently
caress us into
being.
that breath
which melted
glaciers
into blue-green
oceans
now fills
our lungs
with life
as you
craft us
into earthenware
vessels
to hold
the dreams
of others.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Tuesday in Lent

"But he said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.'” John 6:20

fear

comes as a spider

weaving its threads

of conspiracies and lies

into a web just waiting 

to snare us while it slowly

creeps toward us to suck

all our humanity out of us.

fear

sounds like those ancient sirens 

sitting just on the

edge of our journey 

through these difficult times,

singing sweet, alluring songs

hoping to lure us from 

staying the course towards

compassion, justice, and hope.

fear

is a decaying past

we are told we need

to keep alive at all costs,

no matter how damaging

it was to so many people.

so, 

may we take you deep

into our hearts and souls

that we might not trust fear

more than we trust you.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Monday in Lent

"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" John 6:9

the half-empty
bottle
of water
we toss into
the waste can
at work.
the ends
of the
bread
we let turn
moldy in
the fridge.
the veggies
we leave
on our plate
at the restaurant,
so we have room
for dessert.
the compassion
we toss
into the coin
jar on top
of our dresser
at the end
of the day.
our simple gifts
could make
such a feast
of
hope,
healing, and
grace
for others if
we would only
put them in your
hands.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Sunday in Lent

And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out -- beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." Mark 8:15

may the warmth
of your living waters
be just
what those the
world leaves out
in the cold
need.

may the saltiness
of your tears
bring
healing to
the wounds
of those
pierced by
hatred.

may the gentleness
of your touch
knead the sore
muscles
of those whose
backs are
stiffened by
12-hour shifts
in oncology
units.
may the yeast
of your justice
enable us
to rise and
feed the
hungry outcasts
all around us.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Saturday in Lent

"Teach me to do your will,
   for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me
   on a level path." Psalm 143:10

i could
tail temptation
down the
blind alleys
of its
maze.
i could
follow the
pride piper
until
caught in
that trap
i would never
escape.
i could
let death
coach me
on every
wrinkle
in its
playbook.
or
i could let
you
guide me
into grace.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Friday in Lent

 "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"   Romans 6:3

baptized
with you,
we swim in the
warm waters of
joy, racing
you to see
who gets to
the far shore
first.
buried
with you,
we are planted
in grace's rich
soil,
nourished by
the Spirit so
we might stretch
toward glory's
morning.
united
with you,
we hold hands
with the rest
of your siblings,
crossing death's
busy road
into the
kingdom.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Fourth Thursday in Lent

"One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

walking in the
fog, hoping
i will not
stumble
along the way.
lying in the
brightness
of the full
moon
shining through
the bedroom window.
watching the
mist slowly
drift along
the curving
surface
of the river.
turning over the
soil,
preparing it to
welcome the
seeds
brooding with
lettuce,
tomatoes,
flowers,
carrots.
sitting in the
silence
of the backyard,
as my thoughts
slowly
drift
towards you.
i find myself
finally
at home.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Wednesday in Lent

”But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

it is while we are tripping
over our foolish choices
that God picks us up.
it is while we are caught
in the riptide of fear
that God jumps in to save us.
it is while we are about
to be waltzed away in
sin’s seductive arms
that God cuts in.
it is while we are ready
to believe the fake news
offered to us by death
that God breaks in
with the Word of life
let’s stop trying
to turn it into rocket science.
it is simply love,
and that is more
than enough.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Tuesday in Lent

“As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38

when we are tempted
to caulk all the cracks
in our hearts so that
nothing might leak out.
when we turn the faucets
tighter and tighter until
there is only a drip
every few hours.
when we go online
to figure out how to
reroute the pipes so
it just flows in a continual
circle.
when we fill our tubs
and every available pot
because someone warns
that pollution might be a danger,
remind us
of all those as parched
for the waters which
offer life
as we once were.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Monday in Lent

“Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah, you that enter these gates to worship the LORD. Jeremiah 7:2

with you, Lord,
let us stand in
the halls of power,
declaring that justice
remains the right
of every person and
truth will not be filibustered
out of our society
with you, Lord,
let us stand at
the entrances of schools,
welcoming each child
for who they are
as your precious children,
teaching them of the rich
variety of cultures, of histories,
of traditions which make
us a community for all.
with you, Lord,
let us stand with
all of whom the haters
and the mockers write
words which would declare
them to be less than equal,
to have no standing or value,
to be persona non grata
because they declare to be
empathetic, welcoming, gracious.
with you, Lord,

let us stand.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Sunday in Lent

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

when anger
longs to
lead me around
by the nose,
let me smell the
warm, yeasty
aroma of
your grace.
when judgment
wants to have
the upper hand,
let me walk
in the faltering
footsteps
of my foolish
friends.
when i am
convinced i
should be the
concertmaster
in the kingdom's
symphony,
let me gladly
take the last seat
in the row
of piccolos.
when my desires
want to run
this show called
life,
let me simply
step aside so
you can
show me the
path.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Saturday in Lent

"Be strong, and let your heart
   take courage,
all you who wait for the
   LORD."  Psalm 31:24

when cancer
weakens
our resolve,
when cracks
appear in
our hearts,
when sorrow
absorbs
every tear
we have -
let us
stand up
to these
bullies and
not let them
push us around.
when the shadows
seep under
the edges of
our doors,
slowly creeping
towards our bed,
ready to grab
us by the hand
and drag us
into our fears,
let us wait,
for the Lord has
just gone down
the hall to get us
a glass of water
and will be back
to sit by our
side until
morning.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Third Friday in Lent

"Run to and fro through the
      streets of Jerusalem,
   look around and take note!
Search its squares and see
   if you can find one person
      who acts justly
      and seeks truth—
   so that I may pardon
      Jerusalem." Jeremiah 5:1

we creep down the

back alleys of apathy,

looking for a doorway

in which we can huddle

from the searching eyes

of those longing for justice.

we walk the cold streets

in the early morning hours

hoping that we will not 

encounter you as you walk

your dog called 'Dinkum oil.'

we sweep out of our homes

racing down the street as

the truck peddling treats 

laced with despair entices us

with its seductive tunes.

and we still long

to find our way 

to hope.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman 

Third Thursday in Lent

"For my people are foolish,
   they do not know me;
they are stupid children,
   they have no
   understanding.
they are skilled in doing evil,
but do not know how to do
   good." Jeremiah 4:22

lifelong learners
of vileness,
we are constantly
checking out
the latest videos
and DIY books;
skilled in the
rhetoric of
bullying, we take
every advantage
offered by the
social media;
we proudly
hang the
framed PhDs
in iniquity
obtained from the
diploma mills
accessed online;
so
send us back
to your
kindergarten
where we can
begin to learn
anew the ABCs of
kindness,
justice,
and grace.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Wednesday in Lent

"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?' John 5:6

the anger stewing inside,

churning my heart

far worse then any

ulcer i have ever experienced.

the decades long grudge 

slowly bending my back

until i can touch my nose

to the sidewalk.

the canker sores

formed in my mouth

from chewing on the

bitter words until 

i spew them out

on to others. 

my soul spurs 

in my heels caused

by trying to get 

as far away from you

as quickly as i could?

made well?

dare i?

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Tuesday in Lent

"I remember the devotion of your 
   youth,
your love as a bride,
how you followed me in the
   wilderness,
in a land not sown." Jeremiah 2:2

i remember when
i was a little
child,
clinging so tightly
to you,
determined never,
ever to let go, for
fear of losing you;
i remember those
promises
i made, holding hands
with you, looking
you in the eyes
with a passion
which seemed to
dim the full moon
shining through
the window;
i remember following
you with unfettered
enthusiasm,
carefully placing my
feet in the impressions
you left
in my heart,
convinced you knew
a path i could not see;
i remember
and wonder
why
did i
forget?

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Monday in Lent

"I lift up my eyes to the
   hills--
from where will my help
   come?" Psalm 121:1

you shaped the stars,
yet thought to put a
twinkle in our
eyes;
you carved rivers
through canyons,
and gave us 
tears to share with
laughter;
you shattered moons
into asteroids,
and put hearts
deep within
us which break
for others;
you ignited that
spark which flung
universes into space, 

yet effortlessly
take a moment to
help us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Sunday in Lent

"Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, 
'Now I have put my words
in your mouth. . . '" Jeremiah 1:9

they
can become the
punctum
of animosity,
or the healing balm
for the sores
on another's
soul;
they
can be the
bricks
in a wall which
separates us,
or the bridge
over the canyon
of our prejudices;
they
can burn the
dreams
of our friends
to ashes,
or rekindle the
dying embers
of their hope;
so
give us the
words from your

Heart which others

long to hear 

in these times.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Saturday in Lent

"The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.'" John 4:25

to those
bullied
in schoolyards,
you proclaim
friendship;
to those
ostracized
because they
are 'different,'
you proclaim
acceptance;
to those
refugees
who should go
back to where
they came from,
you proclaim
welcome;
to us
who see
people only as
'those,'
you proclaim
mercy.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Friday in Lent

"He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen." Deuteronomy 10:21

so simple:
the sun
which never
sleeps in late
or takes a sick
day;
the spouse who,
after 60 years,
still sees the
22-year-old face
when they look

at their soulmate;
the trees,
whose barren,
brittle branches
let Spring
hibernate
deep within;
the auroral zone
which warms
us on bitter
winter nights
with shimmering
displays;
so ordinary,
we forget how
awesome these
things
are, and so
we forget our

Praise.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Second Thursday in Lent

"'Come,' my heart says,
   'seek his face!'
Your face, LORD, do I seek." Psalm 27:8

i seek your
face
in every smooth-skinned,
toned and tanned
celebrity parading
down the red carpet,
not noticing your
bright eyes watching
me from the nest
of crows' feet
in the well-worn
visage of the
bag lady on
the park bench;
i beat the bushes
looking for you,
counting to 100
as slowly as i can,
staying as close
to home base
as possible,
while you prance
beside me, your
tail wagging in
delight at being
able to play with
me;
i leave no stone
unturned,
determined to
find the treasure
promised on
the faded map,
until i turn around
and find you
planting a garden
of joy
in the rich soil
disturbed by my
anxiety.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Wednesday in Lent

"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

it is that breath
which barely stirs
the curtains
on a steamy,
summer night,
yet
cools our sweaty souls;
it can come
as a gust strong enough
to knock us off our feet,
so we look around
and see that misstep
we were about to take;
it is the aroma
of bread
fresh out of the oven,
so yeasty and warm
tickling our senses until
we realize we are
home,
where you have been
waiting.
for
us.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman  

First Tuesday in Lent

"The friendship of the Lord is
   for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant
   known to them." Psalm 25:14

on a hot summer's day,
the wind in our faces,
salt tangy on our lips,
you laugh with delight as
you place my hand
on the tiller, saying,
"it's your turn; remember
what i showed you."
on a cold winter morning, when
it seems that 
the chill just won't
let go of my heart,
you pour me a strong cuppa,
slathering butter and jam
on just-baked bread, pushing it
across the table to me;
as i wonder about
the next step in this journey,
worried what it might mean,
you remind me,
"sure, put me down
as a reference; but
you don't have
to ask every time -
that's what friends
are for."

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Monday in Lent

"Do not say to yourself, 'My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.'" Deuteronomy 8:17

not the tasks
i turn my
hand to,
but the
open palm
of friendship
i offer to
another;
not a bigger
house
than my
rival,
but the
space i offer
you
in my soul;
not the wad
of paper $$
in my purse,
but the picture
of the child
i am mentoring;
not the toned
muscles gained
at the gym,
but the
vulnerability
i offer to
my partner;
not the
diploma on
my wall,
but those
words
you write
on my
heart:
these are
the true
wealth
of my
life.

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Sunday in Lent

"For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength."  1st Corinthians 1:25

gazing in the mirror,
you scoop up a gob
of greasepaint,
smearing it all over
your face,
adding the candy-red
gumdrop nose,
dabbing mauve stars,
mustard moons,
and iridescent comets
on your cheeks;
you pull on
the polka dotted suit,
the baggy sleeves
stuffed with grace;
sticking the seltzer bottle
filled with living water
in your back pocket;
you pull on your
three-times-too-big
scuffed shoes
and squeeze uncomfortably
into the kiddie car
disguised as a
firetruck;
waving and honking
the big-bulbed horn
you drive through
our lives,
calling out:
'wanna see Jesus?
. . . follow me!'

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Saturday in Lent

"to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone."  Titus 3:2

rather than choosing

to be silent about the

way others are treated,

may we stand up 

to the haters.
rather than nibbling

on our bitter hearts

so we have enough bile

to spew on others,

may our words become

the warmth those frozen

out of compassion need.
rather than slamming the door

on all those with whom we disagree,

may we step out on the porch

to share a cup of coffee.
rather than pulling up 

the built-in thesaurus 

on our devices so we 

have all the words to stun

others into silence,

may we turn it off

so we can listen instead.

rather than watching the new

family working to get

the moving van unloaded

before the storm hits,

may we gather some neighbors

and lend them our help.

rather than being the folks

we have always been,

may we try every moment

to become who you long

us to be.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Friday in Lent

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,” Titus 2:11-12

maybe this Lent,
it would be permissible
to simply fast from faith
so that we can jump
feet first into the
social media fray of doing
our darndest to damn
as many people as we can.
maybe this Lent,
it will be allowed for us
to simply say yes to
feeding the angry wolf inside us,
to dive headfirst 
into the deep pools of sensationalism,
to cede all our hopes and dreams
to every form of worldly power.
maybe this Lent,
we will just let you journey
alone,

while we stay

in the wilderness.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

First Thursday in Lent

"He will regard the prayer of the

   destitute,

and will not despise their
   prayer."  Psalm 102:17

we look at
the shaky,
unshaven fellow
holding the sign
by the side of the road
asking for $$$
and discern a failure,
but you see
that prodigal
who left home
so long ago, and
you begin to
hand-write the
party invitations;
just outside
the doors of the
sanctuary,
we impatiently
listen to the 'sob
story' we have heard
a hundred times, slowly
edging away (while
stealing glances
at our watch),
but you take
her by the hand,
leading her over
to the shady bench,
sitting down and
giving her your full
attention, inviting
"tell me more."

(c) Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

Ash Wednesday

"Is not this the fast that I choose:" Isaiah 58:6

when we would continue

to gorge ourselves 

on the anger wild-firing

through our days,

when we would drink deeply

from the cups of bitter memes,

heartless taunts, and 

self-righteous reels,

when we just cannot let go

of those grudges we feel

are the only things 

we have of value these days,

gather all these yolks and

toss them in your firepit of grace,

stick your thumb in the ashes

and seal yourself on

our hearts, our souls,

our lives so we remember

that we are the remnant called

to faithfulness for these times.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 4th

"As a deer longs for flowing streams, 

   so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
   for the living God."  Psalm 42:1-2

i am so hungry,

Gentle God,

starving for a taste,

even if only a crumb,

of your grace 

in these graceless moments.

i am so parched,

Living Water,

my lips are cracked

and my throat is as dry

as the grass on a blazing

summer's day, because 

no one, no one seems 

willing to share from 

those deep wells of love

you have poured into each of us.

i search,

wandering God,

i search high and low

far and wide

for just a glimpse 

of hearts which overflow

with compassion and hope

in these days when it seems

being heartless has become

the newest social media challenge.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 3rd

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

i can do a cannon ball
into the deep end
of that pool filled with my foolishness.
without any hesitation
at all on my part, i
will give into every lust
which shows up on
the front porch of my heart.
when fears surround me
and begin to lay siege
to my soul, i will wave
that proverbial white flag.
and heaven help anyone
who gets in my way
climbing the ladder
to power and fame.

but you?
well, i am afraid
all you get, God,
are the leftovers
of me.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 2nd

"Then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!'" Luke 9:35

you call us to listen,

not to scare us 

out of our wits, but

so we might discover

the lost art of listening

and in the listening,

we open ourselves

our hearts, our souls

to another's words,

another's heart, another's soul,

offer them a home,

a safe haven, a hope,

a place where they 

can lodge their life.

not just their words,

their hearts, their souls,

but their very silence,

that deepest, most holy

ground in any of your children.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

March 1st

"But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture - “I believed, and so I spoke” - we also believe, and so we speak," 2 Corinthians 4:13

most days

believing is more 

than enough.

in troubling days,

it is not enough

just to believe, we must

speak and pray and tell

that good news of goodness

and love and grace.

but on extraordinary days,

days of worry and fear,

when disbelief stabs our hearts,

we must move beyond 

simple telling and simpler belief

to be

to be the truth that 

will not let lies spread,

to be the courage that

goes toe to toe with bullies,

to be the justice 

which is ripped from 

the souls of our siblings,

to be the love that 

will not let hate conquer

humanity

much less us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

February 28th

"But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us."  2 Corinthians 4:7

not that China pattern

passed down the generations

or porcelain vases brought

from far away countries

or jewelry so valuable 

that it needs to be kept

locked away and rarely worn

or heavy, bulky, blocky

antique furniture that the 

kids admit is just not them.

but clay,
dust of the earth

scooped up in your 

callused hands, cradled

gently as you shape 

us not for power,

but weakness.

not for hubris

but humility.

not for cruelty

but compassion.
not for judgement

but for justice.

not for hate

but for hope.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman