Second Monday in Lent

“Let the arrogant be put to shame,
   because they have subverted me with guile;
   as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.” Psalm 119:78

in the bruised dawns,
as sirens moan fear
and the ground reels
from every pain imaginable,
we bring you, Tender God,
those names we dare not speak
especially those we do not know.
may the weapons of the proud
rust from the tears of parents,
may the lies crafted by the cruel
from the truth the world knows
not become seductive whispers.
may we—
the weary and the wary,
the hopeless and the hurting
lean into your whispers of grace,
cradling your words like seeds,
waiting for the courage to plant them
so they might bring a harvest of hope.
as we mark our lives
with the ashes of headlines,
may we keep walking
your path of patience,
becoming small lights of love
no shadows can swallow,
remembering that even now,
especially now,
your peace grows quietly
in all hearts which refuse
to hate.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo:@Thom-Shuman