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