Thoughts Have Hands

Thanks be to God for leadership capable of standing up in front of the most powerful elected official on earth and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only did Bishop Budde share the good news as any good Christian preacher would do but then she looked the president firmly in the eye and clearly made a plea for mercy.

Literally begging the president from the pulpit to be merciful to the many marginalized people in our country who are living in fear. She pointed out immigrants are an important part of our economy and statistically less likely to engage in crime than other groups. She spoke of the fears transgender people have related to their treatment in schools and in health care.

Her comments should be commended. The thoughts she offered were straight out of the New Testament. It was a normal message of the good news that should be familiar to any Christian. Yet in these hyperbolic times full of radical Christian nationalism and right wing cult thinking, Bishop Budde is being condemned for speaking the truth. Anyone who takes such a step can expect the powers that be will react negatively. We have ample evidence in scripture itself: think of John the Baptist or Jesus when they warned people of hypocrisy and mistreatment of the poor and widows. So Bishop Budde stands in a long line of prophetic men and women who have stood out from the crowd and stated their truth, calling the powerful to account for their meanness and violent behavior.

It is ironic that we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday on Inauguration Day. Dr. King was one of the modern day practitioners of such truth speech. His call for equal treatment of black and brown people and for economic justice led to his assassination.

We need to stand up with him and Bishop Budde along with others willing to call the powerful to account. We must condemn unjust or vengeful tactics in pursuit of a political agenda. The lies and ugly insults thrown around with no concern for consequences or impact have become all too common in our current political climate. We are a divided country and all sides have a right to their perspectives and opinions. However no one should be able to control the narrative and force their views on the body politic. It seems disagreement itself is not to be tolerated in this country. Yet we were once a proud democratic republic and free speech and freedom of association were the norm for centuries.

I write today to make my own position known and to advocate for tolerance and mercy.

I believe too many Americans have succumbed to a climate of fear fomented by dishonest brokers with an ideological agenda aimed at feathering their own nest. These politicians and oligarchs ignore the harmful effects of their policies. The powerful have implemented a program geared to scare the unwary into compliance, while promising flag waving political results that are largely illusory or illegitimate. The reality will harm the very people they won over, and fill the coffers of the rich while cutting much needed programs to support the less fortunate. The game works until the results begin to produce pain or panic. I think it likely buyers remorse will set in soon but the damage done to our country in the interim could be severe.

I think it is worth taking strong public positions against policies and enforcement actions that harm minorities. It is critical that the powers that be find it impossible to act with impunity. We must hold them accountable and Bishop Budde has done us a good service by taking a strong stance, face to face with the president in favor of mercy and against meanness. Thank you Bishop Budde.

I can only hope that your example will be the first of many strong appeals for mercy and tolerance. Personally, I think Americans have been fooled by a con man who is willing to say anything to get his way. Too many of our people are complacent and too comfortable with their lives to think seriously about our present age. So far Trump Rex has been very successful in achieving power and influence. I think he is best characterized as Trump Rex, but he remains vulnerable and mortal. So it is incumbent on good citizens to stand firmly against his lies and attempts at intimidation as well as to work diligently to defeat him at the polls as quickly as possible. Speak truth to power my friends. Stand up for the weak and vulnerable. Stare the hate and fear mongers in the face and tell them no. Hell no!

Tom Hardin

Expectations change with loss.

As once cozy days lapse into a weary haze.

Normal takes a sabbatical;

Home sickness pervades like the first night of summer camp.

Difference introduces herself but seems unfriendly and

Fails to seduce.

Forward feels foreign and awkward,

Confused you remain silent,

Seek solace in mirrors,

Watch strangers stare at flat screens in the airport lounge,

Memories smile as you reminisce.

In the barroom mirror you see shades of greed and envy reflected in the airport lounge,

The expected no longer nurtures 

The elixir of intended destinations wears thin.

And the coffee has grown cold.

Then a voice announces time for boarding, 

You walk to the gate, numb,

Wish you had ordered a stiff drink,

A one way ticket in hand.

From the airport window, you notice

Yesterday wave a distant goodbye;

You buckle up your heart for an uncharted flight.

Peer out a tiny portal at what once felt like home, 

Hear echoes of ghosts roar in loud jet engines,

Take flight to an unfamiliar destination,

Grip your seat, lean back and turn from loss,

Begin anew.

THH

2-9-25

On polar winds

Winter lumbered in.

Tenacious little flakes fell,

Covered dying grass on frosty hills,

Spread across once busy streets,

Closed off thoughts of hurriedness.

Snow fell through the night 

As worried eyes chanced rest.

Forced plans to go on hold,

And weather took control.

But morning light,

Dispelled threads of concern,

When awe struck eyes saw the show:

Ice crystals that fell through the night

Joined in one solid bank

Of new fallen snow 

Shimmering white in sunlight.

Nature’s persistence dazzled the mind:

Offered slices of immediacy 

On the knife edge of now,

Opened veins of silence within,

Shaped inconveniences of time

Into a moment of zen.

THH

01/11/25

Started a fire in the stone hearth,

Flames lit up quickly enough,

Danced in the air,

Heating our cold, out stretched hands,

Warming up hearts in the firelight 

Eager to snuggle

Side by side,

Ready to bed down for the long winter night.

Flesh touched flesh,

Your blue eyes sparkled in the firelight

Home fires glowed

And love warmed the night.

 

Happy by the fireside,

Near you tonight, 

And may it be so

Throughout this new year.

THH

12/31/24

Jesus said to his cousin John,

I want to be known as one with these,

Baptize me.

‘To untie your sandals I am unworthy,’ John railed, wild and preachy —

I should be baptized by you.

But Jesus said,

Let it be done to me now, and 

Stepped into the waters of the Jordan;

Into the rushing stream without hesitation, 

Jesus plunged deep, 

Struggled through the chaos,

Within and without, 

Leapt up fresh and smiling, 

Perfect and complete.

A grand celebration of word made flesh.

Forever blessed by His father in heaven, 

Ready to transcend pain and suffering,

And embrace neighbors as friends,

Open to a future at His father’s invitation.

So now we seek to follow His happy example;

As an infant suckles a mother’s breast;

Calm and safe from the storms of living, 

Suddenly awakens, 

Eyes wide open, surprised by chilly 

Water running down his soft face.

A shock to his rhythm of living,

Evoking loud protest at this solemn occasion.

A happy memory parents, family and Parishioners alike love to celebrate:

Naming this person,

Acknowledged as one of us,

A member of our community of friends,

Ready to keep alive baptism’s true meaning for formal appraisal after more living.

Charged with protecting his future, 

Responsible to give light to his journey, 

Teaching how Jesus loved without fear,

Learning to live the mystery of faith,

Through tears, jeers, and cheers

Year after year.

Finally to engage all creation as one of God’s Chosen,

And make of his future a heavenly Blessing.

THH

1/9/25

Forbidden fruits tempt our gaze.

The one thing missing to make life worth living.

The object of desire mesmerizing itchy eyes,

Ripe tasty fruit dangling so near, ready to eat.

Certain to make all the difference, 

Sure to satisfy, 

Worth the cost to make us perfect.

And with the first bite, want recedes.

The mouth fills with sweet elation,

Then comes the question: is breaking hallowed tradition worth the risk exploration?

And dawn reveals a foreboding sense of nakedness welling up within:

A shudder runs up and down the spine,

Exposed by earthly desires,

Covered with clumsy fig leaves, 

God mourns the loss of presence among us.

For shame overwhelmed,

And the one who loves completely,

Now keeps a respectful distance,

Waiting for us to resolve angry resistance

To nakedness and fear, 

Of who we are,

Or might be,

Of being fully known,

Choosing to stay on the run,

Gambling unending desires will fill in gaps of emptiness,

We serve a self imposed sentence,

Rely on victims to resolve savage tensions,

Chase after want,

Inflamed by tantalizing objects of desire,

Sacrifice the innocent, we named guilty.

And failing to win satisfaction,

One brother avenges himself on the other,

Murders his brother.

And human experience churns history on,

A never ending spectacle of violence and war.

Do you not wonder, if we should call a truce,

Give up the desperate need for the big win?

Tear down our idols of domination,

Open the door,

Invite everyone in,

Listen to their story and finally make friends.

THH

1/5/25

Started a fire in the old stone hearth,

Flames lit up quickly enough,

Danced in the air,

Heated bare ungloved hands,

Charmed anxious hearts

Side by side, 

Ready to bed down for a long winter’s night.

Eager to snuggle

Flesh touched flesh,

Your eyes sparkled in the firelight

Home fires glowed as

Love warmed the cold night.

 Happy by the fireside,

Near you tonight, 

Hope this stays true 

Throughout the new year.

THH

12/31/24

Christmas Eve comes once a year

Full of expectations 

A time of hope and excitement 

But the question pondered

Remains the same:

Will tomorrow bring fulfillment of dreams 

Will Christmas Day bring peace on earth,

Love and joy 

Good will to all

And every year we sing the same carols,

Chant the Magnificat— 

As if it has come true —

Pray let it be, let it be.

And in every annual repetition our hope continues unabated, seeking an answer.

Maybe this time around,

The tree we decorate with lights,

And stack with gifts for family and friends,

Will make everyone happy and thrilled

And the world born this day, safe and warm, 

And next spring a future of delight. 

We greet the future, with regular routines of welcome annually, 

Now make into sacred ritual

— candles, cookies, wreaths and trees,

reds and green, angels and bright lights,

Along with the traditional nativity scenes. 

All our preparations, like magic, conjures this one hope.

May tomorrow’s coming surprise with joy,

Or at least soothe our sorrow, sustain our hope.

As the new day dawns just the same 

And concludes at sunset like all the rest.

Nothing much changed, but we take it down, clean up the mess, pay the bill and prepare for the next,

A child is born everyday, more than one,

To face a future most ambiguous. 

Will it be one surrounded with love, plenty of food and wine to revel in

Will it be impoverished full of abuse starvation, and resentment, 

Will this son be welcomed as number one,

Will this daughter be treated as equal, 

Will the world accept their gifts or ignore them, 

Will they be slaves or someone’s master,

And the truth is pedestrian. 

Everyone of us like King David,

Covets what we know pleases;

Things delightful to the eye

Become demands,

And with the arrogance of power,

Worth iconic conniving and killing for.

Our evolution hauls in traps built of past traditions,

Into futures we envision,

Things expected to change for the better at last,

But never do; for nothing can, when the same traps are set, or the same games are played

The same as before.

So this Christmas Eve may things be different.

May we accept the gift of new life with humbleness

And no qualms for the way our lives turned out,

Leave craving for gain and

Disappointment behind,

May our repetitions finally bring joy for the future given,

As we submit ourselves in the service of remission, remembering love is born to be shared,

And living in such divine company makes

Christmas Day every day.

THH

12-24-24

Hope seeks change 

Pregnant with possibility,

Begs for peace to end hostility.

Hope builds a home in our past;

Anchors memories of life,

We wish would last.

Hope endures danger

When chaos threatens,

Sustains recovery 

When disasters strike. 

Hope seeks an Inn strangers can 

Stay in. Dreams favorable futures,

Like the one Mary prayed hard

For her son to dwell in.

Hope stakes claim to our horizon 

As the future births meaning,

Suffers long dark nights to bring 

Truth to light. 

When born in Bethlehem one cold morn,

Love wore winter gloves in perfect form

To keep hope safe and warm.

Infinite hope will bear good fruit in spring 

And the truth will be known to humanity.

As eternal love incarnates life,

The divine welcomes humans as kin.

THH

12/20/24

Feet of clay

Uncovered with shameless delight, 

Put on public display for all to see.

Prayers offered halfheartedly,

As smiles of judgment distain subtlety.

While the angry masses cheer, and

High minded pretense crumbles,

Shown paper thin.

Mass media sells the who, what and why,

Without nuance or empathy.

Impatient for summary judgement and quick execution, the crowd with

No sense of responsibility or worry with consequence,

Unembarrassed by hypocrisy,

Or the exercise of power, seek revenge.

In noisy celebration, victory can get out of hand, or become bland,

Turn ugly and threaten utter destruction,

Identified victims become scapegoats,

Once stable walls take sudden falls.

THH

12/12/24