Make a prayer on morning daystar. Make a prayer on the nightstar.
Say yes to the Lord.
Seek the Trinity, celestial sense. Large, encompassing greater than the sky and nebula beyond into galaxies.
Like the deer that yearns.
So went his thoughts, feelings, desire.
An unusual one, reading his books on God, and stretching out his spirit at Church. This young man
came every Sunday. Saying, is it so eccentric
to want the Lord, to know Him in the Eucharist,
that I am a man and mortal; so it shall take all my life living in the spirit and knowledge of the maker.
Two photos by Hubble telescope.
Audio reading of poem by poet is here:
Friday, April 25, 2008
Reflection on the Eucharist by Peter Menkin
A reflection on Communion which includes two of my poems:
A reflection on the Eucharist as central part of my worship experience: A way of Communion, certain Church of Our Saviour, Mill Valley, California, USA Wednesday Eucharist, April 23, 2008 John 15: 1-8 “Abide in me as I abide in you.” Peter Menkin April 22, 2008
As I reflect on our reading today, one that is so meaningful to me as an Oblate of the Episcopal Church, and as a Parishioner, I consider my deep relationship with Christ. This reading about the vine encourages me to enter into Communion, a central means of faith for me, the Eucharist.
I am fortunate, I am encouraged as an Oblate and Episcopalian, to enter into regular Communion, receiving the body and blood of Christ on Sundays, and also in my religious work of offering the Eucharist as a Lay Minister. Sometimes, if one includes Wednesday Eucharist, as today, I have the opportunity of receiving the Eucharist more than three times a week—even four.
The late well known Catholic Priest, Teilhard de Chardin wrote about the Eucharist as a presence in the universe. This famous theological thinker may be known to you. He considered Eucharist a universal and mystical experience in which we as members of the Church live and are –as in being-- as a result of our participation. Here is a poem I wrote about this wonderful religious teacher, as I have experienced the Communion essence. I find writing poetry a way of faith practice, and that I find this act of Communion by body and blood a way of staying with Christ. This poem is set in Lent.
Engaged in Le Milieu Divine Lent... (2002) by Peter Menkin
In the habitat zone where I know God’s presence I recognize the outer darkness-- transfigure is the season’s introduction to Le Milieu Divine.
Precarious habitation, there is the greater world where Christ is loci, even in travails ordinary, extraordinary. We are of substance existence, created believing--seeking.
Fill my half-heartedness; unbend me. Before my trials of devil and insidious evil--the darkness. You are center point even of my despair, of love, inside me, outside entering transformation.
May I show penitence, everlasting one adored. Lent begins.
A common theme in all my poetry is reverence for the Eucharist. It is fact for me. Eucharist is central to worship and I consider it at the same time a focus on Christ, as we are encouraged in this reading from John. John is a “mystical” writer of Gospel, and the good news is that we are part of his ministry, as an evangelical, and of course members of the body of Christ.
Because the poem I’ve offered is about Lent, I wanted to share with you another, one about Easter. Another theme of season that I practice as my discipline of religious life. Receiving Easter, is part of the year, to keep Easter in mind as we look forward to it during the year. We are an Easter people, and we share in the risen Christ, and in the Eucharist. Communion is a journey.
Easter Sweetness By Peter Menkin
To delight in the Paradise
of Easter; it is the Lord's.
The Christ!
Alleluia!
Oh, speak in the night, a conversation
of the spirit, a complaint, a plea.
It is the Lord’s will, a renewal
For humankind. Celebrate in the fullness
Of living.
Do so in the Church at prayer,
Meditating on the day, ones failings,
Surprises—opening to God.
So one speaks, listens, waits
And lives in the knowledge of Easter,
Its seasonal presence. This divine gift.
So may we rest in thee, in aloneness.
We rest in thee, together our love in emotion and soul
binds us joyfully -- thank you
for the morrow in the bringing
of the quickening spirit, a
millennium of blessings in color,
in shadow, in light, early morning.
There is God, our beloved
He calls us.
At the end of the poem, which is posted as an audio reading on our Church website, I say “There is God, our beloved/He calls us.” The reading does remind us that Christ is available to us in spirit, in love, for Christ is a representation and a door to God, and our God --as is Christ,-- is love, and loving. He calls us. So the Eucharist does, too. So the reading reminds me.
I find I can rest in Communion, in the love that is Eucharist, in Christ. “We rest in thee, together our love in emotion and soul/binds us joyfully…” my poem reads. This is a quickening spirit. What a wonderful term, “…quickening spirit…” For us Communion undergirds our life in Christ.
This reading is from, “An Anthology of Christian Devotion: Holy Communion, “ compiled by Massey H. Shepherd, Jr. I commend it to anyone here, and it is available in our Church library.
“It is not only for the individual that the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper has a central, living, mystic meaning, but for the whole community, the whole Church, yes, for all mankind. For here the divine mingles with the human, the terrestrial, here in the Eucharist praise and sacrifice are offered to the Lord for the whole world and by the whole world…and the whole cosmos is hereby potently ennobled and sanctified in that earthly elements of wine and bread become the glorified body and blood of the Son of God. That is why the idea of all creation is assembled in spirit around the Eucharistic altar so constantly recurs in the old liturgies of the East. For through Him, through His death, and through the glorification of His risen body, here mystically represented, creation partakes of the glory of redemption…
“This communion of the soul with God is not a dialogue, but a mighty harmony of many tones, a great organism, a powerful kingdom, a comprehensive brotherhood, a Church of God into which the individual is caught up as a member of the whole body, and which expands and grows into the infinite until it embraces, not only all mankind but the whole creation, the whole cosmos, in a kingdom of eternal life. It is a cosmic, an oecumenical conception.” --Nicholas Arseniew.
If I may make a recommendation, again, as it has been recommended to me, I say enter into the Communion service in as full and complete a way on any Sunday as you can. Or at any time
Reflection on Communion
by Peter Menkin
A reflection given at Church of Our Saviour, posted because it discusses as part of its body two poems of mine.
A reflection on the Eucharist as central part of my worship experience:
A way of Communion, certain Church of Our Saviour, Mill Valley, California
Wednesday Eucharist, April 23, 2008
John 15: 1-8
“Abide in me as I abide in you.”
Peter Menkin
April 22, 2008
As I reflect on our reading today, one that is so meaningful to me as an Oblate of the Episcopal Church, and as a Parishioner, I consider my deep relationship with Christ. This reading about the vine encourages me to enter into Communion, a central means of faith for me, the Eucharist.
I am fortunate, I am encouraged as an Oblate and Episcopalian, to enter into regular Communion, receiving the body and blood of Christ on Sundays, and also in my religious work of offering the Eucharist as a Lay Minister. Sometimes, if one includes Wednesday Eucharist, as today, I have the opportunity of receiving the Eucharist more than three times a week—even four.
The late well known Catholic Priest, Teilhard de Chardin wrote about the Eucharist as a presence in the universe. This famous theological thinker may be known to you. He considered Eucharist a universal and mystical experience in which we as members of the Church live and are –as in being-- as a result of our participation. Here is a poem I wrote about this wonderful religious teacher, as I have experienced the Communion essence. I find writing poetry a way of faith practice, and that I find this act of Communion by body and blood a way of staying with Christ. This poem is set in Lent.
Engaged in Le Milieu Divine
Lent... (2002) by Peter Menkin
In the habitat zone
where I know God’s presence
I recognize the outer darkness-- transfigure is the
season’s introduction to Le Milieu Divine.
Precarious habitation, there is the greater world where Christ is loci,
even in travails ordinary, extraordinary.
We are of substance existence,
created believing--seeking.
Fill my half-heartedness; unbend me.
Before my trials of devil and insidious evil--the darkness.
You are center point even of my despair, of love,
inside me, outside entering transformation.
May I show penitence, everlasting one adored.
Lent begins.
A common theme in all my poetry is reverence for the Eucharist. It is fact for me. Eucharist is central to worship and I consider it at the same time a focus on Christ, as we are encouraged in this reading from John. John is a “mystical” writer of Gospel, and the good news is that we are part of his ministry, as an evangelical, and of course members of the body of Christ.
Because the poem I’ve offered is about Lent, I wanted to share with you another, one about Easter. Another theme of season that I practice as my discipline of religious life. Receiving Easter, is part of the year, to keep Easter in mind as we look forward to it during the year. We are an Easter people, and we share in the risen Christ, and in the Eucharist. Communion is a journey.
Easter Sweetness
By Peter Menkin
To delight in the Paradise
of Easter; it is the Lord's.
The Christ!
Alleluia!
Oh, speak in the night, a conversation
of the spirit, a complaint, a plea.
It is the Lord’s will, a renewal
For humankind. Celebrate in the fullness
Of living.
Do so in the Church at prayer,
Meditating on the day, ones failings,
Surprises—opening to God.
So one speaks, listens, waits
And lives in the knowledge of Easter,
Its seasonal presence. This divine gift.
So may we rest in thee, in aloneness.
We rest in thee, together our love in emotion and soul
binds us joyfully -- thank you
for the morrow in the bringing
of the quickening spirit, a
millennium of blessings in color,
in shadow, in light, early morning.
There is God, our beloved
He calls us.
At the end of the poem, which is posted as an audio reading on our Church website, I say “There is God, our beloved/He calls us.” The reading does remind us that Christ is available to us in spirit, in love, for Christ is a representation and a door to God, and our God --as is Christ,-- is love, and loving. He calls us. So the Eucharist does, too. So the reading reminds me.
I find I can rest in Communion, in the love that is Eucharist, in Christ. “We rest in thee, together our love in emotion and soul/binds us joyfully…” my poem reads. This is a quickening spirit. What a wonderful term, “…quickening spirit…” For us Communion undergirds our life in Christ.
This reading is from, “An Anthology of Christian Devotion: Holy Communion, “ compiled by Massey H. Shepherd, Jr. I commend it to anyone here, and it is available in our Church library.
“It is not only for the individual that the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper has a central, living, mystic meaning, but for the whole community, the whole Church, yes, for all mankind. For here the divine mingles with the human, the terrestrial, here in the Eucharist praise and sacrifice are offered to the Lord for the whole world and by the whole world…and the whole cosmos is hereby potently ennobled and sanctified in that earthly elements of wine and bread become the glorified body and blood of the Son of God. That is why the idea of all creation is assembled in spirit around the Eucharistic altar so constantly recurs in the old liturgies of the East. For through Him, through His death, and through the glorification of His risen body, here mystically represented, creation partakes of the glory of redemption…
“This communion of the soul with God is not a dialogue, but a mighty harmony of many tones, a great organism, a powerful kingdom, a comprehensive brotherhood, a Church of God into which the individual is caught up as a member of the whole body, and which expands and grows into the infinite until it embraces, not only all mankind but the whole creation, the whole cosmos, in a kingdom of eternal life. It is a cosmic, an oecumenical conception.” --Nicholas Arseniew
If I may make a recommendation, again, as it has been recommended to me, I say enter into the Communion service in as full and complete a way on any Sunday as you can. Or at any time.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
In the flame of the candle unknowable vastness (2001)
by Peter Menkin
God's presence arrives,
listening to the lighted
candle. The flame
communicates the aware
devotion of silence, making
things seen and unseen
prayerful notices. These conversations
continue reverently in the room
where we were on vigil Eastertime.
Those prayers remain still. How soothing it is to listen
to prayer; the Yes, be awake in spirit
and mind
as during the engagement with God
there is room for the fiery envelopment
elicited within and enjoined
to others in a rising embrace
by unknowable vastness. Given
a moment to be aware
of God's presence.
Receive the season
that astounds, despite slowness
of heart. Say "Stay with us..."
At the back of the Church,
at the foot of the Cross in the Cathedral,
by the sacrament in private on the mountain,
in the chapel at noon time,
on the road,
in the light of day,
during work, how it is to recall
the spirit.
Times eternal unending. Here remember:
Others know, too.
When she goes to pray, an intimate
time of life, we know love
embraces us as love embraces her.
On Sunday, first the flame listens
best; later all week the heart be open, love invites
on the road. Feed us, You do
in the breaking of bread.
Take the cup. A moment and minutes that love offers,
this is the sweet enduring spirit.
Continue the ongoing conversation.
This poem has a third revision, and it is a response that is part of the series "Conversations with the Holy Spirit." Written after reading the end of Luke in the New Testament (NSRV), and mostly begun in response to the suggestion "Take a moment to be aware of God's presence," one line requires its own place about the middle of the now shorter work. "First the flame listens;" is the line. I'll make that change.
This makes sense to me because the setting of the poem is the Sunday Church service. The poem is written as a prelude to the coming Sunday, and the reading from Luke is where two apostles are going down towards the village Emmaus, and they come across a stranger who they talk to about a man who was before God, walked with God, was God and Man. They talk about being astounded by the women of their group who were at the tomb of Christ in the early morning. Here they speak of their joy and a promise that is given of something wonderful and mysterious, a spirit that will come among them.
I am reminded of the flame of the candle that is lit by the worshipper in Church, and the prayers of the heart that are burning. Mostly, I attempt to render the experience of the spirit. This is a kind of listening experience that I believe is known to many people.
Here is a line from that book by Luke (24:13-53), "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"
These notes are from the original posting on July 12, 2001. That along with the poems, also posted then on the same board (The Atlantic Monthly Writer's Workshop). Should the reader of this blog wonder how 2001 and poems with notes from them make a journal entry for today, January 23, 2008, understand it takes a while to get around to things. Though this is the season of Epiphany in the Church I attend, I am looking forward to Lent and Easter. Also, afterall, I am also working on poems from as many as 7 years ago. For some reason, I am happy with this particular incarnation in two versions, and the notes about them from 2001.
Poem about Communion: Another one that reflects the experience...
It appears that I have a number of poems on the Communion experience. This one is like a prayer. I hope you like it. My experience with Communion has been a refreshing one. I have included a poem by the Episcopal Priest John B. Coburn. It is also a poem like a prayer. I post it here to provide a flavor for prayer and poetry.
Hospitality of Communion...( 2001)
By Peter Menkin
In the poverty that lies of my sorrow,
I asked with the bended
knee of my heartfor gifts as Solomon
did when he asked of You
wisdom.
Wisdom day, I want to know
this rhythm living
with You.
Some wonderfully enter
into spectacular celebration
on Sundays that is a feast,
and I am waiting
to know some of this incredible
Word: let my prayer rise like
a sweet savor,
incense that is happiness.
Discovery, you are the Vine,
and there is such celebration!
I called out in the Church,
Reveal Yourself, O my God!
I am needy and seek You.
In the quiet part of day,
towards sunset,
hear me.
My sorrow brings
me a lowly heart. MayI know this lowly heart
in your poverty.
I have met Youin others.
They invite me
with an ache. Heart. Mine.
Give me
hospitality.
Accept me.
Communion with God and others through Eucharist...a continuation of the series on communion... My web page has many of my poems, and this one titled "The Journey of Communion" is from those pages. About my previous post of May 11, a friend says, "Communion is not really about either the giver or the receiver. It is about receiving the whole person of Jesus: Body, Soul, Mind and Spirit. And in receiving Jesus, we become more like Him, both individually and corporately. It is never just a 'Me and Jesus thing.' " In thinking about her comment, I wanted to post something about communion again, and so this one.
Regarding that May 11 post about communion, I revised the previous post to better reflect her thoughts. When revising it, I borrowed from her words, including these: "I know and am known by God, with others." I thought her criticism did reveal a more full and better statement about communion, and included those words. I hope it's legal to borrow some words for ones poem from a friend or from a criticism. That poem to which I refer is titled, "Communion with a Bishop." It seems that this older poem, posted here, is a continuation of a statement about communion. So I call the subject of this post today, "Communion with God and others through Eucharist...a continuation of the series on communion..."
Yes to communion with a Bishop, a special experience...
This poem has been thoroughly reworked again, and perhaps it will settle down. It is about communion with a Bishop, a special experience, and for me a not so usual one. I found myself invited to this communion that celebrated the installation of a professor's chair at Church Divinity School for the Pacific in Berkeley, California. Now a few years ago, the memory of the experience and the communion remain in my memory.
Communion with a Bishop
by Peter Menkin
Yes, to communion,
to the Bishop
who offered this
to a roomful of faithful.
Yes, to communion:
Wine and bread. The warmth of the moment,
revealing an intimate
belonging. Engaging me and others
in the quickness of life, with the eternal
experience that is beyond imagination.
“My ways are not
your ways,” says God.
Hospitality to acceptance,
the Lord and the Bishop
are welcoming in the spirit of warmth and friendship.
Yes, to communion.
Those present, line up wanting the holiness.
We stand with reverence.
All of us bow before taking the elements.
“The body and blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
as blessing,
of veil of time and place.
Yes, to the peace of Christ.
I reveal myself in prayer and go on in silence.
