Light's Pouring Through The Cracks Poem by michael spangenberg

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in (Cohen)

נא לצלצל בפעמונים שעדיין יכול לצלצל
תשכח הנפקה המושלמת עבורך
יש סדק בכל דבר
ככה נכנס האור.

People's freedom during a 2017-2021
diabolic administration's with a cabinet
straight from Hell has to be adjusted
downwardly in accordance with increased
range of existential risk: think nuclear, think climate change, think economic unequality.

However deep the despair, hope emerges in insisting that we make this journey together, whatever comes. Jesus offers abundant witness. He may go apart to pray and sleep peacefully in a stormy boat, but he's always there when the chips are down. He goes looking for underdogs and outsiders, offering food, healing, friendship, and hope in the face of every kind of abuse, exclusion, and injustice. Even in his own extremis, he confronts the gaping hole of despair with a spark of hope.

Thank God, God is close to the faithful
the snow-covered mountain peaks
but also when crossing the valleys of death
and destruction, more so even during unplanned exposures to broken systems, Ge insures that no broken vase's absolutely watertight, and allows the cracks, coincidentally only on the surface, oh graceful 'randomness' created by majestic design recreating glimmers of hope, revitalising refueling us, and the eternal light of mercy and justice to pour in generously and exuberantly.

We're meant to be similar shepherds, and all we really need is to claim our own belovedness, and know we're made in the image of God. We discover more about belovedness in the diverse images of God around us, all of them (and us) yearning for somebody who dares to stick his foot in the crack, or insert her shoulder to stop a closing door, or offer a heart and ear to the suffering.

We can learn to put ourselves in the crack and find ourselves and others mended. Reach across some broken relationship in your life and ask to hear the lament or the fear behind it. The next time you witness a breach of human decency, step in and stand with the fearful. Remember that you don't stand alone. Open your heart to see the humanity of those who frighten you, whether somebody asking for a handout or insisting you are wholly wrong. Each one bears the image of God, each one bears a potential blessing, each one deserves our regard and solidarity in the midst of brokenness. Remember that when we come to the Peace. Reach into the gap and offer the hope of presence, notice the beloved image of God, seek to heal the breach, and keep your foot in the door!

Is it easy? No, but it gets a bit easier with practice, and with solidarity. Notice the cracks, and walk into them looking for light. Demand light, and beat on the doors of heaven until you find it. It's long past midnight, and the light is coming. Ring the bells!

Footnote - Poetic variation of a sermon given by former episcopal Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, November 20,2016.