down

Opening Prayer: Forgive me, Lord Jesus, when I forget that down is up in your kingdom, and I start trying to climb again when I should be trying to descend.  Give me the strength and the grace and the courage to follow you down, because it is the good and life-giving way.  It is the way straight into your heart.  Amen.

Scripture: Mark 8:34-37

Journal: How is God inviting you to follow him downward these days?  Will you?

Reflection:

          down

O Lord

here we go again

as you take me down

into the dust and dirt

the muck and mire

to make me more into 

the person you want me to be

it is a hard

but necessary trip

this downward journey

meant to accomplish 

something wild and wonderful

difficult yet life-giving

in me

for it takes a lot

of humiliation

i am told

to equal an ounce of humility

and humility is the mark

of those who know you best

and love you most

so whatever it takes

Lord Jesus

to make me more like you

i’m in

have your way with me

you emptied yourself

and made yourself nothing

for me

seems the least i can do

is return the favor

your glory was your pain 

and in dying 

you brought new life

so help me to be open

to that same downward path

lest i just become another old fool 

unwilling to accept 

that the road to life 

actually leads downward

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Your way, Lord Jesus, always leads downward before it takes us heavenward.  It is on the downward path where we learn all of the best things about the spiritual life.  It is on the downward path where we learn how to not end up as an old fool.  It is on the downward path where we learn the humility that is the mark of those who know you best and love you most.  Take us, Lord Jesus, on your downward path, today and every day.  Amen.