Troubled in Spirit

At supper with his friends, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples-- the one whom Jesus loved-- was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once." John 13:21-32

Troubled in Spirit

This journey has always been treacherous

these days seem even more troubling

the river bends to unveil the unseen rapids 

we are on a small boat on turbulent waters.

We pray and hold our children closer

showing them how to listen and to see

strapping them in to save their lives

hoping they do no see our tangible fear.

We walk this holy road to the cross together

no matter the terrors we pretend do not exist

they are roaring in our ears and we tremble

raising prayers that we might simply survive.

I am troubled in spirit for the days ahead

the Divine likewise knows why we are shaking

this river, this life is in the palm of the Creator

our hearts beat together and we continue on.