Thursday, December 24, 2009

Peace & Grace on Christmas Eve

FOR OUR WORLD


We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

September 11, 2001
© Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek


Used with permission from Hope Through Heartsongs, Hyperion, 2002

3 comments:

  1. beautiful poem. It really brings a sense of peace to you as you read it ... thanks for sharing, Boo xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great words and still so appropriate.

    Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas Suzann and a wonderful 2010! May this new year be all that you hope for, dear Suzann.

    ReplyDelete
  3. matty was such a special fellow - amazing child with the wisdom of a man. thank you for bringing his memory back to me this early christmas morning.

    hope this holiday is filled with joyful celebration and peace. sending many good wishes your way...hugggssss.

    ReplyDelete