Lent in The Anthropocene i

The River Jordan. Source: en - wikipedia.org
It takes the Anthropocene
to know what it all means
when says old Mr. P
“neither lender nor borrower be”;
for whatever you presume to own
is yours no more than on loan
from tomorrow
all is borrowed.

Yes, even the splash of your baptism
was drawn from the river of the future
and these forty days are to ensure
that the waters off your head return
to the source not oily but pure.

So give up the proprietor’s stance.
Boldly take the chance
to restore the Jordan—
poor trickle of tomorrow—
from its ancient coming sorrow.
The desert lives;
it wants all its dryness back
and the interest you are to pay
is very close attention.

Greg Kennedy, SJ works as a spiritual director at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario. He is author of Reupholstered Psalms volumes I, II, and III; and Amazing Friendships between Animals and Saints (Novalis Press).

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2 Comments
  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 01:21h, 24 February Reply

    Thank you Greg!!

  • Paul Panaretos
    Posted at 07:48h, 26 February Reply

    I’m going to pass along this fine accounting!

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