For Your Consideration

Those that know me understand my slant toward tradition. I find great comfort in the liturgy of the Church and appreciate that which stands the test of time. However, I also recognize how trapped we can become in our own minds. They say that a "routine" is nothing more then one step away from a "rut". I am sure there are several reasons why we put blinders on as we plod down our various paths. To name them all here would be redundant. The key I think is to recognize that at times we let what we can NOT do, keep us from doing what we CAN do.
A wise man once said that one of the reasons we do not act like Christ, is because we do not THINK like Christ. Transform your mind, and you will transform your behavior.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Read… Think…. Learn… Love.
Enjoy!

The Sheep Trail

Centuries ago in a wood so deep,
Through the cool grass there wandered a sheep,
Who started a trail as he moved along,
A winding trail in the brush long gone.

By now two hundred years are through
And the sheep has died, as all sheep do;
But he left behind this trail he trod
As he mashed the grass on the forest sod.

And after him there came his flock,
And after them, some other stock,
Until it seemed to be a parade;
Thus, through those woods a path was made.

Twas a crooked path that wound about,
And dodged and curved both in and out,
And up and down over vale and steep,
Went the bending trail of that long gone sheep.

Then came some men on that twisting track,
That wandered here then took them back,
Till they uttered words of holy wrath,
To curse the curves of that twisting path.

And still they struggled till they did weep
Along the meanderings of that sheep
Who on this twisting trail they stalked,
Because he wandered as he walked.

In time the trail became a track,
That twisted around and circled back;
The track in time became a road,
Where many a traveler lugged his load.

And staggering on in the scorching sun,
They walked three miles for every one;
And as they walked they'd curse or weep,
As they followed the steps of that crooked old sheep.

In time, the road became a street,
And the forest a town were traders meet,
To sell their goods as their carts did creep,
Along the footsteps of a once wandering sheep.

And then the street became a square,
Of a growing city's thoroughfare;
And then with no lesser fame than this…
The major street of a metropolis!!

Each day the city's thousands trod
Over that ancient forest sod,
And travel at a furious pace,

The twisting path that sheep once did trace.

And though he's now long gone and dead,
Each day a million or more are led,
By one old sheep winding in and out,

Directing a country's traffic about.

They follow still his wandering way,
Wasting ten thousand years a day;
Alas! What blind reverence is lent,
To long established precedent.

We seem compelled to wander blind,
Along the sheep-trails of the mind,
To win again what others won,
And do again what they have done.

And we without the least contrition,
Bend our knee to worship tradition,
And count it progress to stumble along,
In the hoof-prints of that sheep long gone.

We plod along the beaten trail,
And repeat all over this mortal tale,
We waste our lives as we pursue
To do again what others do.

There are many things our hearts could see,
If we our past did not have to be,
And opened our minds to the world anew,
To walk not the ruts that others do.

Our Divine Charge we do not keep,
For we follow still that wobbling sheep,
And become the most pathetic of men,
Who can not be what we have not been.

Well, many things this tale could teach,
But I am sure you wish not to hear me preach.
Instead I offer a challenge to meet,
To change that path in your mind cut so deep.

To open your eyes, to reach the sun,
To do what others have not done,
To transcend time, to make the leap,
To TRANSFORM YOUR MIND, and bury that sheep!