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A Poem to Sit With
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, 2025
J. Janda
Reading I: Isaiah 5:1-7
Responsorial Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20
Reading II: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43


Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth."
(John 18:37)
  

As plants become
the earth
are fed by earth

we
rooted in
Christ
become Christ

to deny this
is
to deny Truth
to abort
ourselves
from Truth

and the
consequence
is death

and here lies the
mystery
of the deference
the respect

of our Father

he will not
coerce
or force our
love—

and here lies the
mystery
of our selves

that having seen
light
we choose darkness

having lived in
Truth
we prefer the lie

J Janda

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J Janda’s poems have appeared in newspapers, magazines, anthologies, and literary publications, as well as in books of his own poetry.
Copyright © 2000, J Janda
The present poem comes from the Janda's book, In Embrace.
Art by Martin Erspamer, OSB
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org
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