Evangelical

I couple of years ago I asked my dad what this word meant— I would encounter it frequently in Christianity Today or Focus on the Family pamphlets. He answered that it was someone who believes the Gospel should be shared. I remember when I heard this, I literally laughed out loud. As oppose to what? Believing it shouldn't be shared? Clearly the thought had never even occurred to me. But now I attend a Catholic university and I realize that not everyone sees the Good News as I do. And how hostile people are to its essence. There are a lot of things about the Jesuit tradition that I respect, but I just can't reconcile Jesus' claim to exclusivity in reaching God with the Jesuit promotion of any and all roads to God. Why is speaking the truth in love so hard?

A Heart in the World

Dad's words, like water, sometimes sting
But always nourish us.
It's not those words but selfless deeds
evoke what Eden was.
I'm humbled and surprised at times
What sacrifice he makes!
And yet I find myself in doubt—
I strive for striving's sake.
A nice boy's words I hear and think
This man can work and care.
But soon his ugly heart's revealed
No brokenness he bears.
My pride in being the "purer" one
disintegrates apart.
My body, though untouched for now,
contains an easy heart.
I'm sorry, Dad. Although I've yet
To behave like a whore
The precious heart you fought to guard
is hurt— who can restore?