Hairshirt

Posted by Paul F. Lenzi on March 20, 2015
Posted in: POETRY. 3 Comments

Poesy plus Polemics

Hairshirt Photo from thecatholicsciencegeek.blogspot.com Hairshirt
Photo from thecatholicsciencegeek.blogspot.com
thief of dignity
like lake mud
that pulls at
one’s essence
sucks it down
into muck
in the murk
swirling reckless
impurities
spoiling the
years of clean
motives a good
life remembered
by one grave
mistake head
forever hung
down in that
posture of
shame clad
in mortified
homespun that
penitent weave
only men of
true conscience
can know
how to wear

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3 comments on “Hairshirt”

  1. In the faith I walk out each day, I know there’s a sweet spot between awareness of the worst that I’ve done and said (most of it, anyway), and being confident of my position with God, who has washed all of that clean in the blood of His Son. Humility is not about revisiting sins He has put as far as the east is from the west–it’s about striving to see others with His same love and mercy. I wasted too many years beating myself up–wearing hairshirt–until one beautiful day, God said, “Enough–stop it; you’re making Jesus’ finished work at the Cross null and void. I LOVE you, you’re forgiven–now walk in JOY and Freedom”. (mini-sermon) I’m far from perfection, but I accomplish more for Him now that I’ve got that straight, than I did when my eyes were on my dark failings–rather than on the Light of Jesus’ blood-bought Victory.

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      • I’m misty-eyed, reading your comment–you couldn’t make me any happier if you sent me a million bucks. My life–the hell, and the high days–is worth nothing here on earth if I’ve not inspired someone somewhere, a little bit. Thank you for your affirming words (and God bless you BIG, too!).

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