“Of Cuidar And Ciudad” [Spanish Jerusalem Bible series] (“Luke 10:1-12; Psalm 127; Matt. 10:11-16; John 8:12; 1:1-18; Psalm 122:6-9; Matt.13:3-9, 18-23; Matt.5:13-16 ) (revised)

As I’m dyslexic (shift in words
The written letters, seldom heard),
My mind plays games with “u” and “i”
In Spanish – that’s the reason why –

Two words played games the other day
With me – showed text had much to say
’Bout “You” and “I” (in written form),
God’s blessing – just outside the norm.

We first heard use of “ciudad”
In name of town our children had
(“Colon” the other half of name) –
A “city”, “town” (here, much the same).

For in the prayers we teach our kids,
“Say, ‘cuidamos’ – for thus we bid
My Dios (God) fix town as well,
So we have healthful place to dwell”.

Lord, at the first of Your career,
As Your twelve men You tried to steer
In best ways to approach their job,
You noted towns are much like mobs –

If mobs are good – their spirit’s bright,
Like fun-times on a concert night,
When all are happy, even thrilled
At music played (for which we’re billed) –

Then it’s like healthy ciudad,
Which gives warm memories, not sad;
God uses ciudad(s) to give
The things we need, with which to live.

But if our ciudad is sick,
It needs repairs – attention quick,
So God can use our ciudad
To cuidamos – and make us glad.

Lord Jesus, You instructed them,
“Dust feet of towns in hill or glen
Which won’t accept good news of life;
There’s towns that will – don’t ’bide their strife.

But what if kids whose evening prayers
Have words like cuidamos? For theirs
Is not a happy lot indeed,
If town they’re in has vital needs.

Lord, what I hear is, “ ’xactly right!
That’s why the darkness needs the light;
Sometimes the soul-soil must be fixed,
That seed-words grow and not be blixed.

“Disciples’ case – ’twas not their task,
But later, when their time had passed,
Some others, mostly from within
Such towns, this prep-work could begin.

“It doesn’t take that much to change
Town’s attitude – it’s in the range
Of what one citizen can do
If they so choose – say – how ’bout U?”

Thanks Lord for this.

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