Nothing on my Own

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. John 5:30-37

On my knees not alone but silence
surrounds the sanctuary waiting
holding our breaths listening
the traffic train whistles the bustling
world outside near but apart
this peace come from nothing on my own.

The candles dance their light in tiny circles
encompassing a bare altar an open heart
the aching, wishing , wanting unspoken
a palatable groaning for harmony
and peace in every life, kneeling
in this advent, in this prayer
we cannot repair it on our own.

The minutes walk by unnoticed lips
moving tears running faces release
the love that has been held long back
forgiveness breaking hearts and pouring
light on the core of our beings
we are not alone
Emmanuel, God is with us.!