And to the amazement of all

For our third Lenten community gathering we were asked to choose our favorite story from 40 Stories to Stir the Soul our Lenten reading. Here was mine, #39: "A handful of wheat grains was found in the tomb of the ancient Egyptian kings. The grains were five thousand years old. Someone planted the grains and watered them. And to the amazement of all, the grains came to life and sprouted. After five thousand years!"

We were given a choice of five groups to join for expressing and sharing: drama, art, song, poetry or dance. I chose poetry--not wanting to miss the rare opportunity. Here was one of our "exercises": One line from each story was given and we were to write it five times and finish the phrase. From #39 the line was: And to the amazement of all...

An apt beginning for your Holy Week, try this "spiritual exercise." Here's a start for you:
1. And to the amazement of all,
the grains came to life.
2. And to the amazement of all,
the maimed child spoke of peace.
3.
4.
5.