Dialogue in the Wilderness
Sun-bleach, and salty tides too,
Now bone-white, mere skeletons of trees,
Green no more – but see how they reach!
They speak like prophets in dialogue
even in the wilderness, even in the barrenness,
a prayer heard, that cannot fail.
Hab 3:16 I hear, and my body trembles; at the sound, my lips quiver. Decay invades my bones, my legs tremble beneath me. I await the day of distress that will come upon the people who attack us. Hab 3:17 For though the fig tree blossom not nor fruit be on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fail and the terraces produce no nourishment, Though the flocks disappear from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Hab 3:18 Yet will I rejoice in the LORD and exult in my saving God. Hab 3:19 GOD, my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet swift as those of hinds and enables me to go upon the heights.
Thomas Richard
Renew The Church! - website and Blog 
Dear Thomas,
Your photograph and poetry are beautiful artistic expressions to illustrate the powerful verses from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk. How true it is that “one look” is often worth a thousand words! Poetry also can “picture” Truth in a way more immediate, perhaps, than prose.
Those verses from the prophet have helped me often to remember the promise of God to “wipe away every tear” (Rev. 21:4).
Yes, like Mary, and all those saints, who walked in faith before us, we must rejoice in God — believing, hoping, and loving Him. Especially in times of trial, we need to cling to His Word. He is working all things unto good (Rom 8:28). He enables us to go “upon the heights” in prayer which is “Nothing other than union with God”.
The prophets of the Old Testament could only hope in the promise, while we now receive Him Whom Mary held in her arms. We “see” by faith Jesus Who is the Answer to our every prayer. We hope now in the Promise Fulfilled in Him, and our hands reach out in grateful love to receive Him in Eucharist. He is our Bread in the desert.
He is our Way, our Truth, and our Life.
Thanks again, Thomas, for sharing God’s Love with all of us, your brothers and sisters. May we likewise bring His Love to all we meet.
By: Deborah on August 20, 2010
at 4:38 pm