Spiritual Word-Thunder: in a thunderstorm in the garden

By PROPOLI87 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91220236

Mighty, thundering God! Give thunder-power 

to your heart-penetrating Word, so that we see

the Spirit-Lightning, and feel its heat-strike

that snatches all our hearts’ pride away.

This thunder-rumbling has power to transform:

God’s presence reigns in times of terror.

This dreadful cannon-blast is fruitful, 

just as God’s zeal is charged with grace.

That wonder-flash, God’s Word, will neither wound the soul

nor weaken the body; to strengthen is his only goal. 

His Spirit-subtlety can penetrate unnoticed.

At times, he is pleased to overwhelm with sound.

Protect us, O God, from the clouds’ thunderclaps:

your Word, although it strike us, will transform us.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.

On Familiar Little Flower, Forget-Me-Not

(According to a German legend, God named all the plants and when a tiny unnamed one cried out, "Forget me not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name.")

(Photo by Anna Rozwadowska on Unsplash)

Lovely little flower, your color points to highest Highness

as if to say “Forget me not, you who are so in love

with earthly vanities that in the end will only trouble you.”

Know this: whoever remembers me can live content.”

This secret we can learn from you, little moral-teacher.

Your petals, five in number – my memory, using

its five senses, leads me to contemplate

the five most-precious Wounds that point the way to Life.

Your foliage and green stems teach that we should hope:

God will not forget us, though we on earth

must endure misfortune and many a cross. 

He will bring us to Himself.

Oh, forget me not, Creator! Help even me!

Does not my hope spring from your word?

In you lies much wisdom, little flower, though so small.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.

Spring-Delight in Praise of God (15): Sun-Praise

This is the last in Greiffenberg's series of spring sonnets. It felt like an appropriate choice for moving from spring toward summer, especially since yesterday happened to be the summer solstice.

Empress of the stars, heaven’s worthy crown,

the wide world’s eye, soul of the universe!

Centre of streaming rays, source of beauty and pleasure,

life of all things, clarity’s shining throne,

light-bringer to all, treasure-house of rapture,

mirror of the Highest (nothing shows God so clearly);

the picture of constant motion in your swift speed,

you golden wonder-well, singular sun!

A ship on which God sends us gifts of life,

a carriage carrying heaven’s blessings;

monarch of time, ruler of days and years,

whose noble presence quickens all the lands.

Beautiful blessing-tree, planted by God’s hand!

out of your blossoming rays the Maker’s beauty shines.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German. (In the online version we've been using for the originals, today's sonnet is paired with the "Little Rain" sonnet we posted two weeks ago, so you'll have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.)

Spring Delight in Praise of God (2)

God opens wide the earth, his treasure chest,

the only key: his Word. Its power brings on

Earth’s sprouting, rooting, greening, blossoming.

It makes the sap rise in the hearts of earth and stars;

awakens Nature to delight and pleasure.

God’s word is the root-spirit, heart-sap of little grasses,

flowers’ breath of life, laden with sweet dew—

in short, it is the peace all creatures crave.

In God’s Word, God shows himself as in a mirror,

and is revealed to us in all created things,

as His beauty beams from every flower garland.

His sweetness flows from fruits into our mouths.

Yes, God’s image is in all that we can see—

How high, how rich, how mild God is. How lovely, sweet, and good.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.

Spring-Delight in Praise of God (14): A Delightful Little Rain

In the church calendar, we are now moving into the long period called Ordinary Time. Here on the blog, the translations we post will change as well: after posting a number of sonnets marking particular times in the church year, we will explore other themes for a while, beginning with one from Greiffenberg's series of sonnets on spring.

Rain does no harm; it multiplies our pleasure

a thousandfold, and makes life more delightful.

Heaven has suckled the earth with its breast,

and the sun’s rays shine with laughter.

Rain is a nectar-sip, desire-arousing sap:

the sun is put to sleep, only to wake refreshed. 

Its briefly-hidden beams bring forth more desire.

(Absence increases longing, as everyone well knows.)

Rain is the heaven-spirit, distilled and bright,

the balm that fills the world with flowered rest.

When God breaks the cloud-glass, joy pours out,

a heavenly tincture that adorns the earth with gold.

Rain is the blessing-wine from the mouth of God:

pleasure abounds, and the land grows fruitful.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.

On The Inexpressible Gift of the Holy Spirit

You unseen lightning, flash of light in darkness,

heart-filling strength, an Essence inconceivable.

Something divine dwells in my spirit,

stirring and moving me: I feel a rare light.

The soul, of its own self, is not such a worthy light.

It was a Wonder-wind, a Spirit, a Creator,

Eternal Strength-giving Breath, the Utmost Being

that kindled in me Heaven's flaming light.

You glance of flashing colors, you radiant splendour!

You shimmer to and fro, mysteriously clear—

the Spirit's dove-flights gleaming in the Sun's pure truth.

The God-stirred pool, though cloudy, is yet clear!

The Spirit-Sun first shines upon the moon

which turns and sheds clear light upon the earth.

Click here to see this sonnet in the original German.

On the Victorious Ascension of our Saviour

Ascend, O Victor-Prince, you eagle of the heavens!

Set your human nature in the glory of the Godhead.

Transform your body’s suffering into the state of power,

give it eternal health for the moment of the cross.

Your human nature now possesses all that was ever yours.

Though in the beginning utterly removed,

your omnipotence now shines through your humanity.

In your double-nature, majesty resides.

All-powerful ruler, who belongs at God’s right hand,

your All-Presence filling everything!

Who will dispute your body’s right to glory?

Worship-worthy Person, in both natures always!

Intercede for me in heaven; help me overcome on earth.

Let me know the double fruit of your ascension.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.