ESpirit



Fighting the Instrument

Often the instruments of change
are not kind or just
and the hardest openness
of all might be
to embrace the change
while not wasting your heart
fighting the instrument.

The storm is not as important
as the path it opens.
The mistreatment in one life
never as crucial as the clearing
it makes in your heart.

This is very difficult to accept.
The hammer or cruel one
is always short-lived
compared to the jewel
in the center of the stone.

- Mark Nepo

*Mark Nepo. “Fighting The Instrument” The Way Under the Way: The Place of True Meeting, Sounds True, 2016.

**I learned of this poem through the October 2022 newsletter of Camaldolese monk Fr. Michael Fish. He shared it in reflection of his challenging 61-day trek of the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages running through England, France, and Switzerland, leading to Rome. https://hermitfish.com/news-letter/ 

-- Kenzo An
Contacts:

The Right Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop of Vermont
bishopshannon@diovermont.org

The Very Rev. Greta Getlein, Dean and Rector
ggetlein@stpaulscathedralvt.org

The Ven. J. Stannard Baker, Cathedral Deacon and Diocesan Archdeacon
   sbaker@stpaulscathedralvt.org

Mark A. DeW. Howe, Canon Precentor and Director of Music
   mhowe@stpaulscathedralvt.org

Jennifer C. Sumner, Office Administrator
   admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org

Barbara F. Comeau, Financial Administrator
    bcomeau@stpaulscathedralvt.org

Katie Gonyaw, Children's Formation Coordinator
kgonyaw@stpaulscathedralvt.org

Grace Jack, A/V & Social Media Coordinator
gjack@stpaulscathedralvt.org