This reflection is part of a collection of responses to the theme: “What is Theology?”
By Daniel Lawlor
What is Theology?
The song of the rainy day
The rhythm when you just want to cry
But can’t
When the internal feelings are brimming up at the surface
And external sound reverberates
Ripples against the brimming
Untying the knot in the back of your neck
The song of the rainy day
What is Theology?
The diner is old and silver
A few blocks from South Station
The sun sparkles through the window
But barely
Barely
The challenge continues
Again and Again
A new guest
A new old guest
A new guest
A new guest
Practical Theology?
Listening to the tear drops by the coffee
Extending a look on a painful smile
A cup of tea as a gift
What is Theology?
We are arguing
About what I’m not sure
And neither are you
What is Theology?
The room was tidy
It’s not always
We pulled up two chairs
And the water of the tea pot
Boiled a week’s worth of stress
Bubbled out a lost smile
Steamed billows holding the first story you want to write
Whistled the song
Hugged herbs that woke up
Burst spearmint aroma against the painted walls
Present
Today
What is theology?
The candles
Flickering and defiant
Against the walls
in lament and rage
The voices and tears
Crying forth the names of the murdered
Murdered, not departed
The candles and songs
Conjuring the aching hopes
of a life web demanding atonement
Under the moon, under sanctuary
With candles, laments and rage
Calling justice
Calling justice
Calling
What is theology?
The union hall is packed
Filled with people who say
“A Salaam Alaikum,”
“Shalom Chaverim,”
and
“Ave Maria.”
An injury to one is an injury to all.
What is theology?
The choir anthem.
The responsive reading.
The sunlight against the concrete sanctuary.
The sustaining spirit that animates hope, anger and life.
What is theology?
Wake Up
Wake Up
Wake Up
There is a tent for the Sun
Where is yours?
Daniel Lawlor is excited to be the ministerial intern at First Church Boston (Unitarian Universalist), and is a Master’s in Divinity student at Boston University School of Theology. A former middle school teacher in Fall River, MA and a fundraiser for early childhood literacy programming in Oakland, CA, Daniel is excited to learn what you are passionate about, and how we can work to build something connecting and healing.
