Thirtieth Day

Esther 1.3a, 5b, 10-12

The book of Esther is something of a hybrid - a Hebrew original with later Greek additions, some of which duplicate the Hebrew text. For the purposes of reading Esther this week, we read from both versions in segments that fall roughly in chronological order, but the verse numbering will not always be sequential. As an indicator, any text set in brackets will be from the Greek additions.

Even a casual reading of the two versions will reveal significant differences between them. One important difference is that the Hebrew account is famous for never mentioning God, while the Greek text does; portions of the Greek additions, probably because of their more overtly religious language, are used in the Roman Catholic liturgy, while the Hebrew sections are not; and the Greek sections make explicit what is only implicit in the Hebrew story.

1

3 During the third year of his reign,

5 ...Ahasuerus gave a banquet for everyone in the capital city of Susa, both the mighty and the lowly.

10 On the seventh day of the revels, Ahasuerus was drunk after a great deal of wine. He ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended to his every need, 11 to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, crowned with the royal diadem, to put on "a show of her beauty" for those present and for the government officials - she was very beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti rebuffed the eunuchs." and refused to obey the order.

At this, Ahasuerus became irate and his rage boiled over.

"Transcript of Psych Ward Guard #3

(Erasure Poem in Which I Am the White Space)"

by Elena Ramirez-Gorski (b. 1997)

found in Poetry Magazine (May 2021)

What? Who are you talking about? The doctor? He's awful. The meanest. How much do you weigh? I could bench you, wouldn't even break a sweat. The only difference between me and you is I'm wearing this badge. I've got my problems, just like you, believe me. And sure, you've got yours. Once in a while I've lost my temper, I've been wrong, I've said some hurtful things. The only difference is you got to your breaking point but that doesn't make you crazy, we all have a breaking point. Do you wanna be here another week or do you want to go home? Well then, if I was you, I'd mind my p's and q's. Watch your mouth. We all just have to get along. This virus is bringing out the worst in people. Not everything has to be political. We all have a right to our own opinion but you have no right to judge me for mine or shove yours down my throat. Yeah, there's things I don't like about him. But we need to respect that he's still our president. How could you blame all of this on just one guy? I'll tell you what, our economy has never been better. He speaks his mind. He says it like it is. It's like all you people want to do is argue. Where's the civility, man? We need order. We need authority. It's insane, if you think we can survive without police, you're insane. But nowadays I can walk outside and get shot just for being white. It's the truth. That's it. Why are you mad? What, you think I like putting my hands on people? You think I take pleasure in wrestling with an old man? I hate it. I'm just doing my job. Sometimes you have to just throw up your hands and say, well there's nothing I can do. Let God take the wheel. We are his lambs. There's some real shitheads that come through here. I shouldn't curse. I like your group, though. You guys aren't crazy like those motherfuckers. Well, then there's Jeff. Jeff is crazy. Hey, Jeff! Hello-o! See? Nothing going on in there. You guys are completely sane. Jeff's like talking to the brick wall. This is a good group. So you're finally out of here, huh? Well we need to have a little chat first. You're not in trouble, I just want to talk. I'm looking at your discharge survey. I offended you? I was joking. I thought you were smart enough to realize that. I know better now. When these people leave, politics are out there. There's no "power dynamic" here. Why are you scared? What? Speak up. I don't bite. Listen. That's the reality, in my eyes, political conversations are necessary, even around here. You've got to understand that. Look, nowadays, everything is political. As soon as you're out in the real world, it'll be a kick in the guts if we just went and babied you all and that'd be irresponsible. Okay? No hard feelings? See my point? We're good? Shake my hand. Sweet.

Today’s Art Practice

What You’ll Need

From Your Home:

• A Pen, Pencil, or other writing utensil.

From Your Envelope:

• One or more sheets of lined paper.

Directions: Today you are going to write a stream-of-conciousness poem.

The goal in this poetry form is to write something that more closely resembles the way our internal thoughts process; often in a non-organized form. Therefore, there aren't a lot of rules, formal grammar and spelling don't matter, don't capitalize or punctuate if you don't want to. Just write what comes to your mind as authentically as possible.

While there are no rules or guidelines, here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• Choose a topic. I suggest engaging with today's scripture, poem, and art again, then choosing your topic based on the way those things make you feel.

• Write by hand on paper. There are no more writing practices after today, so use as much of the writing paper as you have left. (There are two writing optional activities - if you are inclined to take part in the writing option save two pages.)

• Be different. Write with your non-dominant hand, write all over the page, not just in lines, write from bottom to top. Write in spirals or shapes. Forget grammar and syntax.

• Don't make any edits for at least 10 minutes. It doesn't matter if it didn't come out the way you meant or you misspelled something - that's all part of it. Keep writing, don't erase anything.

• Take a break. After your editing-free writing time is over, put your work aside for a while before returning to it.

• Review your writing to discover where your poem wants to take you and what tweaks might help.

*For those participating in group discussion around this series, this would be a great project to share with one another.

If you like, this playlist can help you keep track of time. Once it stops playing, 20-minutes will be over.

Let’s Pray…

A Prayer Celebrating Beauty

by Miriam Therese Winter

O Beauty Incomparable,

Grace so accessible,

draw us to You

and through You to all that is good

and beautiful and holy

and worthy of our praise.

Daily we strive to be more like You,

O Joy of Our Desiring.

May we image Your beauty

and grow by Your grace

to the fullness of our being

and the completeness of our call.

For this we pray.

Amen.