A Poem a Sunday

All Saints Sunday

November 6, 2016

Saint Luke 6:20-31

from
New Revised Standard Version

Blessings and Woes

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
    for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.

22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you[a] on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

24 “But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now,
    for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
    for you will mourn and weep.

26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Footnotes:

Luke 6:22 Gk cast out your name as evil

Ode to Sainthood

Certainty is overrated

through many a dark night of the soul.

Doubt, her voice is ever present,

pushing deeper off the shore.

River Styx where mermaids beckon

-- take your boat or risk a swim.

White-robed ones humbly journey

seldom, if ever, knowing their end.

Dare we join them

in the journey,

the myriad of hosts,

arrayed in white?

Never alone

but in community,

the body of Christ

joins in the strife.

Take no comfort

in your edifices,

walls will tumble,

buildings are crushed.

But a resurrected body

rich with members

ever lives;

enters freely into the journey

of the God who ever gives:

new robes, new hope,

new ways to heal.

God’s reign of grace

All Saints reveal.

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