A Poem a Sunday

Easter VI – A

May 21, 2017

John 14:15-21 - NRSV

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, you will keep[a] my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[b] to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in[c] you.

18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”

Footnotes:

John 14:15 Other ancient authorities read me, keep

John 14:16 Or Helper

John 14:17 Or among

A Poem a Sunday

Easter VI - A

Abide

Messiah Lutheran School, St. Louis, MO

had picnics on the grounds of a Lutheran

run Children's Home (circa mid-1950’s)

The orphanage is empty

that we played in long ago.

School picnics on the grounds

each Spring; rides, swings,

-- children on the go.

Fatherless children

walked those halls

nurtured by women’s

tender care.

No foster homes

but a community

of Lutheran presence

there.

And once a year

we’d play with

those abandoned ones

as though sisters

and brothers

with us all.

The breeze through

the trees push

the vacant swings

and memories

of hugs and love

hang in the

vast cool air.

Never abandoned

always in care

these children

grew to know

though parentless

they all are one

in Christ

who loves us so.

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