Lectionary Poem: Hoping For What I've Seen

Lectionary Poem: Hoping For What I’ve Seen

Long ago,

Paul wrote to Rome, asking,

rhetorically, I guess,

“Who hopes for what is seen?”

I wonder if any of the Romans

answered,

“I do!”

It seems like

when things happen that I haven’t seen,

they’re terrible:

Diagnosis

Attack

Insurrection

(Maybe a sign of age?

I’m writing on my birthday.)

No, Paul, I’ll hope for what I’ve seen,

what I’ve felt,

thank you very much.

An old woman, awoke from stupor,

turned to me

and said:

“I never knew I could love my children so much.”

A not very old but so very sick woman 

said:

“I used to ask, ‘Why me?’

But now I ask, ‘Why not me?’”

So, Paul, respectfully,

I’ll hope for what I’ve seen,

what I’ve felt, sometimes,

thank you (God, actually) very much,

        Gifts of the Spirit:

Contentment

Forgiveness

Love

Year B: The Day of Pentecost 

May 19, 2024 

Romans 8:22-27