Safe Keeping
June 21, 1997
An old priest stroked his beard and
smiled on me with loving eyes, then
nourished me with time-etched wisdom
"I have found," he softly spoke as we
lingered at the Table
"that we do not change God's people --"
then he paused
"God's people," said he, "change us."
Then danced a new light in his eyes
And now he raced ahead and far behind
me
sitting at his feet while mentors, children
wardens, old combatants crowded round
A company, so great a cloud
in chorus song together as he traced
his fingers
round his finished cup of coffee
And chose not to elaborate for me in
hallowed hall where present clouds the
clarity of memory and time
"You can never give another person that
which you have found, but you can make
him
homesick for what you have." (1)
We rise, embrace, take leave from one
another
homesick for a thing we cannot name
a prize not sought -- that seeks our
souls
Return we now to place of our employment:
House of God -- Christ's Body, broken
built with living stones
"For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the
house of my God..." (2)
1. quoted from Oswald
Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest
2. Psalm 84:10, NRSV
|
