“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!'” – Luke 10:5

“Someone’s at the door.”

“You get it.”

Pause

“Who is it?”

“Two people bringing peace!”

“Piece? Piece of what?”

“Not piece of something, peace!”

“Oh, honestly. These people. Always selling peace.”

“I don’t think they’re selling it.”

“I’ll bet they’ll tell you the price if you ask.”

“Mostly they look confused.”

“What do they look like?”

“Well… tired. Like they’ve been walking all day.”

“If you make your living selling door to door, you’ll walk all day.”

“It looks like they could use new sandals.”

“Tell them to check the sandal shop across the village.”

“I think they’re hoping we’ll offer hospitality.”

“Oh. Really. Is that it? Tell me more. Do they have bags?”

“No bags.”

“A sleeping roll?”

“I can’t see one.”

“How about a second tunic?”

“No.”

“A purse? Money?”

“They don’t seem to have any money, no.”

“Not sellers, then. They’re beggars.”

“Um. I don’t think they’re beggars, either.”

“They are if they’re asking hospitality and have nothing to share.”

“Well, they’re offering peace.”

“Can you hear my eyes rolling from there?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Send them on their way.”

“Couldn’t you use some peace?”

“Where would I find time for peace?”

A conversational poem/prayer based on Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel Reading for Year C, Proper 9 (14).

Photo of traditional icon by Ikonopisatelj – http://chattablogs.com/aionioszoe/archives/70Apostles.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3536332.