“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.” – Ephesians 5:18-19

I know the psalm: “The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom.” How did you
not know that, Paul?

(Especially since you gave advice
to Timothy to drink not only water, but a little wine
to soothe the stomach.)

It cannot be denied, of course, that alcohol
debauches so much of our bodies, brain and
liver and good sense.

Yet I would think that you would have
more puritanical advice than this, to be
filled with the Spirit.

I guess old Martin Luther got it right
when he set his great lyric to the tune
of an old drinking song,

And told his critics that the Devil should
not get all the good tunes. Fill up, you say,
with Spirit, and rejoice.

Not fear, but celebration; not in gloom,
but in rejoicing; not in silent prayer,
but in the flood of song:

This is wisdom. This is living faithfully.
This is making deep connections
with God’s grace.

The fount of wisdom springs from reverence,
but gains its height from joy and thanks.
May we be wise.

A poem/prayer based on Ephesians 5:15-20, the Revised Common Lectionary Second Reading for Year B, Proper 15 (20).

Photo by Eric Anderson.