If You Do Not

September 12, 2023 / Rev. Eric Anderson / 3 Comments

“[Jesus said,] ‘So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.'” – Matthew 18:35

I’ve done it, Jesus. I have granted my release
to people who have hurt me. They confessed their fault,
they offered restitution. I said, “I forgive you,”
and I meant it. We reforged our peace.

I’ve done it, Jesus. I have bade farewell
to consequences that I might have asked.
Though truthfully, I’d never have received them
from these ones who never owned their harm.

I’ve done it, Jesus. I have asked for true
confession from the ones who’ve hurt me, though
they’ve offered only their excuse and not
acknowledged any harm.

And I wish that I could do it, Jesus.
I wish that I could set aside the hurt
that aches within, despite the glib assurance
that they hurt me, “for the best.”

What is forgiveness offered when I’m told
my hurt was for my good, my harm
a temporary thing, when it has lingered
on and on and on?

I’ve done it, Jesus. But
I do not think
I can
do this.

A poem/prayer based on Matthew 18:21-35, the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel Reading for Year A, Proper 19 (24).

The image is The Parable of the King and His Servants by Lawrence W. Ladd (ca. 1880) – http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=14161, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60792927.

Harsh Prophet

December 5, 2019 / Rev. Eric Anderson / 2 Comments

Were I to descend to the riverside, John,
fiery prophet, baptizing fiercely,
were I to descend to seek holy forgiveness:
What would you call me? A viper? A snake?
What would you call me? A coward? A hoax?
What would you call me? Irrelevant? Dull?
What would you call me, religious authority…

And would I descend to the riverside, John,
fiery prophet, baptizing fiercely,
would I dare to seek holy forgiveness of you:
Not knowing if you would bring shame to my name.
Not knowing if you would despise my remorse.
Not knowing if you would discount my devotion.
Not knowing how deeply you see in my soul…

A poem/prayer based on Matthew 3:1-12, the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel reading for Year A, Second Sunday of Advent.

The image is a 19th century wood carving of John the Baptist preaching at the riverside in the Church of the Assumption and St Nicholas, Etchingham, England. Photo by Poliphilo – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80795653.

Today I am with You

November 20, 2019 / Rev. Eric Anderson / 2 Comments

Today I am with you, dear Jesus, drenched
with tears to see the shepherd-wolves, the ones
who bay and scatter all the desperate flock,
rapaciously defending their carnivorous pack.

Today I am with you, dear Jesus,
looking for that so elusive Righteous Branch,
and longing that the fear may fade in those
who seek a refuge from the flood incarnadine.

Today I am with you, dear Jesus, though
I hang not on a cross of my deserving,
save as witness horrified at this:
humanity’s appalling inhumanity.

I turn to look at you, dear Jesus, and
I see your tortured arms, your blood-streaked face,
and say, “Remember me, O Jesus, on
that precious day you come into your holy realm.”

And then, O Jesus, pray: What do you say?

A poem/prayer based on Luke 23:33-43, the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel reading for Year C, Proper 29, Reign of Christ Sunday.

Photo of a Holy Week procession in Valladolid, Spain, by Porquenopuedo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2066881.

On a Limb

October 31, 2019 / Rev. Eric Anderson / 2 Comments