Faith on Earth
Pentecost 19; Luke 18:1-14
“And yet, when the Son of Man comes,
will he find faith on earth?”
If the faithful grow weary in prayer
while the powers continue unjust,
will he find faith on earth?
If we cry out in private for change,
but in public hide out in the crowd,
will he find faith on earth?
If the faithful emancipate slaves,
while others use faith as excuse,
will he find faith on earth?
If women of faith come to lead,
while for some their faith limits their role,
will he find faith on earth?
If some worship in righteous display,
but treat others as sinful or wrong,
will he find faith on earth?
If some think they’re exalted by faith,
and entitled by riches or class,
will he find faith on earth?
So I cry, “God have mercy on us,
when our faith keeps on missing the mark!”
And yet, when the Son of Man comes,
may he find faith on earth!
Barbara Messner 9/10/2022
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Barb, poet priest 
Wonderful! And each one fits someone. (I’m not telling which one pinches me to most! I was wondering whether you wanted “while for some their faith limits their role,” to be “while for some gender limits their role,” ??
LikeLike
That alternative would be a good option. I wanted to put something in about LGBTQ issues, but couldn’t get the verse to work. Your suggestion might at least hint at the wider discrimination. I might change the line when I get back. I’m off on a trip in a few minutes, hence the early and rushed poem.
LikeLike