Who are you? What do you say about yourself?

Who are you? What do you say about yourself?
for Advent 3, John 1:6-8, 19-28

I’m not the Messiah, although sometimes
I wish I could save the church I love –
the world as a whole is out of my league.

I’m not a prophet, although sometimes
the words I write seem given to share,
and so I rejoice to see them received.

I’m not the Baptist, although sometimes
I baptize a child. Few adults seek
that rite with me: I’m not the Messiah.

So what do I say about myself?
I know I’m a priest, a woman and priest,
although some still say I may not be both.

I’m a poet at heart although in this age
I know that’s a role not worthy of note
in the halls of fame or the heights of power.

My voice must seem small in the wilderness,
where the valleys are deep and the rough is not smooth;
yet I cry, “Oh, make straight the way of the Lord!”

Like John, I am called to witness to light
and so I write words that might touch a few.
A few is enough: I’m not the Messiah.
	Barbara Messner 9 December 2020