Poem: “In Search of New Resurrections” by Ann Weems

 We in the church are in danger 

of becoming a tearless people, 

unable to rage even in a starless abyss. 

We have imitated a smiling society, 

glossing over the hurt, the oppression, 

the peacelessness on earth, 

or we have become caustic 

and cynical and despairing, 

insisting on looking the other way 

as our church members crawl to the altar,             

the scraps of their lives in their arms.

 

We were created for covenant keeping 

and yet, we are in danger 

of becoming a blindhearted people, 

buying into the system, 

placing our hope with kings and corporations. 

Have we not seen? 

Have we not heard?

 

We persist in clinging 

to the way things are, 

or eagerly placing our faith 

in the newest religious fad, 

the latest book on how-to Christianity 

(in ten easy steps), 

or the current slogans 

presented as though they were 

the Word of God. 

 

We are programming and papering ourselves 

into perpetuity, 

and rationalizing and excusing 

our immortality. 

We spend our energy in complaining, 

gloomily forecasting our future together. 

We panic for positions 

in employment and committee, 

with each special interest group 

vying for first place in the kingdom.

 

Perhaps it’s time for remembering 

that Jesus stood in the Jordan 

to be baptized with the others, 

long ago casting his lot, 

not with the good church people, 

but with the poor 

wherever that poverty might emerge.

 

His name is Emmanuel, 

and yet, individually and corporately, 

we have named him “GOD-WITH-ME.” 

Have we not seen? 

Have we not heard?

 

In the light of the cross, 

the alternative is anything but hopelessness. 

On the contrary!

There is every scriptural indication 

that we are called to change 

who we are into the kingdom of God. 

Where change is possible, 

new resurrections loom!