Saturday, April 29, 2017

The Baptism


Cold biting winter wind, merciless
in its' endeavors. Scratching, clawing, desperate to win
gives way, once again, to warming spring breezes and
green buds, frog song and bird love.

Light a candle or three.

Death, sometimes slow halting movements,
other times sudden like a unexpected stunning slap to the face.
Now life, resurrected, death spun backwards and on its head
Weak, useless legs strengthened, eyeless sockets budding, growing, filled.

Water becomes wine, the wedding can go on!

The procession of catechumens, an army of priests.
The Archangel Micheal, sword drawn, shoulders back, chin forward,
voice the sound of trumpets, "The Lord rebuke you!"
The enemy quakes, the catechized pray.  They are ready.  Amen.

The bridegroom! Parousia!

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come...
Kingdom here, the song of thousands upon thousands,
ten thousands upon ten thousands sing, pray, worship!
Another sheep for the fold, ten-thousands plus one.

The wise virgins have lit their lamps! 

The waters, oily and cold in the environment clouded with smoke,
open wide their arms to embrace the penitent.
They both hold their breath. In all the excitement they forget to breath!
The voices sound like rushing water and thunder.

The trees of the fields clap their hands!

What will be your sacrifice O! nomore-catechumen?
Some locks of hair? Snip - Snip - Snip.  Much more than hair.
Stretch forth your arms, someone else will dress you.
Stretch forth your arms, someone else will lead you.

Sower, sow your seeds!

Take into your mouth the blood shed for you; your blood will be shed.
Take into your mouth the flesh torn for you; your flesh will be torn.
Juxtapose kingdom, lovely, full of light, healing, life and forever
with road to it narrow, hard, full of suffering, pain and tears.

Mara natha!  

Sing! Rejoice! Christ has risen from the dead, trampling down
death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Sing! Rejoice!  Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you.
God grant you many years - live long and prosper.  

Amen, amen, amen!