The dust from the day,
calloused and worn.
Worries embedded
like flesh with a thorn.
A basin, a towel,
a pitcher of water.
A lesson on how
to love one another.
The last foot washed.
He gently dries.
Then with love looks up
into Judas' eyes.
Leviticus 16
Carrying the sin of a nation,
expelled and alone,
the scapegoat goes hungry
searching for home.
The fate that's befallen
this frightened being
executed by others,
themselves unclean.
In their comfortable houses
on ignorance they feast
and with hardened hearts
they toast the lot of the beast.
With their sins and their shame
their hate and their greed
on the back of another
no repentance they need.
But just for this moment,
to assuage all their blame,
one goat's insufficient,
they'll need more of the same.
And so on it goes,
by collective denial
ever blaming the other
no evidence, no trial.
Would that our world might know your grace.
Flowing gently through heart and veins.
And receive from it the peace, the hope,
the strength and joy that gift contains.
Would that our world might see in others
themselves and you. The likeness there.
And treat with reverence all creation
allowing all your gracious share.
Would that our world might see its sins.
Humbled by the truth of grace.
And welcome strangers, angels hid.
Would that our world find love some space.
