So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood, you have no life in you. John 6:53
So
it is we eat
of
the body bread
and
sip on grape-juice blood;
gathered
old and young around the table,
praying
earnestly
and
trusting in gracious promises
that
the life of our Lord might be found in us.
So
it is I eat
longing
to be filled;
knowing
here is strength
for
an uncomfortable journey
and
the Cervantes-impossible quest
that
awaits those foolish enough to believe
that
the darkness has been overcome
and
red life abounds sufficient for all.
So
it is I eat
and
drink of mysterious life
alone
at tables of uncertainty
and
in places of doubt,
when
questions overwhelm
and
all I am left with is the story of a man
bleeding
with stretched-out arms
suspended
in embrace, whispering in promise
that
his life will be found in me.
