Saturday, December 6, 2014

Stones (or AdVent)

Before you demand that young man
puts down that stone or
puts down those matches
let me suggest that you first know
why he
picked
it
up and

ask

(pray, maybe)

ask

If you would speak to
Christ
this way.

Yes, I mean Jesus that
young man of color
born in an occupied state; that
Child of God;
that son of Mary;
KILLED BY THE STATE AND THE CHURCH
who
Got so angry he
turned over tables at the temple
while God was whispering
in
his
ear.

Ask him why he did this,
Even in the face of overwhelming force.
Ask him why he would do this thing that would do nothing
to advance his agenda and could, likely,
get
him
killed.
Ask him.

And, then, ask that young man you see with a stone
That young man you see with matches
why they picked these things up
and 
hear 
it.

Hear what you hear
as an act of devotion, of faith, of prayer and
no matter what they may say or
yell or
shout or
how they deafen you with silence
listen

Listen.

Listen.

Then, pick up your own matches.
Light your advent wreath for Jesus that
young man of color
born in an occupied state; that
Child of God;
that son of Mary;
KILLED BY THE STATE AND THE CHURCH
Yes, that Prince of Peace…

Then, set that candle of Joy aside,
and replace it

with a stone.