Holy Discomfort

God means to rattle our bones.

Lest we miss it

a violent wind is prelude to

the Holy Spirit’s dramatic arrival—

no brimstone, but tongues of fire.

(Where do you think Kilauea

got its awful power?)

Yes, the Lord intends

to shake things up.

On Pentecost

Adonai put out the call to all

who might dare to love him

degree of melanin

never part of the equation.

To make it plain

he spelled out his invitation

in a myriad of languages.

Say what you will

about nationalism

white or otherwise

El Shaddai’s prismatic kingdom

beats it every time.

Black or white, slave or free,

Jesus died and rose again

for you. For me.

The Gospel could not be clearer.

This new day heralds prophecies

and dreams of the divine

generously showered among

man and womankind.

And what?

What are we to do with this?

Shout. It. Out!

In this world divided

the secret of unity is ours!

Jesus Christ and him crucified

the body and blood

we partake of

in common.

Acts 2:1–21