Holy One,
shock and save me with the terrible goodness of this Friday,
and drive me deep into my longing for your kingdom,
until I see it first-
yet not first for myself,
but for the hungry,
and the sick
and the poor of your children,
for the prisoners of conscience around the world,
for those I have wasted
with my racism
and sexism
and ageism
and nationalism
and religionism
for those around this mother earth and in this city
who, this Friday know far more of terror then of goodness,
than, in my seeking first the kingdom
for them as well as for myself
all these things may be mine as well;
things like a coat and courage
and something like comfort,
a few lilies in the field,
the sight of birds, soaring on the wind,
a song in the night,
and gladness of heart,
the sense of your presence
and the realization of your promise
that nothing in life or death
will be able to separate me or those I love,
from your love,
in the crucified one who is our Lord,
in whose name and spirit I pray.
Ted Loder
