Zaccheus

UM Pastor Steve Garnass Holmes shares daily creative engagement with lectionary scripture via unfoldinglight.net.  Today's is an expecially perceptive view from the wee man's tree.  Did you ever meet Zacheus in Sunday School?  Check out his story and see if he's grown up!  (Luke 19).

You've got me treed,

held in the cross-hairs

of your sharpshooter grace

up here with all my complications,

trapped among these anxious limbs

(we hold each other nervously).

I just wanted to peek,

to keep my distance,

observe and play it safe—

but now you've named me,

nailed me

(I could just die)—

and there is no way to save myself

from this tree of my undoing

(I could just fall)

but through you,

through your grave command,

your invitation

to become the host

in breaking bread

(still clinging, white-knuckled)

where I will recognize myself at last,

at last let go,

and rise from the table

into a spacious place,

a future I can't imagine

until it cuts me loose.

- Steve Garnaas Holmes


(image by William Hole)