On the Rocks

When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20

On the Rocks

I am shouldered with much doing little
with a burden too large for my inconsistent heart
to bear, to carry on I am bent low.

I was called and chosen but turn away
often I am frightened, isolated full of missteps
wrong words and careless assumptions
cruel and thoughtless chatter.

And yet he chose me to build
to be a corner stone a solid rock
that I am not.

The winds blow and I waver
the tide changes and I paddle away
violence threatened and I hid outside.
Denial and retreat are my failings.

And yet forgiveness flows
and humanity redeemed love poured out
over all my mistakes and shortcomings
all our trials and tribulations
washed and wiped away freed of shame
we can be solid and support
for the love of the world.