The Last Are First

And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Matthew 19:23-30

Walk in my shoes awhile
this dusty, dirty road
pebbles fly as trucks pass by
we are the last to come.

My shoes are broken down
miles walking daily home to work
working in your yard, your kitchen
you do not know my name.

My clothes come from a bin
I fish them out at night
pick them at a church basement
gathering for others first
my babies and the elders.

My shoes are tattered
my heart is on fire
love has made a home with me
poor though we are
laughter surrounds us
and we sing as we walk late at night.

Walk in my shoes and see God shimmering
in the night sky whispering love
to the abandoned and aliens
my family my people
we are the end of the line.