A Poet's Day

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘All things are put in subjection’, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

This last day of March is the fest day of John Donne, poet and Dean of St. Paul's, London. His preaching and poetry were moving and passionate, seeing God in relationships and in earth's remarkable changes. Today is also my last day of employment as Bishop and tomorrow I will be retired (April Fool's day seems somehow appropriate). John Donne has long been part of my life, and the Ecstasy was read at our wedding. I have always been and will be a poet as I will always be a child of God and a bishop of this church. These temporal changes remind us all that the eternal is always breaking through our temporal, messy and temporary times. Our eternal and loving Creator is here among us, unbinding the bound, healing the sick and opening new chapters to the anxious waiting ones.

Wondrous Creator, you planted words of beauty

into the hearts of those who have suffered

so they might show your living love here with us.

We are in times of scary changes and feeling lost

but you provide a compass and a resting place

your heart is our home and destination forever.

Put your love in our hearts so we might speak it

put your compassion in us so we might live it

and help us to see you moving in the darkest times. Amen