My House

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city. Mark 11:15-19

My House

The focus was always on money
to save the people from giving
leaching the prayerful leaders
you sent them away in pain.

When forgiveness and compassion
are replaced by the bottom line
there is no sorrow more deep
in the heart of God.

This place could make us sing
and know God face to face
a sanctuary for the humble and broken
no cost spared for their safety.

But you would charge admission
you would shun those who disagree
you would put out the truth tellers
grinning as you counted your winnings.

There is no winning in God's house
only humble open hearts listening
the call for justice is shouted loud
the horn for freedom is sounded.

This house is for knees and hearts
for those who would love without price
forgive constantly and make room
for those who travel so far.

Those who would make a profit
who strive to own and supervise
their hearts have shriveled within them
they have turned from the freeway of love.

We can be rich in our small humble places
blessed by God with joy and laughter
the poverty of selfishness cannot touch us
for God is in this humble place.