Lighting Lamps

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other
bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13 

Lighting Lamps

For a time we let anger rule
let it seep across us like a storm
raging and howling in the dark
pouting and stomping in the day.

Storms flare and whip us passing on
the hard work is to heal the tears
to take up hammer and nails instead
of picking up rifles and firing into the pain.

Deep faith demands an even deeper response
ready hands and humble hearts, open arms
ready to embrace the victims and perps alike
ready to greet the trembling dawn of new life.

We are soldiers in an army of love
warriors who will fight for peace and steady
all the raging, the pained and the confused
bringing light where once was darkness.

Light your lamps O you who would love
surround the darkness and storm with hope
give possibilities where there were none
bind up the wounds of those caught in between.