For This I Was Born

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him.” John 18:28-38 

For This I Was Born

We come to the end of epiphany's season
when all the world has been given light
we celebrate again all the truth we have
knowing more dark and dangerous days await.

We fatten and feast today hearing the durge
beckoning softly in the background here
on the edge of frivolity and deep despair
as we prepare to face humanity's truth.

We were born for this day and tomorrow
born to celebrate and bear love's pain
born to rise above rumors and abuse
made to be more than victims and slave.

Here is Fat Tuesday and there is the cross
always before us as we pretend and play
we were born to know the divine embrace
born to bear the burden of baptism's mark.