Year A Poems

 

For lectionary poems for Year A, please click on 2023 to the right. 

Then, click on the appropriate month, which tells the month any poem was posted.

Bonus Poem: A French Sense of Purpose

This morning the pastor* prayed, 

 

“Give us a French

[and then corrected herself]

sense of purpose,”

but in my mind, I began to wonder

just what a French sense of purpose might be.

 

“Give us a joie de vivre,

a savoring of every moment of our being,

 

“Let us cry out when we awake, ‘Bon appetite’ 

each morning at the table you set before us,

 

“Keep us bug-eyed in wonder, always with

a je ne sais quoi at the world’s indescribable beauty,

 

“May we try not to see each day

as a déjà vu experience, but delight in all things new,

 

“When things go wrong, may we be less apt to blame 

than to say simply, ‘c’est la vie,’ and move on,

 

“Finally, keep us from the faux pas of forgetting

our Savior’s etiquette of seeing you in all people, 

 

“That we might be your avant-garde in the world around us,

 

“En route to a better life for all, 

 

“With you, who are our rock, and our raison d'être.  Amen.”

 

 

Scott L. Barton 

 

 

*The Rev. Susan Cartmell at Amherst, MA’s South Congregational Church

 

Bonus Poem: Gratefulness

Gratefulness

There are two usual ways to deal with the things that could happen.

I mean, the things that you never expect,

Like that chest pain turning into an aortic stent,

Or those radiating twinges turning into disc surgery,

Or your growing fatigue finally being diagnosed as leukemia,

Or your knees giving out, even though you can never imagine that, 

since you can still bound up the stairs if you want, 

but they don’t last forever, you know. Don’t you?

These things, or any number of 101 damnations, could all happen. 

At least one of them surely will.

I mean, you’ll probably die,

Even though you can’t imagine that, either.

Aging comes with its perks, but also its downsides.

And you could dread the prospects of all these things,

Like first-year medical students, who,

I hear, often think that everything they read about is an affliction that they have. 

You can worry yourself to death, which is a little ironic, isn’t it?

Or, on the other hand, you can deny all this,

And go on living as if everything revolves around you,

As if you can take whatever you want from life,

Because, after all, you are special, aren’t you?

Bad things happen to other people. 

But you, above all others, deserve all the good things in life that you can grab.

And yet for some reason, I think neither of these alternatives is the best one.

For some reason, and I’m not sure how we get to it,

(Except maybe by being called to it? 

And is this what it means to have a mature concept of God?)

It turns out that the best alternative is living with an everyday gratefulness:

A cheerful humility about the world around you,

Letting go of the hurt and letting in the forgiveness,

Allowing tears to come with someone’s warm hug because you’ve been missed,

Being astonished by the life all around you, 

in the smallest square inch of dirt beneath your feet up to the giant hemlocks you walk under, 

And being amazed at the gifts of everyone from the kid in the school play 

to the cleaning lady who mops the floor 

to the doctors and P.A.s and N.P.s who are trying to figure out the next best step. 

Gratefulness. What better way to celebrate this season, or any other, for that matter? 

What better way to recognize love incarnate? 

What better way to live?

Scott L. Barton

Bonus Poem: Hymn, "All Our Days"

 

This hymn came about after an organ recital at First Churches, Northampton, Mass. Kiel Krommer played a captivating piece called "Reflection," the first sixteen measures of which called out to me as the music for a touching hymn. I wrote the hymn words based on the music Kiel loaned me, tracked down the composer, Daniel Bishop, in Liverpool, U.K., and sent a request to use part of his piece for a hymn. He was apologetic that the publisher might not allow it, and he was right. Well, the publisher would have charged a big fee. After telling Daniel Bishop that I understood that everyone needs to be compensated for their work, but I just couldn't swing the publisher's requirements, Daniel offered to write new music for this hymn. It's heavily based on the original piece but different enough that it stands on its own. Mr. Bishop even engraved the words and music just as you have here. We owe a lot to him if this becomes a hymn you decide to use.  

I think the best hymns are prayers, which this one is.

Verse 1 expresses a feeling of gratitude for everything that we are, and our faith that it is by love that we live—love from God, family, and those around us.

Verse 2 refers to all the vicissitudes of life, including our inevitable deaths, and God's accompanying us in it all. The last four words are the title of my favorite poem by Thomas John Carlisle.

Coming off the reference to our deaths in verse 2, verse 3 begins with our hope that there are things we have accomplished, and love we have given, that will endure after we are gone. But in the meantime, we still decide to follow the program of our God, believing that God in Christ makes all things new.

If you want to pair the hymn with a lectionary text, one possibility would be 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

I appreciate the comments that a few colleagues made after my first draft of the words. This whole project goes to show that something like this doesn't come out of a vacuum but in collaboration with good-hearted people. 

 

 

Bonus Poem: Hymn: God Is Our Only King

 

God Is Our Only King

DIADEMATA  SMD

 

Scott L. Barton, 2025                                                                                 George Job Elvey, 1868                                                          

 

1. God is our only king in this beloved land,

If any claim to take that name, against them we will stand;

Our forebears fought and died, so all of us would reign,

The Constitution makes it clear, and we will make it plain!

 

2. “Give me your tired, your poor, those yearning to breathe free,

Those hated victims of all wars, send homeless souls to me!”

We welcome in this land, all strangers needing care,

We follow Jesus here because humanity we share.

 

3. Giant displays of strength reveal the inward fear

Of those who think that might makes right, and only self revere;

We trust that love prevails, for Christ the crucified 

From death rose up to give us hope, and with us still abides.

 

4. Making a nation great means kindness is restored,

And diff’rences can make us strong, while hatred we deplore;

Our God calls us to serve all people far and wide,

And how we serve the least of these, is how we’re glorified. 

 

 

We Have No Bloody King

 

Scott Barton (2025)                            DIADEMATA SMD              George Elvey (1868)

 

1.    We have no bloody king in this beloved land,

If any claim to take that name, against them we will stand;

Our forebears fought and died, so no one person reigns,

The Constitution makes it clear, and we will make it plain!

 

2.    “Give me your tired, your poor, those yearning to breathe free,”

Those hated victims of all wars, send homeless souls to me!

We welcome in this land, all strangers needing care,

We open wide our arms because humanity we share.

 

3.    Giant displays of strength reveal the inward fear

Of those who think that might makes right, and only self revere;

We trust that love prevails, for what there is inside

Each member of humanity says goodness still abides.

 

4.    Making a nation great means kindness is restored,

And diff’rences can make us strong, while hatred we deplore;

Our nation needs no king, across this land so wide,

Since how we serve the most in need is how we’re glorified.

 

Year C Poems

For lectionary poems for Year C, please click on 2022 to the right. 

Then, click on the appropriate month, which tells the month any poem was posted. For example, December starts with the Third Sunday of Advent at the bottom.

Christ the King/Reign of Christ (B)—Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37

 

Revelation 1:4b-8

 Catacombe di Commodilla, Rome, 4th c.

When All Is Said and Done

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” he says,

a phrase not in common usage anymore,

so let’s imagine what he might say these days:

“I’m A to Z.”

Or, he might try this:

“I am the start of it all, and the living end.”

     “the be all and end all,

          “the real McCoy,

               “the genuine article,

                    “the real deal.”

Or how about this?

“I am the whole nine yards,

     “the whole enchilada,

          “the whole shebang,

               “the whole bailiwick.

                    “the whole ball of wax,

                         “the whole shootin’ match,” and,

                              “the whole kit and caboodle.”

“I am the unvarnished truth,

     “the honest truth,

          “the naked truth,

               “the full monty,

                    “the inside track,

                         “the whole story,” and of course,

                               “the gospel truth.”

There must be no end to the ways he might put it.

Get it?

Personally, today I like, “I am the cat’s meow.”

Scott L. Barton

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

+ + +

John 18:33-37

 

Christ the King statue, Świebodzin, Poland

"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 

or

And in the End (reflection on the last Sunday of the church year)

I think it's funny that

it's not the other way around:

Like, “All who hear my voice

belong to truth;” I think that sounds . . .

 

Religious! Yet, he still confounds

what we expect to hear.

The truth is that it's all a gift,

and everyone is dear;

 

Those living thus, will love as much—

he could not be more clear!

Still, list'ning to this king

is never easy—any year!

Scott L. Barton

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.”

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)—1 Samuel 1:4–20 and 1 Samuel 2:1–10 (see also Luke 1:46–55); Mark 13:1–8

 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (see also Luke 1:46–55)

Marc Chagall: Hannah Praying to God (ca. 1956)

Hannah's Hymn

 

Tune: St. Catherine (Faith of Our Fathers; Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me)

 

Hannah knew how her Elkanah

Forsook her not, nor cast aside,

He as a spendthrift, even more,

On Hannah, lavished love with pride.

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

Letting loose doubt the Lord provides,

Pouring out faith set Hannah free,

Her wish bore fruit by love and prayer,

And what she asked for, came to be.

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

"There is no Holy One like the LORD,"

Thus Hannah prayed, exulting that day;

Girding the feeble, thwarting the proud,

Love for the world will find a way!

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

Hannah could never know some day

Her prayer would be the model for

Another pray-er who magnified

The Lord, who in her joy she bore!

Faith of our mothers, fathers, too,

Teach us God's love makes all things new!

 

Scott L. Barton

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

+ + +

Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”

+ + +

Mark 13:1–8  

 

New Birth

 

These days,

The cult of personality,

—Like those days—

Purports to be reality,

With many taken in

By blasting hype and rumored spin.

 

But Jesus knew,

That those with his mentality,

Would rage eschew,

Since every nationality

Someday will grin

To see in neighbor, kith and kin.

 

Scott L. Barton

As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.

 

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 27 (B)—Hebrews 9:24–28; Mark 12:38–44 and Ruth 3:1–5; 4:13–17

 

Hebrews 9:24–28

Rembrandt: Boaz and Ruth

Pen and brush, ca.1637-40, Berlin

Christ Carol

 

Perhaps the people who await the Lord’s return—

To deal with sheep and goats, and think he’d sinners spurn—

Should take a look at such a text as this and note,

Salvation comes to those who wait! The antidote

To fear and sin is Christ who saves, who does not hate,

Who is, for all of us, the certain advocate!

So put off fear of what’s to come in death—and life—

And put away the worry that provokes the strife

That some create o’er immigrants, or even Jews;

Because in Christ we have the sure and certain news

That no one is outside what Christ for all has done,

So, say with Tiny Tim: God bless us, every one.

 

Scott L. Barton

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

+  +  +

Mark 12:38–44 and Ruth 3:1–5; 4:13–17

 

Not Ruthless!

 

Beware of those who like the part,

who like the way they look in robes,

perfecting every day their art.

This is the same all o'er the globe.

 

If I forget, pull out this text;

remind me of the widow, poor,

who gave—not knowing what came next—

from trust that, on her, love still poured.

 

An earlier widow used her wits

to snag a man for Ruth (and her!)

while knowing all along, grace is

the gift of what could be, conferred.

 

Thus, Obed, David's grandpa, born

to one who served Naomi dear,

was named for service, like that sworn

by One who, in his line, appeared.

 

If Boaz didn't bite, the Christ

we know might never have been born;

This widow's trust in God sufficed;

Not ruthless, we're by love adorned!

 

Scott L. Barton

(The name "Obed" can mean "worker" or "servant.") 

Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

+ + +

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

 

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Proper 26 (B)—Ruth 1:1–18; Mark 12:28–34

 Ruth 1:1–18

        William Blake: Naomi Entreating Ruth and Orpah to Return to the Land of Moab

Ruthful

 

Three times it’s “daughters” that Naomi calls them,

And urges they turn back, and not proceed;

But step-mothers, such daughters still might turn from,

And for a family of their own be freed.

 

Blood's thicker, say, than water, but I wonder:

By care for this, her in-law, Ruth did feed,

And let not lack of blood tear them asunder,

But showed a greater love, more true, indeed.

 

The love she didn’t have to give, she rendered,

Perhaps to all her offspring down the line;

And Joseph, generations later tendered

This quality his son’s life would define.

 

(Dedicated to Naomi Ruth Cassidy)

 

Scott L. Barton

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

 

So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said,

 

“Do not press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

Where you lodge, I will lodge;

your people shall be my people,

and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die—

there will I be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me,

and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!”

 

When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

 

+  +  +

 

Mark 12:28-34

A Saint of a Different Color

 

We like to paint the Pharisees and scribes

With one broad brush, as if they're all one tribe,

And think alike!—'til such a text reminds

Us even Jesus would not have us blind

To God's salvation in some faithful soul

Who, by our standards, doesn't fit the role.

Thus, those who follow Jesus dare to see

One never knows who's in the family tree.

 

Scott L. Barton

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Proper 25 (B)—Job 42:1–6, 10–17; Mark 10:46–52

Job 42:1–6, 10–17

William Blake: Job and His Daughters (1800, Butts set)

Job’s Non-Hollywood Ending

 

First, Job is told to say his prayers

for his annoying friends;

It must be prayer's required for

the Lord to make amends.

Next, sympathy and gifts turn out

to be Job's grieving need,

Since kindness, not explaining,

all our hurting spirits feeds.

And now we know Job's daughters' names!

And they were given land!

Who knew that such catastrophe,

such progress could command?

These things we need to see, to keep

the blindness from our eyes,

About old Job's disaster which

resulted in surprise;

Not just that all was well again,

but life was fully new;

Thus, grace which always looks ahead

is what will see us through.

 

Scott L. Barton

Then Job answered the Lord: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children, and his children’s children, four generations. And Job died, old and full of days.

+ + +

Mark 10:46–52

 

                       El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos): Christ Healing the Blind

                           ca. 1570  Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

 

No Scarcity

 

I see just why they tried to hush him up,

To make Blind Bart pipe down, and make no noise;

A guy like that is apt to take away

Attention one might otherwise enjoy.

 

But Bart, who did not see the way I do,

Knew Jesus was the answer to his prayers;

That is, he knew he had the right to love—

Which no impediment can e’er impair.

 

And so, he bravely called out, “Help me, too!”

And, sight regained, then joined with leaps and bounds

The movement pledged to show, that with good things,

There’s always plenty more to go around.

 

Scott L. Barton

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.