If Only

If only
we had a
different vision
of inclusion;
where exclusion
remains, testing, barring
others from their call.

Wouldn’t we be better
closer to his call
for us, to love, love as he loved
as he loves us still, while
we are all yet sinners

Who are we to judge
to hold others as unworthy
unclean, to put on the vestments
the stole, to hold the shepherd’s hook
to serve the world, humbly, as they feel called
who are we to assert any discrimination when
the one who called us, called us to minister on the margin
in the dark places, to the outcasts, to the last, the least, the lost

Shame on us for our piety
may we repent while there is still time


June 13, 2007 16:32
On hearing of those members of the New England Conference
of the United Methodist Church, who walked forward at
Annual Conference, who feel called to ministry, who took
the information cards, and handed in blank ones, because our
denomination finds them unworthy.

Because they are gay.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.