The Reality of Worship...

As a pastor I am constantly confronted with the fact that I am not the kind of person who is worthy to lead people to worship. I am also keenly aware of the weaknesses of our congregation. But what brings me joy is the reminder that wherever we we are, God calls us to worship. He wants those who need Him, "it's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick". That's why I enjoy this poem by Father Killian McDonell so much.

"The Monks of St. John's File in for Prayer"

In we shuffle, hooded amplitudes,
scapulared brooms,
a stray earing,
skinheads and flowing locks,
blind in one eye
hooked nosed,
handsome as a prince(and he knows it),
a five thumbed organistan acolyte
who sings in quarter tones,
one slightly swollen keeper of the bees,
the carpenter minus a finger here and there
one pre-senile writing deathless verse,
a stranded sailor,
a Cassian scholar,
the artist suffering the visually
illiterate and indignities unnamed,
two determined liturgists.
In a word,
eager purity
and weary virtue.
Last of all, the Lord Abbot,
early old(shepherding the saints is like herding cats).
These chariots and steeds of Israel
make a black progress into church.
A rumble of monks bows low and offers praise
to the High God of Gods who is faithful forever.

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (II Timothy 2:11-13)