Sumptuous

I’m sure I never looked finer today,

rolling into church in my purple shirt,

fresh off a Saturday evening

of sumptuous grilled chicken, rich onion pie,

and flavorful bacon ranch potato salad,

along with the beverage of my choice.

And then I had to listen to Jesus

get all-up-in the Pharisees’ face

about a rich guy, whose name we’ll never know,

and an oozing-scabbed beggar

at his gate whose name means “God is with me.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not rich!”

I thought, as I measured myself

against Forbes’ list.

That’s when I noticed God’s gaze.

It was a lot broader, and maybe

even deeper, than mine.

I was looking at Gates and God

was looking at Guatemala and Ghana.

I was seeing Buffet and God

was seeing Belize and Botswana.

I was imaging the Kochs and God

could clearly see Kenya and Kandahar.

I was looking up at the “Haves” and God

was looking over at Honduras and Haiti.

Lazarus: “We are not alone.”

So when we feel estranged,

isolated, gated, and afraid,

perhaps it is a loss of central vision –

a failure to recognize our raison d'être –

and a focus on the peripheral.

Perhaps it is time to get back

to the heart of the matter;

back to the table where all are welcome.

© 2013 Todd Jenkins