by Andrew Stephens-Rennie
A reflection on Romans 15:1-13
Wine Before Breakfast
Originally Delivered March 13, 2007
Jesus cries out,
battered and bruised
in the garden of torment, sweat, and blood he prays:
Take this cup from me.
Will you take the cup?
[silence]
I know he thinks we’re worthy of trust
But I’m scared
And I’m scared we’ll get scared
And nail him up again
[silence]
Two thousand years and an atom bomb away
We once used wood and nails
And now, we turn out hate in factories
[silence]
Who among us can bear the cup?
And yet Jesus asks again:
Take this cup from me.
Will you take my cup?
[silence]
Two thousand years and an atom bomb away
We once divided the world Gentile from Jew, Slave from Free
And now, we divide it by sexuality
[silence]
Who among us can bear the cross?
And Jesus asks again:
Take this cross from me.
Will you carry my cross?
[silence]
What dignity will you sacrifice to bring unity?
What cross will you carry to bring the gift of life?
Whose cup will you drink to live in peace?
[With thanks to Bruce Cockburn, Brand New, and Matthew's Gospel]
