A Sermon From The Altar Poem by Bernard Kennedy

Does God frighten us as we gather
and wait on his word with faces sad and
expecting of sadness?
as we wait, Ite Missa est,
straight for the door,
as if a fire, of the Spirit
will transform us, too quick,
and not allow a
quickening. Fear and Trembling,
as we solely listen,
in nervous expectation.
Our religion is individual,
our prayers alone though gathered
in a building, of stone ruggedly standing
on our
mountainside,
quick to the door.
Our prayer
'keep us not to long O Lord'.
yet he answers
psalm wise,

'I waited, and waited on the Lord,
and he answered, he stooped down'.

he waited three days,
and at the right time is holy intervention,

'rush not away o Lord despite our holy speed,
do not be feared'.