Faith Without Words Poem by Paul du Plessis

Struggling to find a voice
to explain the mystery of faith
in elusive eloquence;
hand-writing illegible,
poetry incomprehensible,
argument unpersuasive,
preaching unconvincing,
so we resort to simple acts of kindness
and Christ is personified
as each finds the other
in the wordlessness of action.

A blanket rolls out,
bread is broken,
a cup of water poured,
and the only words exchanged
are those of thanks.

May 2011

On hearing of The Salvation Army programme at Croydon, UK – The Well, which offers a service to homeless people.