From the Four Directions

Jesus said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:18-30 

From the Four Directions

They have come to gather and pray
seeking peace and honor for the people
in a very broken place, in hard times
asking for health and wholeness now.

Some would dig and destroy for profit
some would use the weak and vulnerable
God chooses the weak and vulnerable
to come to the head of the line and eat.

Those who gather will see beauty and harm
spread out across the sacred hills and waters
a place of conflict and a place of compassion
where the police stand guard over gentle souls.

Let us not be swayed to violence and martrydom
let us be moved to gather up the little ones
help us to fall on our knees and beat the drum
trusting that love can conquer the worst greed.