All Saints – With Some Surprises (Luke 16: 9 – 31)
that bastard is a saint?
What if
alone in hell, frying on sharp stones
while Lazarus slept on Abraham’s soft bosom,
the mother’s part of Faith’s old Patriarch.
He was canonized
about the fast falling fate
of his equally bastard brothers.
Because he cared
his own do-it-yourself wretchedness.
And transcended awhile
only of others
would think a saint
of his own making
in hellfire trapped
Despite the Gospel
the gap was crossed
the rich man—first Christian—
before the crucifixion
through damnation passing
for the salvation
of those bound to come.
Peter Bisson, SJ
Posted at 01:02h, 07 NovemberThank you Greg!
Franc
Posted at 12:51h, 12 NovemberInteresting writing piece. Driving the reader through a winding road. Could the poem be suggesting that one no longer needs the cross(Jesus) for salvation but that the damned can step on the bosom of the patriarchs foundation of faith by self claiming holiness and getting ourself out of hell. A Christian first with out the cross.
Paul Panaretos
Posted at 07:02h, 14 NovemberGrateful for your good reminder: what we cannot know may well be so!