Pentecost 2020

Source: saintcyrilschurch

a second story
fear of Empire
and its second-hand crush
had thaem up
all night huddled
in a room
trying to constitute
community
draft after draft
no consensus
inch by inch
gaining/losing ground
in the holy war
of visionary wills
assuming the true
disciple’s right
of leadership
in the absence of the captain.

scenes like these
are the tired liturgies
of every back-to-business
boardroom
post-crisis du jour.

but suddenly
all healing breaks loose
and blows away
the embattled postures.
there’s no more sitting down
no more heels digging in
but now only dancing
do-si-do
swinging partners
being swung
one big single body
calling steps
and stepping them
at the very same time
that every mind
flashes with the very same truth:
SPIRIT!
This is it!
the missing link
the awaited glue
the sewing sinew
making all legs leap
together
as never before
the Lord sent in
the blowsy choreographer.

Of course, all that talk
in tongues
was also good fun
and free
and full of the most
uncommon
communal wisdoms.
Everyone said the same thing:
FANTASTIC MEETING!
Every smile agreed:
this was the seed
to some serious growth
sowed in wild hilarity.

What a kick-off
knock-out
Pentecostal Party!

And listen,
if you sit real quiet
you’ll still feel
(even to this day)
the twitching in your legs.

Greg Kennedy, SJ works as a spiritual director at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario. He is author of Reupholstered Psalms volumes I, II, and III; and Amazing Friendships between Animals and Saints (Novalis Press).

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5 Comments
  • Olga Protz
    Posted at 07:24h, 02 June Reply

    So loved this Greg! Thank you

  • Peter Bisson SJ
    Posted at 08:01h, 02 June Reply

    Oh Greg thank you so much! My Zoom fatigue has just evaporated into inspiration! Poof!!!

  • Bill Clarke, sj
    Posted at 11:26h, 02 June Reply

    Thanks Greg. Yes the all-consuming joy of Spirit.

  • Alana Forrester
    Posted at 11:55h, 02 June Reply

    May I have this dance, O Spirit? Thank you, Greg.

  • Priscilla Solomon
    Posted at 17:04h, 02 June Reply

    Thanks Greg,
    Your poem makes the scripture come alive for me in a lively and creative way.
    It speaks to me of the energy that comes with the Spirit – an energy we all need. Blessings. Pris

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