Each week we carefully curate a collection of poems that resonate with the lectionary readings for that week (Narrative Lectionary and Revised Common Lectionary).
*** Revised Common Lectionary ***
Lectionary Reading:
2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
CLASSIC POEM:
Naaman
John Newton
Before Elisha’s gate
The Syrian leper stood;
But could not brook to wait,
He deemed himself too good:
He thought the prophet would attend,
And not to him a message send.
Have I this journey come,
And will he not be seen?
I were as well at home,
Would washing make me clean:
Why must I wash in Jordan’s flood?
Damascus’ rivers are as good.
Thus by his foolish pride
He almost missed a cure;
Howe’er at length he tried,
And found the method sure:
Soon as his pride was brought to yield,
The leprosy was quickly healed.
Leprous and proud as he,
To Jesus thus I came,
From sin to set me free,
When first I heard his fame:
Surely, thought I, my pompous train
Of vows and tears will notice gain.
My heart devised the way
Which I supposed he’d take;
And when I found delay,
Was ready to go back:
Had he some painful task enjoined,
I to performance seemed inclined.
*** This poem is in the public domain,
and may be read in a live-streamed worship service.
The River of Jordan
Hazel Hauser
LYRICS:
To the River Of Jordan our Savior went one day
And we read that John The Baptist met Him there
And when John baptized Jesus in Jordan’s rushing waters
The mighty power of God filled the air
I’m on my way to the River Of Jordan
Gonna wade right in to the rushing waters
I’m going down, I’m going down to the River Of Jordan
And let the cool waters cleanse my soul
King Naaman was stricken with dreaded leprosy
And he sent for the man of God to pray
But Elisha said to Naaman “go dip yourself in Jordan”
And let the cool waters wash your spots away
So he went right down to the River Of Jordan
He waded right in the rushing waters
He dipped himself, he dipped himself in the River Of Jordan
And the cool waters made him whole
The River Of Jordan is many miles away
And this mighty river I may never see
But I’ll find myself an altar in an old-fashioned church
And my River of Jordan, that will be
Well, I’m on my way to the River Of Jordan
Gonna wade right in to the rushing waters
I’m going down, I’m going down to the River Of Jordan
And let the cool waters cleanse my soul
[Listen to this song:]
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