Lectionary Poetry – 26th Sunday After Pentecost ( Year B )

With the dawn of a new church year, we have launched a new feature on our website, a weekly post of poetry that resonates with the lectionary readings for that week.

* Revised Common Lectionary *

Lectionary Reading:
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and Psalm 93

CLASSIC POEM:

That Holy Thing
George MacDonald

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes, and lift them high:
Thou cam’st a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.

O son of man, to right my lot
Nought but thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea thy sail!

My fancied ways why shouldst thou heed?
Thou com’st down thine own secret stair:
Com’st down to answer all my need,
Yea, every bygone prayer!

*** This poem is in the public domain,
and may be read in a live-streamed worship service.

CONTEMPORARY POEM:

Christ the King
Malcom Guite

SNIPPET:

Our King is calling from the hungry furrows
Whilst we are cruising through the aisles of plenty,
Our hoardings screen us from the man of sorrows,
Our soundtracks drown his murmur: ‘I am thirsty’.
…