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).
*** Revised Common Lectionary ***
Lectionary Reading:
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Contentment
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
If any line that I ever penned,
Or any word I have spoken,
Has comforted heart, of foe or friend–
In any way, why my life, I’ll say
Has reaped the reward of labor.
If aught I have said, or written, has made
Gladder the heart o’ my neighbor.
If any deed that I ever did
Lightened a sad heart’s sorrow,
If I have lifted a drooping lid
Up to the bright to-morrow,
Though the world knows not, nor gives me a thought,
Nor ever can know, nor praise me,
Yet still I shall say, to my heart alway,
That my life, and labor repay me.
If in any way I have helped a soul,
Or given a spirit pleasure,
Then my cup of joy, I shall think is full
With an overflowing measure.
Though never an eye, but the one on high
Looks on my kindly action,
Yet, oh my heart, we shall think of our part
In the drama, with satisfaction.
*** This poem is in the public domain,
and may be read in a live-streamed worship service.
Hebrews 13
Jericho Brown
SNIPPET:
Once, long ago, in a land I cannot name,
My lover and my brother both knocked
…
Lectionary Poetry is wonderful! Three cheers for those who are behind this project! How can I read this week by week? What is the link? Is there a book? An e-book? A web-site?
Peter, Glad that you appreciate this project!
The Lectionary Poems are included in our free, weekly e-newsletter. You can sign up for that here: https://englewoodreview.org/enewsletter/
An ebook for Year A is in the works, and should be available this fall, prior to Advent. Print books may be available eventually, but we’re still sorting out the legal red-tape around publishing poetry.