ORDAINED

How is it with you
now that the Holy Spirit
has claimed you for His own,
marked you,
irrevocably?

Do you know it in your mind,
feel it in your heart,
in your hands?

How is it when you climb the stairs
to the altar and turn - 
when you see your people,
all of us - me,
in our humanness,
our brokenness,
our hopefulness?

How is it with you
when you repeat His words
and God Himself
tears open this moment
to place His own body and blood
into your hands
that He may live in you,
then given to me
to make me whole?

Now
after the mystery
after the miracle
how is it with you?


			Lucille Murphy