Walking Home - For the second Sunday after Epiphany

“Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1.29) 

“He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40.2) 

"It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49.6) 

“We are all just walking each other home.” (Baba Ram Das) 

It is not sins but sin the Lamb subtracts: 
the math is singular, the sin is one 
sin of the world: 
a broken shadow over us, 
that breaks us hard and sharp against each other; 
a sucking bog beneath us miring us – 
to push and grab and groan against each other, 
who should be friends and neighbours walking home. 

No light thing, this taking sin away, 
not just for some by birth or creed or nation: 
if chosen, not for rescue but for witness: 
to shine the light on wholeness for the whole, 
lift others to sure footing on the way, 
and fold our angles gentle as we meet.

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