We live the long stretch between
Easter and Pentecost, scarcely noticing.
We hear mention of the odd claim of ascension.
We easily recite the creed,
"He ascended into heaven."
We bow before such quaint language and move on,
immune to ascent,
indifferent to enthronement,
unresponsive to new governance.
It is reported that behind the ascending son was
the majestic Father riding the clouds,
But we do not look up much;
we stay close to the ground, to business and
to busyness,
to management and control.
Our world of well-being has very low
ceiling, but we do not mind the closeness
or notice the restrictiveness.
It will take at least a Pentecost wind to
break open our vision enough to imagine new government.
We will regularly say the creed
and from time to time---in crises that
drive us to hope and to wish---
wait for a new descent of the spirit among us.
Until then, we stay jaded,
but for all that,
no less candidates for newness.
Walter Brueggemann, Prayers for a Privileged People
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