To simply
bask in ignorance,
to shy away
from facts,
can
masquerade as 'simple faith',
or veil our
foolish acts;
and then
the world will look at us,
a church so
old and stale,
no longer
worth a second glance,
a church
beyond the pale.
While Jesus chose a simple life
his wits
were sharply honed,
he turned
the tables on the ones
who'd have
a woman stoned.
He argued with some learned men
and beat
them at their game,
used
intellect, intelligence,
to finely
tune his aim.
And in the world we know today
we need
that self-same will,
to keep
abreast of politics,
of science,
art and skill;
to use our
words in argument,
while not
denying facts,
then
backing up the things we say
with
faithful, loving acts.
© Andrew Pratt 7/8/2012
Tune:
BETHLEHEM (also known as CLAUDIUS [Fink]); NOEL (Sullivan)
Metre: CMD
HYMNS POSTED ON THIS BLOG MAY BE USED FREELY LOCALLY WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
TO PUBLISH FOR PROFIT PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR. Andrew Pratt lectures at Luther King House, The Partnership for Theological Education, Manchester as a Methodist Tutor at Hartley Victoria College
