Entrails

We’re in a Leviticus teaching series at church. Among other WOW moments lies this nugget: Having received what to us seem laborious instructions (AKA rules); the people received this assurance: the offering you bring will be pleasing to God. Having wondered long exactly what differed between Cain and Abel’s gifts of worship; and considered my own fresh loaves basketed with surely-smelly fish; this assurance seems no small thing. Anyway, all that is only to invite you, if interested, to listen in: hcbellingham.com.

The following is a sermon response to Leviticus 16

Day of Atonement; Entrails
I wonder if a Levitical priest ever were squeamish;
   averse to blood, fat lobules, entrails…
Life’s most vulnerable parts—offered up.
And if we bend to lay this fragile offering,
We will tumble all the way down
Into be-longing.

Are we squeamish?
Reluctant to engage our most vulnerable place-holders
Let alone hold them open for other eyes—
To gawk, scorn, press us into shame.
We are practiced at slinging shame.

Will you let holy fire lick your wound?
(Tho cauterizing will not stop the pain)
You will surely feel it when nerve endings begin regrowth:
When we, on our Day of Atonement—
   suddenly brave with Christ—
Exhale on, “Why have you abandoned me?”

Perhaps if the whole congregation holds these words…
   Communal hands;
Then grace will flow that leads to healing.

jfig     10/2023