Poem for the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany

Love (III)

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,

        Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack

        From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

        If I lack’d anything.

“A guest,” I answer’d, “worthy to be here”;

        Love said, “You shall be he.”

“I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,

        I cannot look on thee.”

Love took my hand and smiling did reply,

        “Who made the eyes but I?”

“Truth, Lord, but I have marr’d them; let my shame

        Go where it doth deserve.”

“And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?”

        “My dear, then I will serve.”

“You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”

        So I did sit and eat.

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The Bible gives us many images of the feast, the banquet that God, who is Love,
prepares for us and invites us to enjoy. Why do we find it so difficult to accept the role of
guest? Do we want to earn our place? Would we think of taking our own sandwiches to a
wedding feast? Thank God we don’t get what we deserve. See the Father running to meet
us and celebrating our home coming. For heaven’s sake let’s go in, sit down and eat !

-Tina Lamb