“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
…it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”

I search for the little one
who was Jesus of Nazareth
Jeshua Bar Joseph
Mary grown
Stable born
Roman crucified

Jesus of Nazareth
(“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”)
Itinerant preacher
Gentle healer
Samaritan friend

I search in the great wind
of cathedrals and congregations
but I cannot hear him there.

I search in the earthquake
of politics and persuasions
but I cannot hold onto him there.

I search in the fire
of righteous rebellion
Even there, I follow
what I know of him
but I cannot feel him by my side

I wait for the sheer silence
My deaf ears long for silence
My blind eyes long for night
My fragile arms long for rest
My paralyzed legs long for stillness
My stupidity longs for dumbness

I have had enough of the Christ
So I search for Jesus
My mouth filled with the bitter herbs
Of my arrogance