MARCH MOMENTS N0 5

FOR THE DAY THAT'S IN IT

(Annunciation, March 25th) 

Today,

if you listen carefully,

with heart properly attuned 
to ancient longings in your soul,

you shall certainly be told. 

Today, 

if thus you listen, 

time's afterbirth will speak, 

and you shall hear 

the lonely sound of Eden's gate 

as it closes on the two. 

And today if you remain, 
waiting on His Word, 

and hear the sentence passed,

as the two go forth in banishment 
to till in sweat of brow, 

Then you will see with awe and fear, 

the mighty power of God,  
close the way to life. 

And today, if you remember  
that on Moriah Mount, 

faith was born in the heart of man

and fear gave way to trust,

then all the searchings of your kin, 

the prophets and the saints, 

will speak anew in your own heart 

for theirs is that story, too.

And if today it happens, 
that love stirs you to think

of the little town of Nazareth,

where Mary lives, betrothed, 

If your heart is led to wonder 
at the vigil that she keeps,

how all the hopes of Israel 
lie hidden there unseen.

Then grace abounds for you 
and you may boldly ask, 

the winged messenger of God,

"Gabriel, how was your flight?"

In secret ways, unclear to you,
he will answer so you may know 

God's love did not desert you, 
but followed down the years. 

And the one that's born of Mary 
conquers all your fears.
 

Then distantly, as if far off,

but closer than you know, 

You shall hear the great gate open wide 
that keeps the way to life. 

And the woman's heart that whispered 
that most powerful of words,

bids you too, have courage
and cry a lasting "Yes".