The Mystery Continues

Dan Clendenin, from the web site, Journey With Jesus, selected a number of poems with spiritual themes and challenges. I came across this one the other day when thinking about Epiphany as the conclusion of the Christmas season and the beginning of taking the Word to the world. It is by Denise Levertov (1923–1997) and lays bear for us the miracle that Epiphany brought to the world.

On the Mystery of the Incarnation

It's when we face for a moment
the worst our kind can do, and shudder to know
the taint in our own selves, that awe
cracks the mind's shell and enters the heart:
not to a flower, not to a dolphin,
to no innocent form
but to this creature vainly sure
it and no other is god-like, God
(out of compassion for our ugly
failure to evolve) entrusts,
as guest, as brother,
the Word.