The Uninvited Guest - PO

National Catholic Reporter, July 2, 1999 by Judy Morris

   Like an uninvited guest he came
   from cold February streets,
   disturbing the comfortable gathering.

   Elegantly dressed worshipers sang and prayed
   amid pure white candles and incense
   until this unknown intruder arrived.

   He prayed to their God --
   several words behind,
   crossing himself with the wrong hand.
   He brought with him the reading for the day --
   with dirty hands and dirtier jeans,
   his life read from the prophet Amos:
   "They trample the heads of the weak into
   the dust of the earth,
   and force the lowly
   out of the way."

   They eased themselves away
   with a sideward glance,
   filling any space between them;
   to avoid his odor and his eyes.

   No stares or avoidance could protect God's chosen people.
   Who is this worshiper from the streets?

   Finally, he left,
   slipping into the darkness of the streets,
   away from the darkness of their hearts.

--Sr. Judy Morris, OP St. Catharine, Ky.3