A Stirring of the Spirit

That first morning
she came back from the tomb
confused.

Gone to do a job, they had,
to finish anointing Him
in death.

Expecting to return
with grief unbearable,
knowing it was sealed.
All done.

But now! Her Lord!
They'd spoken face to face -
though something held her back
from finding in Him
what used to be.

One early morning walk
and all is shaken up.
Startling, unknown, her future
beckons forward.
A gaping cavern of uncertainty.

Sudden responsibility bestowed.
Don't touch! It's not anointing,
but words and trust are needed;
faith to go.

Feet running, Peter, John,
the other nine who now will see
their world has changed
for good.

These friends transformed
from fear to hope.
'He's calling us to Galilee!
'There life beyond will open out!'

'We'll find a leader, shape a church
and count disciples, fish for men
to join our cause.

'We'll gather in Jerusalem,
elect a brother, make it known,
His risen life 
will rock the world.'

But Mary stays and ponders.
Slow thoughts tease her mind.
How can they be so sure,
so soon,

that ways are set
for faith to grow
in patterns known and tried?

Half understanding,
grasping something glimpsed
through murky panes,

Mary feels
a stirring of her spirit,
an urge to risk new ways,
to walk a path untried.

Mary in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral
by Elizabeth Frink
"walking from the cathedral to the world'
Photo © Karen Gorham

© Janet Henderson 2014