Centurion

I wish I knew what the centurion knew
who took authority as solid fact
and recognized the rank he saw in you:
I wish I had his faith that you would act,

for I have prayed—“I am not worthy, Lord”—
that all the hungry may at last be filled,
the mighty cast down—only say the word!—
and clamor of our wars forever stilled.

The martial drumbeat sounds with every dawn
and marches on as regular as day.
To those who have, more good is battened on;
from those who have not, all is ta’en away.

Just say the word, O God, and fill these shelves:
Make pantries with your plenty overflow.
Come fill our tables—O, come fill our selves!—
for you have promised us it would be so.

Then give me faith to trust that you will speak,
that you have seen the empty, aching hands
and mean to fill them with the good they seek—
while all the evidence against you stands.

And give me ears to hear you tell me, “Go.”
Give me a willingness as I am sent,
whether to reap the fields or cast and sow
or let my sword into your plow be bent.

And let me someday hear you tell me, “Come.”
I’ve brought my loaves and fishes to the feast;
I did my work, and said, “Your will be done.”
Help me to trust that I will taste and see.

Bartholomeus Breenbergh - Roman Landscape kunstobjekt 00018 0228_Breenbergh 001 By Bartholomeus Breenbergh - https://www.karoline-luise.la-bw.de/kunstobjekt.php?id=39, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75990841