This Soul Cried Out - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

As He is so want to do,
the lectionary was blended
sharing a deeper message,
in the mixing of the words
the healing of spirits,
a moment of epiphany
known to very few,
needing to be proclaimed, shared
that He spoke through the words on my page
the words of Psalms, placed by her small hands, shared
in the hands of the beggar
the blind Bartimaeus, the messenger
of more wisdom
this morning.

At the end of a lesson, a children’s sermon
the meaning of the psalmist’s pen,
merged with images,
handed out to eager hands, then left
placed in the basket, the cup of the beggar
“This Soul Cried Out”, the words of that one verse
how right, how appropriate, how subtle
that this should be the page, out of the seventeen screens
the page that should land, purposely, in his lap
this morning, before the telling of his story
in the adult sermon
his healing, by his faith, the response from
the Word Made Flesh,
He cried out to the Son of David
And was healed

Just as the psalmist knew
So long ago.
I sought, He answered

October 29, 2006 15:03
Psalm 34:1-8 and Mark 10:46-52

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.