Gabriel appeared to a maiden
as one candle burned a small flume.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary, you’re favored!
You can give the Spirit some room.
You’ve been chosen by God,” said the angel.
“to lift people out of their gloom.
If you are willing, a child you shall bear
if you give the Holy Spirit some room.”
“How can this be?” said Mary.
“I’m betrothed to Joseph, my groom.
He will not approve of this message
or give the Holy Spirit some room.”
“O’er you shall hover God’s Spirit
and you shall conceive in your womb
a child whose name will be Jesus.
Won’t you please give the Spirit some room?”
And so Mary conceded to Gabriel
permission for God’s Spirit to loom.
Mary bore Jesus in Bethlehem;
the world gave the Spirit some room.
On this gift of a child I ponder
when the world seems headed only for doom
Does my ‘yes’ to God still matter?
Why should I give the Spirit some room?
St. Stephen said yes and they stoned him
His assent led him straight to the tomb
Preaching the Good News is dangerous, friends
Do you dare give the Spirit some room?
The children in Bethlehem did nothing wrong;
Yet Herod prevented their bloom.
Mothers still weep for their children.
Holy Spirit, are you here in this room?
Before we get lost in dark sadness;
Before we descend into gloom;
Recall stories that have given us courage
When the Spirit’s been given some room.
Moses led the slaves out of Egypt;
David’s kingdom did nothing but boom;
The prophets gained a voice for God’s people,
For they gave the Spirit some room
Saint Catherine wrote of her Friendship
with the Lord, whom she knew as her groom.
She’s remembered now, all over Europe
Because she gave the Spirit some room.
Saint Martin de Porres loved all work
even cleaning with brush and with broom.
“Our labors bring us closer to God,” he said.
He gave the Spirit some room.
Martin Luther called Rome to repentance
“Stop this nonsense!” he said with a boom.
“We’re treating God’s people unjustly;
Please give the Spirit some room!”
You and I may never be great saints
Or remembered long after the tomb
But we have the chance to share God’s love
When we give the Spirit some room.
So say yes to the angels around you
Help them to wash away gloom
Share the story of Jesus then wait patiently, friends
Give the Spirit some room.
Amen.
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