An Apology to Catholics (on reaction to the poem 'Ordination') Blessed among women was Mary indeed To glorify the Lord, His holy seed. The line of David, held within her womb, Writ in remembrance the virgin whom The angel Gabriel was sent to pledge, The miracle unprecedent allege. And unlike others falling on their face, On seeing such a minister of grace, She answered him and questioned how God to a maiden might fulfill His vow. Christ's early promise treasured she in heart [1] And first acknowledged his wine-conjuring art. [2] These things are all set down in holy writ, So do not misconstrue mine ode's gambit. I merely want to poke a little fun And bring your prayers back to the only One Who dearly bought salvation for our souls, Whose intercession for our sakes consoles. [3] Before Him only, every knee such yield, Nor saint nor angel has such power to wield. None else in Heaven or earth commands that role To open all apocalyptic scroll. [4] The Lamb of God is He, the Word made flesh, [5] Divinity in human frame enmeshed. Eternity in Him was temporal act, The Infinite become a finite fact. (I'm paraphrasing Auden's poem here, [6] The twentieth century's bard and poet-seer.) Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life, [7] our Hope, Bestowal not in hands of priest or pope! Actor interpreting God's sacred script, He dispatched Satan into Tartarus' pit. Now Mary sometimes didn't have a clue About her son, what He was called to do. "Out of his mind", she said, "demon-possessed," [8] And though His calling later she confessed, [9] 'Tis pointless to petition her in care When to the Shepherd you may send your prayer. "You who are weary, burdened down," said He, "Take on my easy yoke and rest in me." [10] And when a woman said: "How blessed thy mother," Christ straightway gave the glory to another: "Blessed rather they who hear the Word of God, To hearing bring obedience." [11] How odd That statement may sound to a Catholic ear, They hear the message who have ears to hear. [12] And why the title "virgin" should pertain If it were true her maidenhood remain? Then Christ had been an only child, alone, [13] Poor Joseph had her pleasure never known! If you'd ask intercession of a saint, Your images of wood and statues paint, Then why not John (the Baptist or apostle), Elijah, Isaac, or any disciple (Except of course for Judas with his kiss Who of the Twelve alone denied his bliss) Or any martyr for a holy reason Whose crown is held in Heaven till due season. Moreover, it is wearisome indeed To add your laws to simple Christian creed. [14] For law was nailed with Christ on to the tree [15] And from its tyranny we are set free, Restoring Eden, but this time without Imposing "do not" on the heart devout. It seems my lines upset some Catholic folk But 'twas not my intent much to provoke. Pray deem it not intemperate abuse, Far be't from me my brethren to accuse. (We have a common enemy with that in mind Intent on drawing souls to hell consigned.) Christ's garment of free righteousness [16] we wear [17] Until with Him we rise to Heaven where, Converting into language every groan, [18] Our prayers are fragrance to his divine throne. [19] March 4, 2001 [1]      Luke 2:51 [2]      John 2:3-5 [3]      Romans 8:34; Job 16:20-21 [4]      Revelation 5-8 [5]      John 1:14 [6]      'For The Time Being' [7]      John 14:6 [8]      Mark 3:21 [9]      Luke 2:51, John 19:25-27 [10]     Matthew 11:28-29 [11]     Luke 11:27-28 [12]     Matthew 13:9 [13]     John 7:2-5 [14]     Galatians 3:2-3; Matthew 22:40 [15]     Colossians 2:14 [16]     Romans 5:17 [17]     Isaiah 61:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21 [18]     Romans 8:26 [19]     Revelation 5:8