Baptism of the ark

After I Peter 3:18-22

The eight remained inside,

riding the waves, tending

to the animals, shut up

inside against the rain

and flood. The boat 

heaved and rocked

with the waves, as 

the eight, with only

a spiritual rudder,

sailed through day

and night. The waters

washed all away,

all the evil that had

flourished, all the sin

that had taken place.

It was perhaps

the first baptism.

 

Photograph by Hans Isaacson via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

Love is patient – Kim Barnes at CDM Women’s Ministry.

The writing process: a mysterious and marvelous charisma – Michael A.G. Azad Haykin at Historia ecclesiastica: e-history. 

'Such were the works of Walsingham' - Paul Kingsnorth at The Abbey of Misrule.

Water, twice

The child felt the sprinkle

of the few cool drops, wetness,

momentary but slight,

sufficient, however, to elicit

a cry, momentary but slight.

The man felt the water

rush over his head, pushing

downward, then pulled

upward, water pouring

from his hair, his shoulders,

only a moment but sufficient

to remember the sprinkle.

Photograph by Maliz Ong via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.