The Gospel

One night as I lay dreaming

I thought I saw a man.

He, looking on me, loved me

As speaking he began.

In tones that made me tremble

He said, “Let’s walk this way.”

At my protests he nodded

But said, “Come anyway.”

He took me by the hand and then

We flew across the skies.

He said, “Tonight you’ll see the tears

In human nature’s eyes.”

And I beheld such scenes of woe

I almost would forget.

I wept for Adam’s children till

My very soul was wet.

For I beheld a lovely girl,

Younger than even I.

Cradled she a tiny babe;

Her son began to cry.

The man showed me another man.

So bitter, though, was he

A wall he built around his heart –

That heart I could not see.

Despair and anguish gripped my soul.

I cried, “Whatever can

I do against such grief and pain?

For I am just a man.”

But the man was joyful as

Compassion filled his face.

“There will be hope for all,” he said,

“Who shelter in my grace.

“And you, proclaim this word to them;

This word to you I give.

It was for them I died and now

It is for them I live.”