Something New

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 

Mark 8:27-33

How could we know what “Christ” would mean
before you showed the way?
What could we think of but a king
to hold eternal sway?

It wasn't 'til you touched our ears
(since Eden, deaf to you)
that heart could grasp or we could hear
what you have done is new.

Our eyes could never see your face
until you opened them,
not just in healing but in grace,
in weeping at your end.

(How could we know of death's defeat
before you rose to show?
Not since the serpent spoke to Eve
was there aught else to know.)

Then touch our ears again today,
and give us eyes to see
there are new worlds in all you say,
new grace and mystery.

Our minds can know and hearts can feel—
if you have touched them, too—
beyond the lessons of the years,
you will do something new.