Worst Things First

It was inevitable that I should come.
“Bring one of the children here,” Jesus said.

So I brought the Lord our fellow John,
     But he was too fawning;
And I brought the Lord the brother James,
     But he was far too thundrous;
Andrew brought himself
     As he is so pushy;
Philip came after much thought,
     But he was too, well, grown up;
Matthew approached with interest, naturally—
     And Jesus found him calculating;
Judas was busy with his schemes,
Simon rebelled,
And Thomas… well, you’d call him
     Many things but never trusting.

But it was inevitable that I should also come
     And prove to be a stumbling rock:

     Lads & lasses, come to me!
     Yes, come singing and dancing!
     Come to my open, undespising arms!
     Cups of water, cool water for all!

     O, my brothers have offended me
     But I shall not bear a grudge! Not I!
     I’ll forgive all ninety-nine—plus one!—
     Seventy-six—plus one!—times! Each!

Asks the psalmist:
     What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Ask I, the apist:
     What if we have not been on his?

Have patience with us, Master—
We shall repay all, as we have been repaid.

It was inevitable that I should come.
And I was the last.

Yes, I came last.
     Be mindful of that.