Buried Windfall

Refrain:
	But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth.  (Mt. 25:18)

Stories have been entrusted to us: stories of healing, of wedding joy and banquets, 
of anthems sung with angels, stories of bliss in heaven’s friendship.

	But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth.

Declarations were left to us: of lavish forgiveness, of freedom in repentance, 
of mercy in the face of judgement, of community in newness of life.

	But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth.

Bells were rung in our hearing: bells announcing liberty, 
peals of invitation to live with generous abandon, of welcome to a feast of lovingkindness.

	But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth.

Vows were spoken, to us and to the world: that the last would be first, 
that the barren would be fruitful, that the grieving would be consoled, 
that the penniless would be rich, 
that the humbled, the nameless and the forgotten would sit in places of honor.

	But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth.

In words charged with prayer, Jesus told as that peace, his peace and presence, 
would follow us across the ages and that a comforter would be our forever company.

	But one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s wealth.

Let this great windfall never be consigned to any grave, 
never be entombed in the land of silence, forgetfulness or neglect.

	Heaven, the source of all real treasure, all such wealth, 
	has called Jesus forth from the fear and darkness of a grave
	to live in us with resurrection light and power.  AMEN.