To Worship

[This poem is dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, who focused much of his teaching on reconciling or putting to rest many superficial points of contention between religious people of different orientations and backgrounds. Also, to Jesus, my primary teacher, or "chosen ideal". (Incidentally, or perhaps significantly, there are thirteen verses; the number traditionally associated with Christ, - there being twelve disciples, and Christ.)

Come if you have Faith
Come if you have None
Play here as a little child
of the Moon or of the Sun

Enter as a friend of Nature
Or of the Nameless Other
Sit without regard to sect
For every man's a brother

Observe the icon on the altar
Or the Light around it shown
Honor God as flesh and spirit
Or symbol for the great unknown

Be strict or full of mercy
Be sober or a sign of mirth
Mindful of your close encounters
Or of an infinite rebirth

Come with eyes and heart downcast
Or lifted up to greet the height
Hold your hands in formal prayer
Or lay them down if that feels right

Keep your visions under lock
Or else distribute them at will
Pray in secret if it suits you
Or like a castle on a hill

Take your place in perfect silence
Or stand and sing a heartfelt hymn
Listen for the pastor's wisdom
Or a wise voice from within

To show respect for hallow'd ground
Remove the cover from your head
Or if it serves your spirit more
Put on a certain cap instead

Hold the churches sacrosanct
As man's God-given homes
Or as no more nor less divine
Than any place a pilgrim roams

Let thy mind be free of care
Resting with Eternal Night
Or else invested and astonished
By virtue of Supernal Light

Come to celebrate the moment
Come to glimpse the life in store
To meditate on timeless matters
Or all that's come and gone before

Trust in every sturdy verse
And honor what is aptly told
Or in the heart that subtly interprets
Truths no mortal tongue can hold

Be led to worship by a whirlwind
Or by a small and simple sound
It makes the merest difference really
Just as long as you come ‘round