Lent, Day 43: Body.

Today's reading: Mark 14

"Take it; this is my body." (v. 22)

the smell

of perfume permeates the house

(causing some to mutter

"how dare she!" and maybe even

"how dare he!")--

the scent of sorrow

lingers after the oil

has dried

the taste

of bread--unleavened,

to remind them of God's faithfulness

(even now);

the taste of wine--

the cup of life,

poured out and poured out

and poured out, and

abundant

even now

the sight

of an onlooker

running naked

away

(the sight of shame?

of humility?

of vulnerability?

the sight of

escape?)

the touch

of a kiss.

of a sword.

of a warming fire.

of spit.

of fists.

the sound

of a rooster's waking crow.

the sound

of weeping

in the breaking dawn.

this is my body. take it.