it is the deepest teaching of
them all
that a sacrifice must come
before the blessing

yet many
are stopped by It

to receive the chrism
of Blood
which saves and erases
what was
transforms those who ask for It
into a blank slate
with a tender heart
and an open eye

because
surrender makes Whole
makes Holy
the anointed

for
Sacrifice must come
before
Blessing



c. 2024 Roberta Compton Rainwater