In Spite of the Violence

You, who do what you say, keep up what you are doing

but choose to do it with our hands.

You who are far above all that is spoken

but reveal yourself in human words.

I believe in you, humbly.

You, whose life force never falters

but still and anew are creating in the nothingness and the chaos,

undo the deepest and most primal fears,

restore the present as a work of peace.

I believe in you in wonder.

You, whose breath passes through us, overturns us,

draws us together and sends us forth on the paths of justice,

arouses angels and unexpected praises,

Integrate us into a blessed and love-enchanted humanity again.

I believe in you, passionately.

You, whose name I do not know but who knows mine,

the good news of your presence bears with it  that of Jesus,

the man of Nazareth and the Christ alive in our narratives,

crazy and scandalous, revealer, passer and healer.

Through him I believe in you, decidedly.

              Dominique Hernandez

              Pastor of the French Reformed Church and theologian