The Image of her Father by Graham Kings

THE IMAGE OF HER FATHER

For many years in Israel’s womb

The embryo grows, the Church of Christ:

First the Head, then the Body,

The Son of Man includes the many.

For hours upon a Roman cross

The Church’s birth begins in blood:

Crucified with Christ her Head,

Constricted by the love of God.

The third day, from a gaping tomb,

The Church emerges urgently:

Risen again with Christ her life,

Released, relieved, the joy of God.

The fiftieth day, with tongues of flame,

She breathes the Spirit, cries the word:

Conceived, inspired with Christ, she grows,

The heir of all, the child of God.

Graham Kings

first published in The International Review of Mission; LXXX no 317 January 1991

Graham Kings

The Rt Revd Dr Graham Kings is Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Ely and Research Associate at the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide.