Prayer of an alien child

O, most merciful, holy Father --
my self. my real me is only before me when it is before You.
and i am always before You.

A self-confident religious world
tells me to pull off masks. to be authentic.
be real.

Before You, the only one who is True –
i have no mask. i have no authenticity.
realness for others is falseness before the Real.

The burning gaze of Your holy word
pays no heed to a shell. It sees me. me.
Exposing all. Missing nothing.

To call you my Father –
to call upon Your Name as progeny
calls into question the essence of fatherhood.

There are no identifying family characteristics
You of pure sight. i bored glance.
You of righteous right arm. i stealing hand.
You of merciful heart. i dead stone.
You of purposed mind. i distracted lust.
You of eternal holiness. i common death.

A True Son You have.
A True Son who is pure radiance of You.
A True Son in whom You are forever pleased.
A True Son in whom there is no need.
A True Son who speaks You. Who is You.
A True Son You have.

This alien calling you Father has no recognition.
i have Only a Mediator –
a bloody document of adoption.
Your True Son taking on what i am supposed to be.
Your True Son appeasing.
Your True Son made sin.

This alien calling you Father has no recognition.
i have Only a Mediator --
a bloody document of adoption.

Your True Son sent. By You.
Your True Son forsaken. By You.
Your True Son slaughtered. By You.
Your True Son raised. By You.

for me. me.

O, most merciful, holy Father --
My Mediator is only before me when I am before You.
and i am always before You.


Before You, the only one who is True –
Your alien child comes.
bringing My true sons.
Praying.
they will know.
You.
as alien children.



tedd mathis
october 2009