Up to the Temple one fine day
went one who thought he knew God's way.
This Pharisee, so tall and proud,
with arms upraised, prayed thus aloud:
"How glad I am to be unique!
I'm strong where other men are weak.
I fast and tithe at your command,
and walk with you, God, hand in hand."
Then standing humbly far away,
with no such righteous resume,
a tax collector bowed his head,
"Forgive me, God, I've sinned," he said.
Up to the Temple one fine day
went two who thought they knew God's way,
but Jesus said, in God's true sight,
the right was wrong, the wrong was right.
God, should we come to you in pride,
remind us of our sinful side,
that all who worship in this place
might seek and find forgiving grace.
Mary Nelson Keithahn, a retired United Church of Christ ordained pastor and church educator, has been a curriculum writer-editor, journalist, and lyricist for musical dramas and anthems. She still works out of her home in Rapid City, South Dakota, as a free-lance writer. In 2016 she published Elfie: Adventures on the Midwest Frontier, a chapter book for children, and Embracing the Light: Reflectioins on God’s Holy Word, a collection of meditations for individual or small group use. Augsburg Fortress also published Sing the Stories of God’s NEW People, the third in a trilogy of Bible story-based collections of songs for young children, written with her longtime colleague, John D. Horman. The two have written over a hundred hymns togethe… Go to person page >
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