The legacy of Priest and Pew

Although we see a nice suggestion,
The Bread, the Wine, Holy ingestion,
The Command is made to me, to you -
Remember me when you 'This do.'

Into the lands the sent one's go,
A passed on practice, a heart aglow,
Family meal, the Lord amidst,
Love abounds, the soul is kissed.

Homes with singing, prayer and peace
Joy with gifts for all released.
Family sourced in 'other than'
Was light and life to every Man.

In true tradition, as we were shown,
Men step in to take control,
Family is hung on its tree,
And slowly turns to industry.

The Christ, our Head is pushed aside,
A spiritual induced genocide,
The Cathedra - Throne, is man's desire
Homes replaced by Dome and Spire.

Special now are the kind,
Who can take part in bread and wine,
The ranked and robed officiates,
'Christ's leadership' are 'delegates.'

Hid in some lightened nook,
Meet those who have not forsook,
But keep as best they can "This do.."
They are but small, they are but few.

As soon as they show their face,
The Holy See moves at some pace,
They raise the sword, they strike "This do..."
'They have forsaken Priest and pew.'

Marching on throughout the world,
With war and conquest, flags unfurled,
"In God's name" the Papal home,
Looks like Caesar's Empire - Rome.

Born into this, Men now betrothe,
To raise themselves to hat and robe,
Telling all what God would say,
When to kneel, bow and pray.

As this man-led entity grew,
A stir among the Priest and pew,
Inspired somehow through flesh and bone,
Comes the cry 'Scripture Alone!'

Protesting forth men come away,
Something rising from this clay,
To walk away from all that has been,
The last of Rome's conquest has seen?

The hourglass tells of time and sands,
And sees a glimpse of Jesus' hands,
People free to make a choice,
To be broke by Rome or by Jesus' voice?

"This do!"  This do!" is still out-spoken,
Yet length and breadth there's still the token,
Priestlike leaders still preside,
The laity voice de-amplified

Sip of wine and edge of bread...
"Family! We have been led!"
But still we fail to do  "This do..."
With Pastor-Priest and plastic pew.

Strike up the band! Let's redefine...
A weekly tour of bread and wine,
God will speak through the special man,
'Ill pay as much as you say I can!'

You and I were born into,
A customised Priest and Pew,
Moulding our minds to stand in line,
To accept the church of our time.

Agape meal with loaf and drink,
Equal talking, freedom to think,
Brothers and sisters in a normal home,
Under Christ and free from Rome.

Homes with singing, prayer and peace
Joy with gifts for all released.
Family sourced in 'other than'
Is light and life to every Man.

There is a time for everyone,
To stand before the Son of Man,
To give account for what we have done,
Live for self or for the Son?

I can't know how this transpires
I'm just glad there are no fires!
What will you say, what will be true,
If he asks 'did you do- 'This do?''

Gary Ward.