Greetings to you,

my new found Brothers and sisters

in this new found faith in Jesus,

which, now, tells me that, always,

the intent of Divine Will

has been bent, still,

towards the giving of the gifts

of Love, Forgiveness and Freedom.

A constant and unconditional Love,

with “seventy times seven” offers of Forgiveness

for sins I have committed against Gods law.

And, at last! the startling revelation!

I can be freed from the guilt of the laws condemnation

through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus!

Or, otherwise, I am free to,

indeed, must lift that heavy burden

up onto my shoulders once again,

to struggle on through life,

bearing its weight.

(Though now, since my encounter on the road to Emmaus,

of which you all have, no doubt, heard,

and trying to stand where I am

on this side of redemption,

I might leave the heavy burden behind!)

But, Oh! How I am, still, pulled back!

For my struggle yet remains!

It is but to believe with all my heart.

To accept, by Faith, all my Brother Barnabus taught me

while I huddled in darkness,

this new Truth,

that I might yet,

singing hymns of Love and Forgiveness,

be free to walk the road

away from my long sojourn in Emmaus.

For the blinding light has now softened

to become the gentle guide

through the dark of the night that had,

till then, engulfed my soul.

and now it illumines the path before me!

And all the road signs point toward eternity.

If….

If only I might accept by Faith,

without hesitation,

without a cherished guilt,

that all this New Gospel is the New Truth!

(Though, still, it seems to me to be too simple to be redeemed!)

Oh Wretched man that I am!

Who will set me free that I might hold fast

to the new promise of this new Faith?

Who will unchain me from my sin of pride?

Pride in the efficacy of my good works!

Who might pluck this thorn from my side?

Praise be to God!

For Jesus the Christ has become our model

and through whose sacrifice,

we are Freed!

Grant me, Oh God, the Freedom that comes by Faith!

And now, dearly beloved believers,

remember me, your struggling brother,

in your prayers.

I have, I know,

so many more miles to go.