Judge Not

The congregation eyed him skeptically Long hair, a beard and sandals on his feet Beyond his exterior they’d not see This rambler had just come in from the street He blessed himself with the sign of the cross And joined fully in each hymn that was sung It was soon apparent it was their loss When he greeted God with a gentle tongue “Lord, You sent Your Son to roam on this earth His hair was long and to some seemed unkempt And when He preached, insults were often hurled But He was not repelled by their contempt “And so, Lord, I seek forgiveness for these Who cannot see beyond the clothes I wear I’ll not be put down by those I displease I ask for forgiveness, make them aware “That Your Son sported sandals and a beard I ask You judge them not as they judge me” When the mass ended, the man disappeared At heaven’s gate his name’s on the marquis Some of the congregation dwell below But the homeless man now sits by God’s side For he had chosen love’s path to follow Appearances he did never deride *For Jared's "At First Glance" Contest