Sanctuary of the Unseen #227*

Sanctuary of the Unseen In the shadowed corners of the city's heart, where the concrete whispers tales of the forgotten, six out of ten souls, cloaked in unseen scars, bear the mark of baptism, their faith begotten. Within the sacred texts, a voice echoes, a proclamation bold, "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD," so it was told. Twice declared in John's testament, a promise divine, He, who for his flock, would willingly lay down the line. The good shepherd, in selfless grace, stands guard, against the lurking shadows, the dangers untold. While hired hands, in fear's embrace, discard their charge at the wolf's approach, leaving the fold. The predator pounces, with a hunger fierce and raw, scattering the sheep, under its merciless claw. Thus speaks the Sovereign Lord, from heavens high, a decree to rend the silence of the night's sky. "I WILL SURELY JUDGE," so the divine voice weeps, between the sheep of abundance and those of sighs deep. The fat sheep, in their gluttony, push and shove, ignoring the cries of their kin, denying them love. But the Lord promises rescue, a sanctuary to find, for those scattered and broken, left behind. A judgment shall fall, like the first winter's snow, between each sheep, as their true hearts show. No longer shall the weak be trampled and torn, for in the shepherd's kingdom, a new hope is born. This is the tale of the city's unseen, and the divine promise, a future foreseen. Where every soul, whether lost or found, is cherished, loved, on sacred ground. -Written by Steven G. Lee (February 7, 2024)