The Neighbor at the Center of the Flame

 The Neighbor at the Center of the Flame

We gathered around the fire,
each certain
how it should be tended.

One called for greater heat.
Another guarded every spark.

Between our voices,
someone shivered.

The pot began to boil.
We argued over the meal
while hunger waited
with an empty bowl.

Then a hand
moved the vessel from the flame,
tested the broth,
and let it cool.

“Can you eat this?”

A small question.
Enough to turn
our faces toward a face.

The neighbor
at the center of the flame.

Fire,
warm these hands.

Water,
reach these lips.

Bread,
be broken small enough
for this wounded mouth.

At the center stands the cross,
where Christ bears
the suffering we must approach.

His mercy teaches us
to tend what burns,
to lift what falls,
to stay beside
the life entrusted to our care.

The wounded Christ
and the serving Christ—
two as one.

Tonight,
someone cups a warm meal
beneath the city lights.

Someone sits beside him
until the trembling eases.

Lord,
keep us attentive
to the person near the fire.

Give us grace
to make a place
where our neighbor can live.

Emmanuel.
Amen.

Pastor Steven G. Lee
St. GMC Corpss
October 2, 2026

https://www.facebook.com/steven.g.lee1/posts/pfbid0erzJtmoAT1F8dJyZBtZW4woVQY2aUYEp3htUkkrXRjB9u33C9gxD5WPCR3o3JYejl