Cleanse

Where are we, Lord?
Where have we placed ourselves?
At the foot of Your throne in heaven?
At the foot of Your cross on earth?

What offerings do we bring You, our Lord and Savior?
Is it the blood of goats and rams,
our wicked and our righteous brothers,
like the priests of old?

Or is it our own blood, following the example of Your Son?
Is it the sacrifice You require?
Or is it that which we feel it is our right to offer You,
the fruits of our soil?
We think ourselves innocent farmers
and envy our shepherd brother,
as Cain envied Abel, and where does that envy lead us?

Save us, O Lord, from ourselves!
Cleanse us, since we have no soap
to wash our hearts clean.
You alone can purify us.
Have mercy, Lord!