Apostolic Succession

My humility wanes
as I scoff at a seminarian’s
pride. This would-be

Fr. Whatawaste, with his fetching smile,
trim physique, and trendy facial hair
disenchanted me the moment he said

-Nuns should go back to
the cloister where they belong.

-Transgender people are like a game of
Twister. Who knows where they’ll land next?

-I would rather throw away leftover food than
fall weak to the deadly sin of gluttony.

-It’s ok to ban abortion without addressing
issues that make women feel helpless.

He tells me that my theology is bullshit.
I have no proper concept of sin.
Silent transubstantiation trumps
action for justice and peace.

One day, he will shepherd the flock and use the
name of God to trim away the wool of those who
question or doubt or think with reason.

I will be there with my band of dissident sheep,
knitting fallen pieces of hope into a healing
tapestry of acceptance, joy, and incarnational love.