St. James Cathedral

St. James Cathedral

A few blocks from St. James Cathedral
downtown Toronto
is a men's mission
where on Sundays
lonely, tired, hungry men wait
on park benches
hoping for a warm bowl of soup
and a soft loaf of bread
to fill their bellies
and a prayer
to fill their soul.

Meanwhile,
three priests in unison
on the high altar of the football field
sized church
sign the cross
emotionless
and regurgitate prayers
to a congregation
full of saints and sinners,
the proud and not so,
as we tax collectors
who gather in the back pews
strain our eyes hoping
for a warm smile,
a compassionate word,
and the true message
of St. James:

good works.

Sardonically,
I wonder if you asked
the men at the mission
which would they say
is God's house?

October 2007