The Hymns They Know by Heart - Nov 28 2023

 

The Hymns They Know by Heart

Nov 28 2023

From my seat

at the back of the sanctuary

I look out over the heads

that still have hair

and see mostly grey.

The faithful have aged,

while their sons and daughters

who need to catch up on sleep

or sleep it off;

who stopped believing,

or questioned God

and never heard Him answer,

don't bother to attend.

After all, kids keep them busy.

They are spiritual, not religious.

They reject the teachings

as hypocritical

and misogynistic.

The pews are mostly empty

as more and more go missing

from month to month.

The congregation

sings thinly

the hymns they know by heart;

weak voices

bad lungs.

But even here, there are few true believers.

Most of them

come for the company,

the friendly chat

over tepid coffee and stale cake

that follows the formalities.

And in a headlong world

of bewildering change

the ritual is a comfort,

Sunday after Sunday

anchoring the week.

Privately, they may think about meaning

justice

an afterlife,

but no one's debating

the fine points of theology.

They talk as they've always done;

grandkids

and innocent gossip,

doctor visits

and winter holidays.

Sports, of course

and sometimes even politics;

but watchfully

because no one wants a fight.

The young people

who will live forever

and are busy with important lives

put in appearances

on Easter and Christmas.

For weddings and christenings.

And to pay their respects

at the funerals and wakes.

That seem to come

more frequently these days.

Death, the great leveller

for both the pious and profane

as well as the unsure.

When even atheists go to church.

Following along

by holding the prayer book and mouthing the words

a little after they're said,

but surprised to find

they're singing the songs

and know the hymns by heart.