Hineni
by Carl Josehart

It is the holiest day, at the holiest hour and the Hazan stands before the congregation and cries out to God

Hineni!

Here I am!

God called out to Abraham and Abraham answered

Here I am!

Here I am – body, mind, soul – ready to sacrifice if I must

Isaac called out to his father Abraham and Abraham answered

Here I am!

The dying Isaac – old and weary – cried out to his son and his son answered

Here I am!

In a world full of trembling and fear we cry out to God and wait for him to answer

Hineni!

Here I am!

At a time when nothing seems sacred and there is too little prayer
God looks weeping upon his children and in anguish answers us

Hineni!

 Here I am!

Where are you?

Prayer is the language of longing
Of a people for their God
And a God for his beloved children

Traveling on the wings of love
Borne on the currents of faith
United in the kingdom of heaven

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