I do not mean that all pastors write poems or speak in rhyme, but that they treat words with reverence, stand in awe before not only the Word, but words, and realize that language itself partakes of the sacred.

The poet is the person who uses words not primarily to convey information but to make a relationship, shape beauty, form truth.

Prayer is the most thoroughly present act we have ashumans, and the most energetic:

Most pastoral work actually erodes prayer.

St. John listens to God, is silent before God, sings to God, asks questions of God. The listening and silence, the songs and questions are wonderfully in touch with reality, mixing the sights and sounds of Roman affairs with the sights and sounds of salvation - angels and markets and Caesars and Jesus. St. John doesn't miss much. He is an alert and

The apocalyptic pastor prays.

Pastors are the persons in the church communities who repeat and insist on these kingdom realities against the world appearances, and who therefore must be apocalyptic.

Early church Christians believed thatthe resurrection of Jesus inaugurated a new age. They were in fact - but against appearances - living in God's kingdom, a kingdom of truth and healing and grace.

"Apocalyptic was the mother of all Christian theology."