Renewing our Baptism

In Puerto Rico,
the old baptizer’s saints day
is the greatest of celebrations.

On Fiesta de San Juan Bautista,
people gather at the beaches
and at midnight
the walk backward into the ocean
and let themselves fall.

This is my image of faith
become real in the waters,
trusting in the hope of rebirth.

In the wake of earthquake
upon earthquake upon earthquake
upon hurricane,
let all the world pause
at the courage, the sacrament
of falling into loving arms,

and reach out our hands
to become part of the holy web.