44: “The Ending” by Ullie Kaye
“Poetry is a nightingale that sits in the darkness and sings.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley (adapted)
Our mission at the Matthew 25 Initiative is to equip and sustain Anglicans serving alongside the vulnerable. The work of justice and mercy is often wondrous and also difficult. Holding beauty, naming pain, and contending for hope is what we do at M25i.
The "For the Soul" series gifts us poetry for a Spirit-soaked imagination that leads to prayer as we turn our hearts towards God.
Before you begin…
Jesus is coming. We can hear the hints of Advent, right? But first, but until then, there are still "dragons," in the words of today’s poem: hunger and loneliness, children without safety, families without enough, neighbors without peaceful homes, prisoners forgotten, refugees far from belonging, systems that fail, wounds that resist healing, and good work that can be painfully slow. Those who live close to suffering know this part of the “waiting story” well. We do not have to look away from what is broken or pretend that hope makes it hurt less.
And yet, we are resurrection people. Our hope is not merely optimism; it is rooted in a Jesus who was actually dead and then was alive—who made the impossible possible. So we keep feeding, welcoming, visiting, advocating, befriending, praying, and repairing, even when shalom feels very far away. We live with realism without despair, and hope without denial, trusting the promise that holds the whole story: “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Pray this poem aloud. Pray it with feisty hope. It is true. And it will leave you strengthened for your day.
The Ending
By Ullie Kaye
You see,
I already know the ending.
Good wins.
Peace prevails.
The dragon is slayed
and the sword is raised.
But —
first we must go through
the part of the story where
the plot has not yet twisted.
The battle is not yet won.
The storm is raging.
The tower is locked.
The apple is poisoned.
The wolf is ready and
waiting in bed, wearing
grandmother's clothing.
But I already
know the ending.
I already know
the ending.
"'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
Revelation 21:4-5, ESV
As you read this, who comes to mind? Forward this to a friend who needs the reminder that we already know the ending. We hope that they would be encouraged to see other Anglicans caring for the vulnerable and know they are not alone.
Would you speak a "yes" to this work with a gift? It would really bless us.
