Black Robes

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe….Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:21-22,28

Black robes; red cape; white veil to hide the sin.
And every day the prayers at six; at noon;
at ten; and through the night they beat the sin:
again; again! “St Joseph! Mary!” Soon
relief must surely come for those who wait
and pray the beads, perform the deeds, and take
the transubstantiated cup of late
unholy wine. How can those who once slake
their thirst on God’s own blood do penance still?
With souls uncleansed, they seek salvation in
dead righteous bones, as though mute bones still will
have mercy more than Christ. They could begin
to find true righteousness, if labor cease
and faith and truth and Christ alone increase.