A prayer for those I want to hate

O God

I hear them spout meaningless words

about patriotism

and justice

and right

and might

I see their faces

arrogant

smirking

like a bunch of teenage punks

bullying their way down the halls

I watch them tramp

as if blind

(and perhaps in the way of love and compassion they are blind)

I watch them tramp tramp tramp

through the poor

the ill

the needy

the vulnerable

leaving behind bloody footprints

mutilated lives

and smashed hopes

as in their power suits

and with their lust for power

they hurry forth to do their masters’ bidding

as on their cell phones they chat with wealth and power

I see their faces Lord

and I so want to hate them

(well, I do -  but I feel guilty about it)

And I so want you to hate them

but I know you are not like that

you are the God of David, who was no saint

and Solomon who was worse

you are the god who called Zaccheus, a man once much like them

down from that tree

and looked gently on the woman caught in adultery

Lord I am confused

Angry

I do not want to forgive them

I do not want you to forgive them

A side of me screams

They know exactly what they are doing!!!

And yet I hear your words

Spoken from the cross

Forgive them for they know not what they do

Perhaps lord they really believe they march according to your orders

Are walking in your way

Perhaps

Our faith can often make us blind, as it did the Pharisees

And all those in the past who judged, and wounded, and even killed in your name

So yes,

Forgive  them Lord

Whether they know what they do, or not

And forgive me too

AMEN