Compassion is hard

“Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen

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that face haunts me

etched with pain

dried and wrinkled

from too much booze

and too many nights on the streets

that face haunts me

angry and entrenched

with eyes that burn

that face haunts me

confused and afraid

eyes darting

seeking a love no longer here

we see the faces

and hear the words of pain and anguish

it is palpable

that pain

written in their bodies

and we so do not want to go there

into that place

into that pain or anguish

we do not want to join

our brother or sister there

yet we cannot heal from affair

we can not transform

without touch

compassion is hard

Open Hands

"There is an old proverb that says we are born with our hands clenched to hold onto the gifts we are given by God. As we grow we unfold our hands to share our gifts with others. Our wish for our kids is for them to unfold their hands throughout their lives to release their gifts. Live with your hands unfolded people." NPR interview on StoryCore

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the young man stands in anger

with hands clenched

the young woman stands in fear

with hands clenched

the religious person looks at another

with the eyes of judgement

and with hands clenched

so many people with closed hands

with hands that cannot comfort

that cannot touch, caresss

or give

only with open hands

can we release our love

our compassion

our forgiveness

only with open hands can we receive

love and compassion

and forgiveness

it seems so simple

but

oh!

how often we forget

O Sacred one… help me walk through life

with open hands

an open heart

would not

hurt

either

Inerrantly Valuable

“Part of my soul goes into each quote I write. A book of my quotes can be yours for just $19.99.”

― Ryan Lilly

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why do we allow our selves

our gifts

our talents

our love

to become a commodity

bought and sold

to the highest bidder?

perhaps our love of wealth and power

the great two adversaries

of Jesus

has permeated all the way down to our souls!

how can we forget

that we participate in the Sacred

that even here

as we slog through the deep muck

of this existence

inherently valuable

inerrantly valuable

children of the Sacred?