she looks at me through eyes
dimmed by age
this woman bowed by age and life
her vague eyes reflect concern
and her voice trembles
this moment takes courage
“we must get the
young one’s back”
her heart is torn by empty pews
where in generations gone by
young families sat
where people with strong bodies
and clear eyes
would sit with restless brood
I feel her pain
as she shares how her child was offended
by my politics
my choice to speak out on Facebook
against a President he loved
I feel my own pain
as I think of others
equally disturbed and violated by the church
embracing a President they see as hate filled, and
dishonest, and cruel
there it is
the pain
of disunity
of disparate values
of irreconcilable differences
of differing realities
trying to find a way
to worship, and learn and pray
together
we ache for togetherness
How good and
pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm133)
It is like precious oil dripping down
and yet this is so little unity
how we heal this wound?
how do we
in the midst of so my anger and bitterness
so much division
act as a Balm for
all wounds (Etty Hillemun)
when we ourselves are suffering?
how do we reach out
to those we have alienated
and to those who have offended us?
While holding fast to the faith
as we understand it
this is beyond us
the love and humility needed
is, perhaps, too great
so come Holy Spirit
stir in each of us
the embers of faith
fire us up, clean us out
send us tumbling out of our entrenched places
into the street
into the riotous throng
come Holy Spirit
help us to hear each other
help us to understand
intoxicate us with Sacred love
draw us together in our differences
give us dreams
show us wonders
make our hearts glad as we are filled with the joy of
your presence
let us be embraced by your love
let us choose your way of service and humility
let us join together in the breaking of bread and prayer
O God of love
we cannot do this
but You can
so come, Holy Spirit, come
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