“One of the blunders religious people are particularly
fond of making is the attempt to be more spiritual than God.”
―
Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC
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“I must try harder”
“I must do better”
“I have tried to live a good life”
“I hope I have been a good enough person to go to heaven”
So the litany goes on
And soon becomes
“you must try harder”
“You must do better”
Which soon becomes
“I am better”
You need to turn or burn
A so those who seek to follow
The compassionate, accepting and inclusive one
Become rigid and judgmental, and tired
and something critical is lost
grace
the heart of faith is lost
compassion
O Beloved One
May we rest our weary souls
May we be held secure in your love…
Like children
And may we
With the innocence and comfort of children
who know they are loved and safe
Open our hearts in love to those around us
No longer fearful
But welcoming
No longer angry
But compassionate
O beloved one
Help us reflect your parentage
And refuse to be seduced by power and wealth
Refuse to be drawn in by lies
Refuse to diminish and minimize others
Because of their social status, the color of their skin,
their beliefs, their language,
their politics
Help us reflect your parentage and feed the hungry, seek
justice for the oppressed
Help us reflect your parentage and clothe the naked
And treat others in ways that lift them up
Help us as those who are loved, lavishly
Forgiven lavishly
Gifted lavishly
To pass it on
This thing called grace
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