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How

did the rose

ever open its heart

and give to this world all of its beauty?

 

It felt the encouragement of light against its being

otherwise we all remain too

frightened

          Hafiz (as translated by Daniel Ladinsky)

_______________________

 

I think if Jesus were here

he would say

“blessed are the frightened

 blessed are the abandoned, as having no worth

 blessed are those who are falsely told they are sin, for being who I created them to be

 blessed are the deported, for there is room for them in God’s house

 blessed are those who are used as pawns in the games of the powerful”

 

“woe to those who are never satisfied, for having too much they will lose all

 woe to those who gloat over the pain of others, for those without compassion create a pain of their own.

 woe to those who seek retribution and have the power to inflict it, for in harming others,

          they harm themselves

 woe to those who lie, manipulate, and deceive, for a house built on lies cannot endure”

 

I think if Jesus were here he would stand on the highest mountain

and look over the beautiful earth

and weep

 

“Oh, human creatures, you who fail to listen when prophets call for mercy.  Who seek

 To silence and ignore those very voices you need to hear.  Those who do not

 understand that all people are equal in my eyes, all valuable and worthy.  Who falsely

 pretend that they have more merit than others

 

How I have longed for you to let go of your arrogance and understand that your way is not my way.  That you are calling evil good, and good evil.  How I have longed for you to embrace the way of humility, justice, and love, but you were not willing”

 

If Jesus were here!!

But perhaps Jesus is here

despite the fact that too many of us have it all backward

And too many of us have ears that do not hear

And hearts that are too small

 

and have not been willing

to accept Christ’s presence,

to listen to his words and follow his way

have not been willing to wake up

to GodInUs

 

Thank God for the saints among us

The voices that speak out

The hands that serve

The hearts that ache

The people of courage who stand up for justice

 

Thank God for those people who are

Jesus

In this time

and in this place

 

and who believe

trust

that the world can do its worst

but Love will overcome in the end