Compassion forgotten by religion
Finds a man by a pool – paralysed
Healing is a long way away, over there,
Just a few steps but impossible
Seen by eyes that should know better
Bile rises up, seeing the misery of suffering.
Left by religion, holy days that don’t love,
Empty, hollow, shadows of love’s intent,
Religion that has forgotten its need of grace
Is disarmed by compassion’s voice, and
a question, “Do you want healing”.
Fearless love spoken, where it’s needed,
Where pain is gathered and love forgotten
Holy’s shadow, contained in a single day
That doesn’t love or care or know grace
This shadow avoiding life, speaking hate
Shrinks to shrill accusations – anxious
about its future, holy days with no hope
Are about to die – their end in sight
Because, this man wants to be healed
A stirring, seeking healing and grace,
I want to be healed too.
Do we really want to know healing?
Or is there more condemnation
waiting to be spoken, choosing death
When freedom is right there, ready
to be embraced, if we want to be healed
Why not pick up our mat? Or rise up?
Good news that is not welcomed
Finds its way into useless debate,
Over what is really holy – forgetting joy
Worship celebrates hope, not darkness
It loves to dance and sing and laugh,
It doesn’t sit by the pool, no,
It rises up and becomes the temple,
Whole and strong and rebuilt, resurrection
rising up within me, healing right here.
