The law is easy, Jesus,
lists to be made,
items ticked as each is fulfilled;
Love is messy,
people to be heard and seen,
consequences and compassion to be considered;
But we’ve lived too long by law –
the law of the sword
taking lives to achieve our goals;
the law of the market
seeking gain without thought of the impact
the law of religion
handing out judgment in your name;
But, the poor and the weak,
the diseased and the lonely,
the rejected and the sinful
find no healing in our laws;
So teach us to love, Jesus, as you do,
enough to defend the helpless
and overturn the tables of the powerful;
enough to sacrifice ourselves
so others may live
Teach us to love, Jesus, as you do.
Amen.