The call to empathy

To respond to the accusation 

that empathy can be sin, 

that is, rebellion or transgression against God- 

to this serious offense 

I pray for the followers of Jesus

to be completely humble and gentle

patient,

bearing with one another in love.

Not stirring up controversy 

or striving after fame or riches, but 

that they would make every effort

to keep the unity of the spirit

through the bond of peace. 

This bond, wherein we have empathy,

that is, compassion and long-suffering 

for one another, in all our glorious diversity, 

we would have unity.

For there is one body and one spirit,

just as we were called to one hope,

one Lord,

one faith, 

one baptism, 

one God

and one father over all,

who is over all and through all. 

Amen. 

Covenant

Many have abandoned the wives of their youth

Wives deemed mentally ill, depressed, imbalanced, unwell, 

 

They have taken more youthful wives 

They have moved on with their lives

 

How much can you serve a person 

who is ill in their mind?

 

You can tend to their body,

But their soul is cracked,

 

They don’t get up from the couch,

They plague you with special extreme diets for fake illnesses, 

 

You just can’t live with them

You can live better without them

 

And I can’t quite bear it

The leaving of your covenant to pursue one more convenient

 

But I have not been in that dynamic

And I am a woman, so maybe I have too strong of a bias to defend my sex

 

I know that there is great sadness in the forsaking

Liberation for one and desolation for another, 

 

Or is she liberated too? 

From one who didn’t want to or couldn’t care for her? 

 

I don’t know, I just feel the depth of sorrow of God loving one who keeps breaking covenant, 

Until he seals a new covenant with his own blood 

 

And all adulterers and ill people are invited in to partake, 

to dine at the table of forgiveness

 

And eat the broken bread of his body, and drink the wine of his shed blood,

As one.