The ministry of Jesus is often quoted for his doctrine of love. In the second installment of the Trilogy of Mercy we wish to spotlight that Jesus did not place restrictions or conditions on his comments about love, grace and mercy. However, many of his followers’ place qualifications on his word, which were not intended.
The first installment highlighted what Jesus would do if he was just like us and we take the discussion a step further to challenge different interpretations.
Jesus Did Not Say
Jesus did not say,
To “Love your neighbor as yourself,” unless
Their difference makes it hard to comply
And bias makes it hard to acquiesce
And your discomfort makes it hard to try.
He did not say,
“Take care of widows and the fatherless;”
Unless, the budget is under a strain
Instead of searching for how you can bless,
You rationalize and ignore their pain.
Jesus did not say,
To comfort and care for the poor, unless
You can convince yourself that they’re to blame,
For financial uncertainty and stress
Flows from their actions and goes with the shame.
He did not say,
“Love your God with all your heart, mind and soul”
Unless, it’s inconvenient today.
Why put your future under His control,
When you can prospect for a better way?
Jesus did not say,
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,” unless
The trilogy of mercy are three works inspired by Scripture that wrestles with the mandate of love your neighbor. They are,
What would Jesus say, if he was just like us?
Jesus did not say (which speaks to no qualifications or disclaimers on his love)
The saga of the least of these
These poems are present in the book Daily Resurrections. The book is not a devotional, but it can be used that way. The title refers to the signature poem covering points during the day and during our lives when we are submerged and immersed in situations from which will rise.
Intellectually, we submit to the basic tenets of love and forgiveness. We accept that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. However, we must be reminded about mercy and how it goes hand in hand with love and forgiveness.
The first installment of the trilogy is a poem entitled What would Jesus say, if he was just like us? The poem is good for personal reflection and a group discussion. There is an irony in us expecting good things from God when we are reluctant to have His goodness trickle down from us to our neighbors.
If Jesus was just like us,
What would he do?
There is a matter I would like to discuss
What would Jesus do if he was like us?
Would he forgive unconditionally,
Or from a list he formed on Calvary?
He said, “Come to me all who are heavy laden
And I will give you rest.”
But would he make us fill out forms
And pass a series of tests?
And based on our affiliations,
Affinities, addresses and how we live,
Would he base reconciliation
On if he thought us worthy, to forgive?
If Jesus was just like us I wonder
About self serving parties to mark his reign,
Commanding the lightning and thunder
As miracles for personal gain.
Would he choose disciples by their net worth,
Socialize with an exclusive crowd,
Suggest we store treasures here on earth
As pompous, privileged ones and the proud?
To those who took the more traveled road,
For beating the system would he reward
Those who took short cuts to lighten their load
By throwing their good neighbors overboard?
What would Jesus do if he was like us?
Would grace be earned and favor granted?
Do you think he would be inclined,
To answer prayers with the favors slanted
To those with nice bodies, pure souls and minds?
Touch the hem of his garment for a price
Or sell tickets to let the spirit in;
Would he pose as the perfect sacrifice?
Would he do anything to save his skin?
There would be no need for confession
He’d love us only if and only when
We blame others for indiscretions
And go cold turkey to curb our sin.
Free will eliminated or curtailed;
Abandons when there is an accuser;
A constant companion until we fail;
To not associate with a loser.
Would he charge for frequency and length of prayers;
