All Who Are Sick and Oppressed

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

All Who Are Sick and Oppressed

They try to hurt others in their need for relief
in their addiction and pain blame others
in the darkest of nights they strike out
and the innocent helpers get shamed.

Our pain can be mighty and fierce
our losses so deep and inflamed
that we can think we are better by having control
healing by abusing those around us.

God's hand outstretched no judgement made
an offering constant and consistent
the end of suffering, isolation and shame
if we would but move toward love.

I sought you out for forgiveness
but you gave me punishment and abuse instead
your hurt so deep you would torture another
and send a child on to their destruction.

God's hand is still waiting, open without threat
arms thrown wide for the miserable offenders
the angry abusers and the cowering abused
healing waits on the morning mist today.