Law and Mercy

One sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. Mark 2:23 – 3:6

Law And Mercy

The rules bind us, control us
keep the people safely living
make the steps ahead defined
and let freedom ring for all.

Mercy sets us down beyond
the structure and the frame
for mercy sees where justice blind
cannot measure the real lived need.

So let us be both seeing and blind
judging noone with Pharisee eyes
feeding the hungry on the sabbath
bringing healing to underserved.

The angel of mercy leans in today
whispering loudly that justice is not
caging asylum seekers, small children
naming calling or inciting the crowds.

Mercy reaches out daily and pulls
our heartstrings and tugs our hands
it is time to put aside gavel and scales
and welcome the stranger as family.