This week I’m sharing a poem that I penned about 15 years ago. It’s still very thought-provoking and humbling to me.
Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do.
We read your words; make them fit our beliefs
without ever hearing you.
Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do.
Won’t turning the other cheek make us seem weak?
You wouldn’t want that, would you?
Father, forgive us, for we can’t help how we feel.
Doesn’t love have to start with a throb of the heart?
Can doing good make our love real?
Father, forgive us, we’ve been taught and we’ve learned.
Stand up for our rights; sometimes we have to fight.
What’s ours we should keep; it’s been earned.
Father, forgive us, but did you really say
we’re to love you with all our heart, soul and mind?
And that if we love, we’ll obey?
Father, forgive us, but what you ask is tough.
Do those who would beat us, badmouth and cheat us
really deserve our love?
Father, forgive us, but how can you expect
us to not only give up the right to get even,
but also forgive, love and bless?
Has this method been proven? Can it be done?
Does loving one’s enemies work?
What’s that? You want us to look at your Son,
and the mission you gave Him on Earth?
The world that you loved, that you sent Him to save
was full of darkness and pride.
Though He did not condemn and spoke only truth,
he was hated by foes; by friends, denied.
And the one who was tempted, but never gave in,
lived only to serve, not be served.
Greater love has no man than he lay down his life.
Could anyone claim it deserved?
In silence He bent his back to the whip,
took the mocking, the sneering, the crown.
Between two thieves he was hung on the cross
till with love his life He laid down.
But, Christ did not die without speaking his mind.
He had words for the crowd and us, too.
“Pray for those who mistreat you” had been his command.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
By Lisa Frisch
