As we gathered this week to dwell in the story of Jesus sending out his disciples to tenderly care for the broken and bruised lives close to home, one of our participants reflected on her experience of the tender care of what is inside of her. We have her permission to share this poem with you.
Compassion Heals So Much
I can’t really kick out my demons.
I can’t shame them.
I can’t deny they’re there.
I can’t ignore them
or they just slide out through the next unexpected opening.
I can hear them.
I can listen intently to the full voice of their rage,
their demand for justice,
for protection.
Their expression of power now
as they remember when they had none.
They remember it like it happened moments ago.
And so I listen to their dark fantasies of vindictiveness.
Their sheer malice is a little stunning.
You say (kindly) – Be careful there.
All the sides of that sword you’re holding have very sharp blades. They cut both ways.
But you see the strength of my arms, the stability of my stance. My solid, focused determination.
You say (gently) – You are very powerful.
Use your power well.
And as we sit together, you and me,
I slowly put down my sword.
Maybe for just another day.
Matthew 9:35 – 10:8 The Message
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. This is the list of the twelve he sent:
Simon (they called him Peter, or “Rock”),
Andrew, his brother,
James, Zebedee’s son,
John, his brother,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew, the tax man,
James, son of Alphaeus,
Thaddaeus,
Simon, the Canaanite,
Judas Iscariot (who later turned on him).
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
For Reflection and Prayer:
As you listened to the text, was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention? Gently allow it to linger, giving it room to form and settle deeply in your body and heart.
Reflect on what you heard. Relish the words. Notice how the word or words affected you. Which emotions are stirring within you? Notice what is happening in your body as you linger with how the text is affecting you. You might begin to describe that and choose to journal about what you are experiencing.
Respond to what you noticed and reflected on in your prayer with God. Might there a prayer that rises within you?
Rest in God as you simply be and entrust yourself to God in the quiet.
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