Convergence
If there is a place where kindness and criticism meet,
surely it must be a place of love.
We know Jesus criticized often, but was it only
when provoked or did he initiate?
Was Martin Luther King, Jr. kind when he shone a mirror
on bigotry, hatred, and pervasive injustice?
Can you recall an instance when the Dalai Lama raised his voice?
When St. Paul told the Judaizers to castrate themselves,
was this a moment of weakness or loving kindness?
Was Francis an instrument of peace when he tore the tiles off
the roof or John Muir acting against love with his scathing writing?
Sweet Sister Thea challenged with her exuberance for life,
singing and dancing and teaching all who would notice,
but when she saw her brethren on the wrong path
she didn’t hesitate to speak up.
Did Jesus ever apologize to the Pharisees for calling them out in public?
It’s personal and it’s not.
It’s bigger than one person and it’s not.
It’s loving and it doesn’t feel like it.