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Then let us first of all have grace.
Grace for those who have come before us.
Sometimes they got it right, sometimes not.
But we know more now because of them.
If not grace, then gratitude.

Next let us have some grace
for each one in their own particularity.
We must always strive for common ground
and work from there.
If not grace, then an open heart.

Finally, let us have some grace
for ourselves. Knowing, we too
can be wretched, to use a big word,
or just plain old wrong, to be more direct.
If not grace, then a bit of self-compassion.

And let us, in the end, hate the parts of us
that are warlike more than we hate the other
we imagine to be. And let us say, looking
in the mirror: Have mercy on me, have mercy
on me, have mercy on me. So that we might
have mercy on all of creation.

If not mercy, then love. Above all, love.

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Roger Butts

Staff Chaplain and Chair of the Outreach and Education Committee at Penrose St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Roger Butts is Staff Chaplain and Chair of the Outreach and Education Committee at Penrose St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs. He is an Associate Minister at Unity in the Rockies and a Community Minister affiliated with All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, both in Colorado Springs. A few of his pieces, including Carl Shovel Saved My Life, have been published in anthologies published by Skinner House Books. A graduate of Wesley Seminary in DC, he's a longtime member of the UU Christian Fellowship.His wife, Rev. Marta Fioriti, is minister at Black Forest Community Church, UCC.

Latest posts by Roger Butts (see all)

• Above All, Love - March 1, 2020