I was talking with Jesus this morning,
and he seemed a bit out of sorts–
a touch cranky, even.

"What's going on?"
I asked.

"Oh, it's those Baptists in Tennessee,
the ones across from the new mosque.
They are totally not getting it,
not listening to me at all.
I keep saying 'Potluck! Potluck!
Sit at table with them.
Talk about life.
Talk about faith.
Above all, listen with respect.'"

He sighed.
"What is wrong with people?
You can't release fear and prejudice
without relationship."
His sadness was palpable.

At a loss for words,
a minute passed before I said,
"But they're the minority, right?"

"Yes,
but it's always a bit embarrassing
when they do it in my name." 

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.