unlawful mess

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”  Acts 10:23b-29

there are those
who would make it unlawful

for a librarian to give

some of the best books

ever written to card holders.

there are those

who would make it illegal

for a therapist to care

for a young person

struggling with gender identity.

there are those

trying to implement regulations

prohibiting citizens their

legal right to vote.

there are those

who have passed laws

making it a crime 

for a doctor to counsel

a woman about her pregnancy.

there are bills

being signed which

would prevent teachers

from talking about the history

which shapes the lives of

the students in their classrooms.

Lord, in your mercy . . .

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman