The pharisee asked – 
“How long must I wait?”
The peasant sighed – 
“Do not hide Your face from me.”
The governor washed his hands
and turned a blind eye.

Oh, how easy it is 
to cross my arms and judge 
their selfishness, 
their short-sightedness, 
their egoic need to be right.

And yet, here i am, 
wondering when it will be my turn, 
sighing in my self-pitying distress, 
and ignoring the obvious Power 
standing right in front of me.

Today,
i am the pharisee,
i am the peasant,
i am the governor,
begging, crying, and living in denial – 
self-righteousness my unyielding embrace.

I pray, dear Lord,
judge me instead 
with grace.