July 17–23 ❘ Mark, A Fellow Laborer

Mark, a Fellow Laborer

You might think I’d be angry,
still hold it against him—
our bitter division on Cyprus
when I left the mission early,

his refusal to welcome me
when I repented and returned.
Paul should know better than anyone
the need for mercy to the undeserving.

But he is the same man he ever was:
seared by certitude,
driven by duty, anguished
at the thought of losing a single soul.

So he was a little slow to trust.
Who am I to hold a grudge
against a man so given to God
that he aims to persuade the world?

• To read more of my poetry, visit www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry.

• For questions, comments, or concerns, contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com.

• See Bromfield’s blog post here.