All the broken things

A reflection inspired by using a broken chalice to share in the Eucharist.

God you must have quite a pile by now

of bits and chips and discards

among which you take your place

surrounded 

by splinters and fragments 

some still sharp 

with the potential for harm 

some worn smooth

by years of caress

You wept at their breaking

and, when others had moved on

you quietly gathered up the pieces

even though there was

and still is

potential for harm.

You sit among those broken pieces 

recalling the stories

of pain and loss

of hopelessness and despair

of weariness and indifference

You sit

among them.

and resist the urge to repair

that is within your divine gift.

You sit among them

knowing that the brokenness you see

may never be fixed

but may be transformed

by the power of love.

You sit with broken things

for you too were broken 

and you offer your brokenness

for our healing

and your love

for our transforming.