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Easter to Pentecost     Easter 6     John 14:23-29 or 5:1-9   John 5:1-9 used

Tough love (YC No 194)

We look at Jesus and we see

The light of life in God’s domain;

We hear his call to act like him

In all our joy and all our pain.

The scene beside Bethesda’s pool

Was one of sickness, trauma, tears;

A man was there, who had been sick

For thirty eight pathetic years.

He could not move; his fate was fixed;

He could but drink his bitter cup;

But Jesus, he was not so sure;

He challenged him; he said “Get up.”

Should self-indulgence reign supreme;

Self-pity grow and rule unchecked,

We need to hear the Jesus word,

“Get up and show some self-respect.”

When love is tough and so severe,

But when such love is there to heed

Let us respond and stand erect;

Let strength return; let hope succeed.

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