Long Suffering

The kingdom of heaven is like a healer
Who went out early in the morning
Seeking those in need of aid

He came to the pool of Siloam
Stirring the waters for those in pain
He went out again at about the third hour
And found a man paralyzed
He caused him to walk once more
Sending him on his way
Again he went out at the sixth hour
And met a woman who had bled for twelve years
A woman healed at the touch of his cloak
About the eleventh hour he went out
And mixing mud with dust and spit
Caused a man born blind to see

When evening came he called his servant
Saying, “What has become of those I touched?”
“Some are with us now, my Lord,” said he
“While some have returned to their old lives
Some have presented themselves at the temple
And others have gone to their homes praising your name”

When night fell the healer heard a voice
A prayer from a tent pitched outside the house
“Lord, when will this suffering end?” cried a man
“My wife lies in my arms tonight
As she has lo these twenty years
When will you show mercy?
Her bones are like dry twigs
And snap when she but breathes
Her appetite has left her entirely
Choice foods are but gall and wormwood
Her energy is all but gone
And she succumbs to sleep at mid-day
Yet her spirit has not forsaken you
Still she lives in hope of rebirth
Will you not hear her pleas?”

The healer answered and called to the woman
“Child, do you feel that I am doing you wrong
Because I have sought out others to heal?
Yes, you have your afflictions
But my desire for the lame and the leprous
Is the same as my desire for you
Would it not be as right to heal tomorrow
As to make you whole today?
Would deliverance in a fortnight suffice?
What promise of restoration will you accept?
Can you believe that perseverance serves me too?
Might you walk in pain until I call you home
Or do you begrudge those whom I have touched?
Is your eye envious because I am generous?”

So the last shall be first, and the first last.