On an almost daily basis, I see these types of inspirational articles show up in the media. Great and courageous stories of people sacrificing to relieve the unimaginable suffering of millions of refugees.
One would expect Christians to be at the forefront of these efforts (Americans at least), instead it’s Israelis, Greeks, Spaniards, Canadians and French — atheists, Jews, and many more of undetermined faith identity.
This all reminds me of a poem I wrote some 30 years ago, which in hindsight seems that it was written just for this occasion:
The True Brother
I fought with one in battle
who spoke of mighty deeds.
I thought he was my brother
for he understood my creeds.But when wounded in the battle
I looked to him in need.
He just quoted me his doctrine
and left me there to bleed.Another chanced by later
who pulled me from the fray.
He wore a different uniform,
but he saved my life that day.He didn’t speak my language
or understand my creeds,
but I knew I’d met my brother
for he did my Father’s deeds.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” –John 13:35
The Vindication of Verbosity 