“I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.”  Psalm31:12. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 There is a story about a Japanese emperor who had broken his favourite tea bowl. He sent it to China for repairs, but he was disappointed when it was returned just stapled together and looking very ugly. Local craftsmen, however found a solution. They filled the cracks with golden lacquer. It was now the emperor’s favourite bowl, and this was the…