Friday, April 03, 2015

Good Friday

William Adolphe Bouguereau 1825 1905 Pieta 1876Christ has died.

 

The head which was was nursed at his mother’s breast, 

The head which was suffused with light at his Transfiguration

The head which was crowned with thorns, 

is bruised, bloodied and lifeless now.

 

The eyes which looked from the manger into his mother’s loving gaze

The eyes which looked with compassion on the rich young man

The eyes which wept over Jerusalem

are now cold and empty.

 

The ears which heard the song of the angels

The ears which heard the voice say from heaven “This is my beloved Son”

The ears which heard the crowd cry out “Crucify him”

now hear none of the sobs made over his body

 

The lips which said to the paralysed man “your sins are forgiven you”

The lips which told the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son

The lips which said “I am the resurrection and the life”

now, drained of colour, smile and speak no longer.

 

The hands which stilled the storm

The hands which blessed the children

The hands which healed the blind, deaf and lame

now rest motionless, pierced and lacerated.

 

The feet which climbed the mountain to pray

The feet which walked on the water

The feet which were washed with the tears of the penitent woman

are now twisted, maimed and mutilated.

 

The heart which beat for love of sinners

The heart which longs for the peace of the world

The heart which beats with our hearts

beats no more.

 

Christ has died. 

He is laid in the tomb. 

The Great Silence begins. 

But the story has just begun.

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