"The centurion, who was standing in front
of him,
had seen how he had died, and he said, "In
truth
this man was the Son of God." St. Mark 15:
39
The firm earth quakes as thund’ring skies assaultI
the ears with heaven's grief. Black clouds impart
cold piercing tears. Beneath the rain's onslaught
a Roman stands who bet your cloak, his heart
moans, "Vere, ... Filium Dei erat."
This soldier knew that you were God, that you
into these coarse times came, where wars are fought,
good nature spoiled, and human life has few
defenders; here does hang the Son of God.
How shaken must his soul now be to see
in death his unknown Lord. How can he laud
the dead? And yet he knows your Truth to be.
So even to the ones who pierce your side,
by death you give them Love who will abide.***
"When it was evening, there came a rich man
of Arimithea, called Joseph, who had himself
become a disciple of Jesus. This man went
to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Then Pilate ordered that it be handed over." St. Matthew 27: 57,58
Good Joseph, secret friend, has come for youII
with Pilate's nod to take you from the cross.
And so began the task that all must do:
accept the corpse, know vict'ry lies in loss.
He pulled each spike from unresponsive flesh.
Then aided from the ones who had remained
he brought You down onto the ground made fresh
from heaven's weeping for her Son blood stained.
And who awaits him? She, who stood apart.
His mother who had borne with him his pains,
who knew his joys, and shared his loving heart.
Who now as queen in holy heaven reigns.
And in her arms your body finds its rest,
the humble maid who heeded God's request.***
"Simeon blessed them and said to Mary
his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall
and the rise of many in Israel, destined to be
the sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce
your soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many
may be laid bare." St. Luke 2: 34,35
III
You place your hands upon his face and close
so gently vacant eyes. How empty lies
his body void of soul. Our Lady sighs.
And tears that taste of sorrow's woes in rows
now bathe your cheeks. Your wounded heart now sows
a mother's dreaded pain, as teary eyes
now see him while he's born and while he dies.
Yet even in such sadness your love grows.
For as you look upon his bloodied form
and see that torments of this world do cease,
you know that on we live. As after storm,
arrives the calm, so after death comes peace.
"His reign will have no end." God does not lie.
You hold His Son, in thanks to Love, you cry.© E. David