lenten witness


human olive press
squeezes sweat as drops of blood
pleading with Father
“remove this cup from me yet
not my will but yours be done”


sleepers in garden
cannot stay awake to pray
soldiers with torches
betrayer kisses cheek as
followers flee to shadows


scourged, mocked, tortured
spikes pounded into wood beams
asphyxiation
forgives ignorance of
cruel executioners


king breathes agony
sees dear woman’s salty tears
groans, “behold, your son”
beloved disciple stands near
shares inconsolable grief


darkness cancels light
his earth and heavens protest
bones left unbroken
battle cry: “it is finished!”

first fruits of all who must die


hard seed in cold ground
his lifeless body buried
decomposition
after three days, he breaks forth
tremor cracks open life’s tomb!


may we bear witness
broken open by great love
well-watered with truth
growing freely in his light
as resurrection people

joy of light series

A fresh installment for Carpe Diem’s retreat: joy of light

 

XVI.

 

lenten days lengthen

light increases by minutes

joy of spring coming

open tightly closed windows

inviting fresh clean breeze in!

 

pexels-photo-2050593

pexel image

lamb will roar

 

prince of this world

like a lion in lamb’s wool

sneaking, seeking prey

as one who would devour

 

we like sheep sleep

 

King of the universe

like a Lamb led to his

shearing, spearing, pray

to One who would ransom

 

sheep from death’s sleep

 

lion-statue-zoo-37609

lion statue – pexels.com

 

 

beloved master

 

sweetest blood-red rose

comes weeping over city

bright tears, mourning star

dying bears love’s stigmata

risen in perfect beauty

 

lenten way

camino-de-santiago-2-490x324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

self-denial’s route

picturesque francais pathway

solitude’s silence

 

el camino de

santiago pilgrim walk

to scallop shell sea

 

lent bent

 

Sometimes in church,

i’m filled with this wild

desire to run up front

and embrace the bare

over-sized, free standing

wood cross;  cling to it and

let everyone call me a

tree hugger.