For Good Friday, the first of the twelve Stations of the Cross:
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| The 12th Station of the Cross found in St. Raphael's Cathedral, Dubuque, Iowa, USA Used with permission. |
I - Jesus is Condemned to Death
The very air that Pilate breathes, the voice
With which he speaks in judgment, all his powers
Of perception and discrimination, choice,
Decision, all his years, his days and hours,
His consciousness of self, his every sense,
Are given by this prisoner, freely given.
The man who stands there making no defence,
Is God. His hands are tied, His heart is open.
And he bears Pilate’s heart in his and feels
That crushing weight of wasted life. He lifts
It up in silent love. He lifts and heals.
He gives himself again with all his gifts
Into our hands. As Pilate turns away
A door swings open. This is judgment day.
- Malcolm Guite, from
SCM/Canterbury Press, 2014
To listen to the poet read this aloud, click HERE.
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