(A lone voice whispers)
If only we had understood the justifications.
I wouldn't be composing these stanzas here in old Jerusalem.
If only we had realised all those painful, tragic answers to come.
We would have stopped them from happening.
And took no chances at the very beginning.
If only we knew this day filled with darkness would be returning.
We would have tried to stop it before our hearts started burning.
But we never saw it coming and never disputed your stories saying so
Of which there was plenty
We believed we were to be together forever.
To walk hand in hand in all weathers
We never felt deserted, even though it felt like you were always away.
Praying or preaching
But in the process of living
Our hearts gave up and cried
When nailed on that wooden cross before us
All the hopes of forgiveness and absolution
Just looked us in the eyes
Smiled
Stopped breathing and quietly died.
As we placed you in the tomb with Joseph and rolled forth that heavy stone
It felt to some as though we'd never met.
As they wept
But to us, who really knew you
Our hearts could never forget.
And as I watched, some cry and expressed hate for our Lord's fate.
I, too, despised what I'd become.
I wish I'd found more time to be with you.
To learn more.
All sad tokens of introspection as I laid you in that tomb.
I thought like many others.
You were taken from us and sent so far away.
But the rumours circulating say you've risen.
Oh, how happy we all are that you've escaped death's cold prison.
We all remembered when you said you wouldn't leave.
That if in me, you do believe.
And if we didn't.
What would this world be like?
If you wouldn't in our hearts still be living.
Well, that's now all in the past as we gather here on this beautiful Sunday.
To pray in these moments for the forgiveness of all our earthly sins.
In this hidden backroom here in Jerusalem.
To fall in love with Faith once more.
Now you've risen from the tomb.
A dark place where we left you a few days ago.
To lie all alone.
We can only pray that the world of the future sees the truth.
For to truly believe, you don't need any proof.
For faith is a delicate thing.
Don't just look for it in well-written books or scripture.
Don't look for it at night or during the day.
Don't let it weep and recede or wither and just walk away.
Just believe in something greater.
It's how he'll find you and reintroduce you to your maker.
For as Nicodemus was once asked.
“How can a man be born when he is old?”
“Surely, he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!”
You answered,
“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
So, to all you readers who may read this in the near future.
Just listen for the Almighty's great voice and with faith in something greater.
You'll know in your heart it's him.
If you're just open to hearing it.
After praying and then whispering.
Amen.
(C) Copyright John Duffy
Image shared under fair usage policy
