(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 realized 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 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 express hate for our Lord's fate
I, too, despised what I'd become
I wished 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 rumors 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 lay all alone
We can only pray the world of the future see 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
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