I pray along the road of Via Dolorosa,
to experience the love that led you here.
I pray along the road
that brought you to the cross.
I pray among the silence
of no retaliation.
I listen for the answers that
never came,
and the lack of words that spoke
a greater word
all the same.
I pray beside the taunts and
jeers that lined
the road of each step you took.
I pray as I hear a man called
from out of the crowd
to carry this cross for you.
I pray to see the deeper meaning
of the road you traveled.
I pray to hear the hammering in
of nails and the rolling of the dice.
I pray to hear the gambling voices
and to see the sign above your
head, a crown of thorns.
I pray to hear the words
of men on either side, crucified.
I pray to see your eyes,
to see your eyes, and love
poured out from your side,
blood and water words,
Father forgive them, they know
not what they do.
I pray to know the power in
the blood you shed,
your sacrifice, your giving over,
your choice to humble so yourself
that stars bowed down and
the sky lost its way
as it plummeted down
on the final breath you breathed.
I pray to see beyond the
silence that then fell,
the chaos that ensued,
your Beloved ones
weeping with the grief
they never knew could be.
I pray to hear the shouts
from the soldiers looking
up aghast with revelation:
Surely, this man was the
Son of God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I pray to see the morning
beyond this day, the fullness
of your grace,
your resurrected face
among the flowers and the dew.
Before returning to your Father,
appearing to your waiting friend,
there to pour out on you,
anointing oils for burial.
I pray to feel the surprise of that day,
as face to face, she mistook you
for a gardener.
I pray to once again be
astonished by the vanquishing
of sin, as the sun arose
differently from that day forevermore;
upon your resurrection.
I pray to hear the words
you spoke, on the light of the morning
to the friend who gasped with recognition,
receiving the first message
from the One who rose again,
I am ascending to my God and your God,
to my Father and your Father.
Photo by Jenneth Graser of a sculpture by Right Mukore of Right Sculptures, Montebello Design Centre, Newlands, Cape Town, taken with permission.
Journey through Lent with this downloadable bundle featuring Prayer Cards, 40 Daily Ideas Guide for Lent, and our Lenten devotional – A Journey Into Wholeness: Soul Travel from Lent to Easter. Bundled together for convenience and savings!