HOW THE DARKNESS REIGNS

And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means place of the skull). Mark 15:22

How the darkness reigns;
His words fell heavily to the ground.
We were quick to speak, but slow to hear.
Now by candlelight we are oppressed by the night.

How the darkness reigns;
Words softly spoken,
"Eat this bread," "Drink this cup."
We jostled for position.
Now no-one wants to lead, aimlessly we wander through the night.

How the darkness reigns;
In shame I wept as my tears
Fell upon his sacred head.
Crying at the thought of his holy hands caressing my soiled feet.
Now, silently his touch is mourned on this cold lonely night.

How the darkness reigns;
"Could you not but watch and pray
for a little while"?
"Prayer was never our strength," we said.
Now we are at a loss for words as hope fades into the night.

How the darkness reigns;
He saw me by the firelight.
A shameless gaze,
In abject horror I looked away.
Now, his face haunts me all through the night.

How the darkness reigns;
I hear his cry, "It is finished"
I sense his pain, "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani"
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
Now, I am alone for the light has slipped into the night.

(We hold our breath and pray for morning light)

Sola Gracia, WHB