Lectionary readings (Click the links to see the readings): Susanna 41-62 | Psalm 23 | John 8.1-11

THE CROSS

Tell Us

We have had names for you:
The Thunderer, the Almighty
Hunter, Lord of the snowflake
and the sabre-toothed tiger.
One name we have held back
unable to reconcile it
with the mosquito, the tidal-wave,
the black hole into which
time will fall. You have answered
us with the image of yourself
on a hewn tree, suffering
injustice, pardoning it;
pointing as though in either
direction; horrifying us
with the possibility of dislocation.
Ah, love, with your arms out
wide, tell us how much more
they must still be stretched
to embrace a universe drawing
away from us at the speed of light.

Sure

Where the lamb died
a bird sings.
Where a soul perishes
what music? The cross

is an old-fashioned
weapon, but its bow
is drawn unerringly
against the heart.

—R. S. Thomas. Mass for hard times.
Highgreen: Bloodaxe: 1992.

Emil Nolde. Crucifixion. 1912.

Prayer

O God, by the cross and passion of your Son you delivered humankind. Grant that by trust in that gift we may find help and salvation, and may triumph in the power of his victory.