Poems for the Passion of Christ

Isaiah 50:4-9a (Mark 7:31-36)

O Lord, Our God!
Loosen our tongues and
teach us how to share thy speech,
opening ears and hearts
even as Christ healed the deaf,
"Ephphatha" - be opened, he cries.
Awaken within us the desire to heal,
feeding the tired at heart with a single word
sustained by the love of Christ.


Psalm 31:9-16

Thou art gracious Lord.
We, who waste away thy gifts, call upon thy mercy.
Turn our sorrow into strength,
repair the years and mend our bones
broken by grief,
filling us with they steadfast love.
Thou, who art our God.
Teach us to serve thy people,
help us to see thy shining face
in the face of others,
and to know thy everlasting love.


Philippians 2:5-11

O Lord most high,
create in us the mind of Christ our Savior,
renew our spirits with righteousness.
Finish in us thy form and image,
letting our imperfections, make perfect our compassion.
That we may become servants of thy Holy Kingdom,
as knees bend, tongues confess, and hearts heal.


Luke 22:14-23:56

Thy hour is near my Lord,
as your body is broken, becoming our bread of heaven
and as your blood is spilled, to become our wine of salvation,
help us to remember that we too are called to serve.
Send thy Angels to strengthen us, even as we deny thee daily.
Yet, in that denial and in the mystery of the Eucharist,
we somehow take on thy Crucifixion,
where it becomes branded and scoured on our own hearts.
Where you have suffered we also suffer,
crying out as you did from the cross.
“Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do.”
Commend our spirits to thy care, O Lord!
Make us innocent again, as Christ is innocent.

 



Ron Starbuck
Copyright 2007

Revised Common Lectionary - Liturgy of the Passion