The Cross

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Luke 14:25-33 CLASSIC POEM: The Cross George Herbert What is this strange and uncouth thing? To make me sigh, and seek, and faint, and die, Until I had some place, where I might sing, And serve thee; and not only I, But all my wealth, and family might combine To set thy honour up, as our design. And then when after much delay, Much wrestling, many a combate, this dear end, So much desired, is giv’n, to take away My power to serve thee; to unbend All my abilities, my designs confound, And lay my threat’nings bleeding on the ground. One ague dwelleth in my bones, Another in my soul (the memory What I would do for thee, if once my groans Could be allowed for harmoniy): I am in all a weak disabled thing, Save in the sight thereof, where strength doth sting. Besides, things sort not to my will, Ev’n when my will doth study thy renown: Thou turnest th’ edge of all things on me still, Taking me up to throw me down: So that, ev’n when my hopes seem to be sped, I am to grief alive, to them as dead. To have my aim, and yet to be Farther from it than when I bent my bow; To make my hopes my torture, and the fee Of all my woes another woe, Is in the midst of delicates to need, And ev’n in Paradise to be a weed. Ah my dear Father, ease my smart! These contrarieties crush me: these cross actions Do wind a rope about, and cut my heart: And yet since these thy contradictions Are properly a cross felt by thy Son, With but four words, my words, Thy will be done. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Simon the Cyrenian Speaks Countee Cullen SNIPPET: He never spoke a word to me, And yet He called my name; … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]