Thursday 5 April 2012

Tenebrae

Edward Lear, The Garden of Gethsemane

We explore these mysteries in twilight,
Descent into death, the dimming of light,
The agony in the garden, praying
not to drain the cup of death to its dregs.
The loss of hope, the dreadful burden shouldered,
the lonely candles snuffed out one by one.
The earth shuddered at human cruelty;
A crack of lightning rent the heavens.
The temple curtain tore from head to foot
Revealing the divine presence within.
Each of us must descend into the depths
To be reborn as something greater.
We must pour out our love upon the earth
To receive the love that passes understanding.

(for Malcolm Guite)

More about Tenebrae

1 comment:

Daniel said...

Thank you Yvonne. This is a challenging point on the cycle of the year, and this is a wonderful aid to reflection.