Seven Poems for Holy Week
Below you will find seven poems—one for each for day of Holy Week. These poems and reflections are from the book Seeing Jesus with New Eyes. Begin your journey today. The poems are b’s gift to you to help you reflect upon the life shattering, love declaring, hope bestowing actions of Holy Week. Each poem is an invitation to linger with Jesus, to explore your heart, to open your life to God in new ways.
Please feel free to share these poems with others. Monday Poem Receiving (footwashing) (John 13:5) slipping away
he returns with towel and basin looking more like servant
than leader he kneels before me— I freeze as he removes my sandals embarrassed, nervous uncertain what to do Jesus’ pace is slow
his actions purposeful, gentle,
tenderly washing, drying my feet his touch
his pace
invite me to be present, open my body relaxes
my awkwardness dissolves I begin to receive
opening to his touch,
his presence, in new ways rising to his feet
he touches my shoulder his hand lingering there he leans in
his mouth near my ear I feel his breath
as he whispers
his words unlock my heart tears stream down my face I am lost in the moment
I am lost in his love—
seen, known —reflections— Imagine yourself in this poem, Jesus coming to you, kneeling before you, washing and drying your feet. What do you feel? What do you desire, what do you need Jesus to say to you?
Tuesday Poem Denial (Matthew 26:31) “I will never fall away! I will never deny you!” embolden by Peter’s hubris I avoid honest reflection like Adam and Eve before me opting for covering, hiding hurriedly blurting
“I will not deny you” now no need to explore my exposed heart. —reflections— Are there parts of your heart you want to keep hidden from God? What hinders you from believing God loves you in your struggles, in your worst moments? Soak in God’s love and, when you are ready, share those heart places where you are hiding from God with God.
Wednesday Poem More Than a Sword (John 18:1-12) The realization dawning, this cannot be happening, everything going sideways, coming to an end. Peter, unable to believe
Jesus’ predictions
of death and denials—
His kingdom not of this world?! Under cover of darkness the captors come,
Judas in the lead, betrays Jesus with a kiss. Peter, reaching for his sword, seeks to seize the moment, a weapon to exert his will, further his desired end. Peter’s sword a symbol
of worldly ways and wisdom, affirmation of his devotion to a personal agenda. Swinging at a temple guard, hoping for a revolution, sowing seeds of rebellion, severing a servant’s ear. “Put away your sword.”
Jesus heals the damage done
by Peter’s selfish act.
“ Shall I not drink the cup my father gives?” —reflections— Do you sometimes see a little of yourself in Peter? In which area(s) of your life do you wield the sword of your own agenda? Are you willing to lay down your sword and trust in the timing and wisdom of Jesus? What does it look like to surrender that to God? Thursday Poem Jesus, Beloved of God (Matthew 26:28) Spring of healing, wholeness and life, nailed to a cross by
MY sins,
MY rebellion, affixed to the cross by YOUR love for me pierced, crushed, beaten, bruised, forsaken by God all for love. Love poured into my heart, rooting me,
grounding me
in love, challenging me to love. —reflections— What feelings arise as you reflect on the love of God displayed by Jesus’ willingness to relinquish, endure, suffer for your sake? What would you like to say to Him in light of this tangible expression of sacrificial love? How does this same love, poured into you, inform and shape your love for others, your interactions with others? Friday Poem Good Friday (Matthew 27:45, 28:2) the earth quakes in disapproval
the sun hides her face
ashamed to witness today’s proceedings darkness descends like judgment the air is cold, the intense cold that precedes the dawning of a new day —reflections— Despair and hope often exist side by side. How does it feel to experience this darkness without a sign of light? What is God showing you about your sin, about forgiveness and the surpassing greatness of God’s love?
Saturday Poem Holy Saturday (John 20:19a) huddled together what ifs, if onlys gnawing at their hearts fear, anger, hopelessness alternating as partners dancing to death’s dirge they wait for what, for whom
no one is quite sure sighs of despair shattering the silence, sadness visible in vacant eyes it is finished all is lost. —reflections— This is the agonizing in-between place—the now, not yet—of faith. Put your- self into this huddled group of mourners. How are you feeling in this place of despair? Can you continue to trust God or are you tempted to make something happen on your own? Share your feelings with God. Easter Sunday Poem Women at the Tomb (Luke 24:1-12) Dressed in black, they approach the tomb, a trail of tears, a pilgrimage of grief. Carrying spices to anoint His corpse,
a final act of devotion, love. One last chance to caress His hands, to gaze again on His holy face,
to honor His life with burial spices, whispers of love, goodbyes, I will carry You, Your words within me. The stone has been moved. Entering, they collapse.
The tomb is empty, Jesus is gone. “Where have they taken Him?” Bereft, weeping, they grieve their loss, longing for one more moment,
one last act of devotion and love. Remember His promise?
Remember His words?
The angel explains what has occurred. Excited, breathless, giddy, they run to tell the disciples, tell the world— He is not there, He is alive!
Jesus has risen! Jesus lives! —reflections— How does your love, devotion and desire to serve Jesus shape your actions? Can you think of a time when your desire to love and serve Jesus led you to an unexpected discovery about or encounter with God? Back to Food for Thought
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