I'm thinking of including a poem in our Good Friday "Hour at the Cross" service. Any suggestions?
It would be good if it was fairly accessible and not too long.
The "sermonettes" might be on Old Testament types of the cross, perhaps Gen 3:15, 21; 22; Ex 12.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
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The Agony, by George Herbert.
Mark (& Matthew)
Thanks for this - not being poetic I couldn't help here. But I was sparked to look for 'The Agony'...and I love it.
Tim
John Donne, Holy Sonnet XI
Spit in my face you Jews, and pierce my side, Buffet, and scoff, scourge, and crucify me, For I have sinned, and sinned, and only he Who could do no iniquity hath died: But by my death can not be satisfied My sins, which pass the Jews' impiety: They killed once an inglorious man, but I Crucify him daily, being now glorified. Oh let me, then, his strange love still admire: Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment. And Jacob came clothed in vile harsh attire But to supplant, and with gainful intent: God clothed himself in vile man's flesh, that so He might be weak enough to suffer woe.
Thank you. Both great poems.
All other suggestions still gratefully received.
Here is The Agony, by George Herbert
plundered from http://www.ritchies.net/Herbert/poems/031_The_Agony.htm
THE AGONY
Philosophers have measured mountains,
Fathom'd the depths of seas, of states, and kings,
Walk'd with a staff to heaven, and traced fountains
But there are two vast, spacious things,
The which to measure it doth more behove:
Yet few there are that sound them; Sin and Love.
Who would know Sin, let him repair
Unto Mount Olivet; there shall he see
A man, so wrung with pains, that all his hair,
His skin, his garments, bloody be.
Sin is that Press and Vice, which forceth pain
To hunt his cruel food through every vein.
Who knows not Love, let him assay,
And taste that juice, which on the cross a pike
Did set again abroach; then let him say
If ever he did taste the like.
Love is that liquor sweet and most divine,
Which my God feels as blood; but I, as wine.
by George Herbert 1593-1633
source: The Poetical Works Of George Herbert, ed. George Gilfillan. Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1853
I think so far Donne might have the edge as the Jacob reference would fit the theme OT types.
I wonder if the sacramental ending of the Herbert might be strong meat for the good people of Holy Trinity. There wont be a Communion in the service, so perhaps that makes it a bit less appropriate.
If you should want a link for the Donne, it can be found at:
http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/sonnet11.php
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