If we had been Jews, would we have spoken out for Him
when the Sanhedrin accused Him of blasphemy?
If we had been Gentiles, would we have defended Him
when the Romans condemned Him to death?
If we had been disciples, would we have stayed with Him
when the crowd became a crucifying mob?
Or would we have been like Peter-
who followed Him and loved Him
and denied Him three times before dawn?
And the Christ who was crucified there, once said:
"As you have done it to the least of these, My brothers,
you have done it unto Me."
As nations rise in war
As governments oppress the poor
As passive people turn and look aside
In silence
We crucify
Again-
We crucify.
As indifference forms the pattern of our lives,
As hungry children cry for food,
As widows mourn alone in empty rooms,
In apathy-
We crucify.
Again-
We crucify.
I think of the nails that crucified my Lord.
They were made of iron; but more-
They were made of hatred, prejudice and greed.
And I wonder-
What part of myself creates mails in other forms
that wound my brother or sister-and my Lord?
You know how many times I have betrayed you, Lord.
You know the times I have chosen evil over good.
Guilt lies upon me like an iron cloak.
My soul is heavy-my burden hard.
In the act of death He absorbs our sins.
In love, He forgives our failures.
In the act of resurrection He gives the promise of acceptance,
the assurance of forgiveness, the affirmation of eternal life.
"Your sins are forgiven you", He said, "Go and sin no more."
Through You love, I am made whole,
Through Your death, I have found new life.
You are my shield, my redeemer and my hope.
My sins are forgiven-Hallelujah!"
-Marilee Zdenek
