A Dying Community - Good Friday
Today
I felt the chill of the tomb,
sepulchral voices
enshrined in black,
in long corridors of shining clean tiles.
But where are the children’s voices,
laughter,
life-giving green of new shoots
from the established vine?
It feels like an enclosed tomb,
shut off from the fresh air of day –
I long for the breath of the Spirit here,
new life, new wine, green,
Opening on to the world,
the voices of the poor
and those who are searching
for Life.
Come, holy dove,
come and spread your wing,
overshadowing the tomb
of our chill deadness,
numbness;
Awaken,
rekindle,
Anoint with fresh oil
the root of our being,
that Life may flow once more,
and the voices of children
may be heard,
singing your praises,
O you who are ever fresh,
ever young,
Green sap,
Holy God.