Am I a stone and not a sheep
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy Cross,
To number drop by drop Thy Blood’s slow loss
And yet not weep?
Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;
Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon–
I, only I.
Yet give not o’er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.
Christina Georgina Rossetti
Ah! When we cannot find affection for Christ’s sacrifice, is it then that he picks up the rod of pain and weakness? Then, when struck with these unpleasant things, I find I need Him, and cannot survive alone, and my tears begin to flow in gratitude.
10 thoughts on “Good Friday”
This poem… this is my second time coming across it in the past few weeks. It’s something I struggle with… to allow myself to deeply ache and truly recognize what Jesus did for me. I want to understand, but I’m afraid that I am far too often a still and silent stone. I love that the poem gives permission to ask Jesus to help us recognize His sacrifice. Sometimes it just seems like too much to ask for… I mean, He gave His life for me, and now I’m also asking Him to help me fully appreciate that? It doesn’t seem right. I think He is teaching me to be humble enough to accept His beautiful and never-ending gifts. Thank you for sharing this poem!
You’re welcome Jasmine. Thanks for sharing those touching thoughts!
This poem! Amazing! Thanks for sharing, Katrina.
You’re welcome. Yes, I love it.
I’ve copied off these poems so I can enjoy them again next year. I wouldn’t mind if you continued to share favorite poems.
Gina
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed them. I don’t know if I could keep up a steady stream, but I will give it some
thought!
These poems have been an inspiration. Thank-you!
I’m glad!
Thanks for the nice poems. I liked the afternoon inspiration the last few days.
Good!