Poems for Lent

There once was a poet who meant

To write thoughtful poems in Lent

Wrote one every day

And now he can say

That it was a good time well spent.

Pax Vobiscum

We were sitting in our room with all the doors barred

For we knew if we were found we’d all be killed.

If ever there were men who were so ill starred,

We were sure our blood would next be spilled.

Suddenly our Master was among us.

We thought it was His ghost had come to call!

He didn’t try to shout or make a huge fuss.

He tried to ease the fears of one and all.

True our women folk had told a story

Of how they’d seen our Lord that very morn!

We thought because his death had been so gory

They’d made it up, as they were so forlorn!

John and Simon went to see what was occurring

And noticed that His body was not there

At this point John had felt a memory stirring

But to believe He’d risen did not dare!

We told them it was obvious the soldiers

Had lifted up His body from the tomb

The High Priest and his sycophantic courtiers

Were gloating now upon our Master’s doom.

Our Master sat and joined us for our dinner

To show us He was plainly flesh and blood.

He joked that He could hardly get much thinner

My tears were rising in a mighty flood! 

He showed his wounds, which had now started healing

And reminded us that He had said He’d rise!

Can you imagine how we all are feeling?

That he had meant it was a big surprise!

Of course we’d seen him healing many others

And even raising people from the dead

Restoring children to their grieving mothers

So we should have noted what he said.

But we had seen Him die upon that hillside.

And in the tomb we’d placed him on the shelf

We’d all been very sure our Lord had died.

So He was not around to raise Himself!

Yet here he was as lively as a horse fly

Cracking jokes to put us at our ease

In his company nobody could be shy.

Doing everything he could to please!

Finally he raised his hand for silence

And all the noise and laughter had to cease

I’ve never felt a quiet so intense

Then He told us we should go in peace!

As quickly as He came He had departed

Though He would visit us in Galillee.

This is where our great commission started

To preach to all the world and set it free!

My Lord has Risen today in all His splendour

Death has now, most surely, lost it’s sting.

I’ll follow with the faith that You engender

And to Your praise and glory I will sing!

A Miserable Sabbath

We’ve spent this Sabbath in our room,

With doors and windows shut.

All our thoughts are doom and gloom

We’re sickened to our gut.

Our Master has been crucified

And we stood by and watched.

All our dreams were nullified

And every hope was scotched!

Then recriminations start

Who was most to blame

We start to tear ourselves apart

The women just the same.

The guilt is shared by all of us

For we all ran away

We didn’t even make a fuss

On that dreadful day.

Somehow if we blame the rest

It won’t seem quite so bad

Surely it’s a cruel jest

If it were not so sad!

Then some bright spark pointed out

He wouldn’t let us fight.

That was true without a doubt

But did it make it right?

Jesus said He’d rise again

But this would not be seen

He talked in riddles now and then

And we weren’t quite that green!

The women started wailing

And we began to mourn,

Forgot about our failing.

Our grief could not be borne!

Then somebody mentioned

That He should be anointed

It was well intentioned

So the women were appointed.

They would meet at break of day

With all the kit they needed

Meanwhile all of us would pray

And hope our prayers were heeded!

We prayed our Master would be blest,

That he’d gone to be with Moses

That he’d enjoy his heavenly rest

Amongst a bed of roses.

Then we tried to get some sleep

With minds that were just churning,

About memories we’d want to keep

While the lamp is dimly burning.

It was the end of everything.

All our hopes in tatters.

Wondering if tomorrow’d bring

Anything that matters!

The End of Everything

I haven’t slept a wink all night

My Master’s been arrested

He wouldn’t even let us fight

Though we all protested!

We’ve heard He’s taken to the fort

For Pilate’s condemnation

Perhaps if we give our support

He’ll hear our true oblation?

Pilate’s brought Him into view

They’ve tied Him to a post

He’s already black and blue

And looking like a ghost!

Soldiers used their cruel whips

Until his back was mince

I heard the screaming from his lips.

I’ve heard it ever since

Pilate gave the crowd a choice

Who should he release?

The evil crowd drowned out my voice

He listened to their pleas!

Barabbas was the one released

My Master he would slay.

My heartbeat very nearly ceased

All I could do was pray!

They put a crown upon His head.

A mocking crown of thorn

And when I heard the things they said

I wished I’d not been born!

The blood ran down His furrowed brow

And from His back as well

I was almost screaming now

And feeling I’m in hell!

They put a cross upon His back

And forced Him down the road

And when He fell upon the track

Another took His load.

They nailed my Master on the ground

Then hoisted Him on high

There were people all around

Who’d come to see Him die!

You could see the agony

Etched upon his brow

It was there for all to see

Is this our Saviour now?

I watched His shoulders dislocate

I heard His sinews crack

It was a most horrendous fate

Like someone on the rack!

Then I saw a wondrous change

My Lord forgave them all

And though it did seem very strange

I heard the sweetest call.

It seemed to fill the place with light

And said that God was pleased

And even though a gory sight

My Masters pain was eased.

My lovely Master’s life was done

His head lolled to the side

It seemed our fight had not been won

And yet I’m filled with pride!

To make sure that my Lord was dead

They pierced him with a spear.

With staring eyes within his head

They had no need to fear!

They took him swiftly from the cross.

We laid him in a tomb.

Then went to mourn our grievous loss

In the upper room.

It was the end of everything.

What more was there to say?

No one could any comfort bring,

Our hope was killed today! 

The Peculiar Passover

A meal once so familiar became completely odd

It told the Hebrew story, of how they were saved by God.

But first of all their Master got down upon his knees

Insisting he should wash their feet – not even saying please!

Some were quite indignant, that our Lord should ask

It was a servant’s duty to perform this menial task!

Simon even went so far as to refuse compliance

But Jesus quickly sorted out this follower’s defiance!

He told him if he was not washed by his Master’s hand

He would at once be banished from his Master’s band!

He told them it was service to which they should aspire

For within God’s kingdom there is no role that’s higher!

The normal style was followed until Christ broke the bread

“This is how my body will be broken.” He said.

Then He took the cup of wine and said, “This is a token

My blood will be shed for you. The prophets all have spoken

How the Christ will come to die so that all men may live.

Remember when you think of this. My life I freely give.”

His friends were all astonished and said “This cannot be!”

Our Saviour sadly shook his head and said, “Just wait and see!

One of you will betray me, the rest will run away”

Then Simon spoke out boldly saying, “Lord you know I’ll stay.”

Jesus told him sadly, “Three times you will deny

That you ever knew me, before the cock crows in the sky.”

Our Lord then took his followers on a midnight walk

To a garden called Gethsemene where they could sit and talk.

While our Lord was praying in sadness and in grief

His followers were sleeping, and gave Him no relief.

Then, as He had predicted, our Saviour was betrayed

And that his friends deserted him cannot be gainsaid!

Simon followed after but when he was discerned

Denied he ever knew our Lord because he was concerned.

Three times he was accosted and three times he denied.

Then at the crowing of the cock he ran away to hide!

Oh Lord, fill me with courage so I may boldly stand

Declaring I’m your follower throughout all the land! 

How Would You Feel?

You’ve shared a very special meal

Though it was a little weird

The Master’s words just seemed unreal

You couldn’t help but be afeared!

Now you’ve had a quiet stroll

And then a rest within a park

The Master’s prayers were very droll

And you’ve felt shadows in the dark.

Your Masters crying fit to bust

And you can’t even keep awake

Your eyes are full of sleepy dust

And then He gives your arm a shake.

Soldiers gather all around

And Judas gives your Lord a kiss

You grab a sword and swing it round

You see some blood. You didn’t miss!

Your Lord restrains you as you fight

And says He does not need your aid.

He’s taken off into the night

And you feel your game is played!

Your Master doesn’t want your help!

You don’t know what he wants of you!

He’s given up without a yelp.

What on earth are you to do?

You follow slowly in his wake

Hoping there might be a chance

His captors may make some mistake

And then the crowd gives you a glance.

All your friends have run away

The crowd is screaming for a kill

What on earth are you to say.

The outcome is unknown still.

Of course you’re feeling very scared

And your neighbours don’t look thrilled.

The question’s caught you unprepared

And it won’t help if you are killed!

You swear that you have never seen

This man before in all your life

The mob is looking very mean

And you don’t want any strife!

Two more times they claim you were

Really one of Jesus’ men

Twice more you vehemently declare

You never met the man – and then

The rooster crowed a mournful wail

And you remembered Jesus’ face

As he told you, you would fail,

And now you really felt disgrace!

You slunk away a broken shell.

How could you let your Master down?

You boasted you would do so well

And now you’ve acted like a clown!

How would you feel if it were you

Had faltered when the test had come?

I bet I would have faltered too

And to my fears I would succumb.

Lord console me when I fall

And hold me tight within your arms

That I may heed my Master’s call

And come at last to heaven’s charms.

  

Terrorists?

Jesus numbered terrorists among his closest friends.

They supported violence to bring about their ends.

If you don’t believe me, look it up and see.

Simon was a zealot and, just twixt you and me,

His aims were well supported by others in Christ’s crew

Simon ambushed Romans, that’s what zealots do!

I’m sure it wasn’t pretty nor did they play fair

As long as they killed Romans I’m sure they didn’t care!

“I’m fighting for my freedom from an occupying power,

If I was fighting cleanly, I wouldn’t get too far!”

Isn’t that the same excuse that people use today,

Be they Palestinians or the I.R.A.?

Of course our Lord taught differently. His message was of love

He offers peace to all of us from God in heaven above.

Maybe Simon listened when our Master spoke

But he longed to throw off the hated Roman yoke.

Some Christians have been terrorists down through all the years

And always in their freedom fights there have been lots of tears.

Is it not strange to notice that of those who wanted free

The one to do so peacefully was a Hindu called Ghandi!

And yet some Christians tell me that such people end in hell!

I wish that I could follow my Master’s path so well!

I can see the rights and wrongs in every freedom fight

But our Master taught that violence was never, ever right.

Lord, you taught it truly in the Sermon on the Mount.

Let me be a peacemaker and let my efforts count!

Spare a Thought For Martha

Spare a thought for Martha. Someone has to make the tea!

And why should sister Mary get away scot-free?

Ok so she was listening to what our Lord might say

And true that did not happen each and every day.

I’m sure that Martha wanted to hear our Lord as well!

If Mary had been helping, she could have. Who can tell?

When you bring lots of folks around there is a lot to do

And no hostess can relax until the preparation’s through.

Mary must have known that, yet she chose to shirk her task

She knew her sister needed help. She shouldn’t have to ask!

And if our Lord was not concerned when He had His dinner

He might inform his hostess and then everyone’s a winner!

All right I know this goes against all good Christian teaching

But I am writing poetry and have no right for preaching!

My Mother always felt that Martha’s treatment was unfair

So I am merely trying to give her point of view some air.

Let’s give a cheer for all of those who work behind the scenes

Making sure the joint is cooked and cutting up the greens,

While we enjoy the splendour of some clerics wit and guile

Feeling good and flattered by some simpering Mary’s smile!

 

Don’t You Wish You’d Been There

Don’t you wish you’d been there

When Christ had come to town

Just to stand around and stare

As He threw the tables down!

Don’t you wish you’d been there

When He called the dealers thieves

They were in a nightmare

As their coins flew off like leaves!

Don’t you wish you’d been there

When He argued with the scribes

Watching them groan with despair

As he dismissed their jibes!

Don’t you wish you’d been there

When the pharisees were routed

Showing that He didn’t care

When all their rules were flouted!

Don’t you wish you’d been there

Within Gethsemene

Just to breathe the same air

As Christ and the sleepy three!

Don’t you wish you’d been there

When the crowd cried for the kill

And do you hope that you’d dare

To thwart the High Priest’s will!

Don’t you wish you’d been there

To help Him with His cross

With His bloody back bare

Though you’d be crying for his loss

Aren’t you glad you weren’t there

To see his agony

Knowing it was unfair

That he died for you and me!

His followers were all there

To share the joy and woe

To see the thorn crown in His hair

And watch His life-blood flow!

They didn’t want to be there

To see their Master die

They wished that they’d been elsewhere

And can you wonder why?

Aren’t you glad our Lord was there

Though it does seem odd

To die for people everywhere

And win our souls for God!

Going With The Crowd

All of us feel comfortable going with the crowd

With our friends around us shouting out aloud.

There’s lots of strength in numbers, we’re vulnerable alone

Is it any wonder that we’re scared when on our own.

We’d do almost anything to be accepted with the cream

But careful, being popular is not all that it may seem!

Crowds are always mindless and can be roused to hate

And when you want to duck out, it may be too late!

The crowd that cheered our Saviour as he was passing by

Less than one week later called for him to die!

Were they evil people or just so easily led

That they would do exactly what a rabble-rouser said?

People do, within a crowd, the most appalling things

Where on their own they’re angels, almost sprouting wings.

You’ve seen it at a football match with mindless racial chants

Or at those Nazi rallies with Hitler’s evil rants.

Never go along with things just cos others do

As good old Polonius said, “to thine own self be true”

You may not be so popular but you will always be

Just the sort of person our Lord would want to see.

Lord save me from doing things because they’re popular

And help me stop my fellows before they go too far.

I must not be a sapling that bends to every breeze

I should be like an oak tree doing what You please 

Let me be the one who speaks for those who have no voice

And also the protector for those with little choice!

If

If you have no confidence and think that you’re a mess.

If people criticise you, or your sense of dress.

If you miss your targets and are no good at play.

If your mates deride you and your friends won’t stay.

If you get too nervous when the spotlight’s on.

If you’re hesitating till the chance has gone.

If you think you’re useless and crawl away to hide.

If it seems a scary world and no one’s on your side.

If you think you’re just a mess, the worst they’ve ever seen

Let me say that you’re the greatest you there’s ever been!

It really doesn’t matter how good or bad you are,

Our loving Saviour knows you and knows you as a star!

He loves you just the way you are and you pass every test

From our Saviour’s point of view, you are just the best!

Why Pray When You Can Worry?

We used to have a preacher who used the phrase above

Telling us with sarcasm to trust our Saviour’s love.

The fact he is a bishop now just shows you ought to know

That God really loves it when you let your humour show!

Of course the point is serious we all know we should pray

Not just when we’re worried but each and every day.

We know our God will answer prayers, always for the best

So are we right to worry how he’ll deal with our request?

Of course it’s human nature, we want it done our way.

And whether God will do that, who are we to say?

So we tend to worry especially when we know

We’re praying for our family, for we love them so.

Oh Lord, help me to trust You, I know you care for me,

So I’ll accept your answer, whatever that may be!

Forgiveness

We all require forgiveness for each and every sin

And it is in forgiving that healing can begin,

For those who are forgiving as well as those who sinned,

Providing all our anger and grudges have been binned.

To hold unto our bitterness warps our very soul

And if we foster grudges, we cannot then be whole.

Holding angst and enmity will only break our heart.

And mulling on our grievances pulls our lives apart.

Christ said “turn the other cheek” and “love your enemies”

So pray that you can do that, get down upon your knees.

Of course it isn’t easy but Jesus knows your pain

And He will be beside you, so you can live again.

You may not forget your hurt but the pain will go away

And God will give you comfort – you only have to pray.

Leaving

We’re going to lose our Rector for he’s had the call

To go and serve another church. So he will leave us all.

We’ve been very fortunate that he has stayed so long

We thought we’d lost him years ago but everything went wrong!

He knew our God was calling him to be somewhere new

And as he is God’s servant what else was he to do?

He thought it was New Zealand where he was meant to go

Then God made it plain to him this was a big no-no!

That left him in a quandary. He just had to stay

Though people would remember he’d tried to get away!

With God’s help he settled down and tried to make amends

To those he’d disappointed and even to his friends.

Since that bogus calling his preaching’s been inspired

But all the time he’s wondering what our God desired.

He knew he had been told to go but still no word of where,

And when that word was given would he even dare?

At last the call is clear enough. He knows where he should be

And who we’ll get instead of him we must just wait and see! 

Thank God he is obedient no matter what his fears

And we have just been fortunate to have two extra years!

The Lord has got his plans for us and we must all obey

To the best of our ability – there is no other way!

Blame

Why is it that we’re comforted when someone is to blame?

Perhaps it is relief we feel that we’re not in the frame?

Perhaps we share the feelings of those who did the crime

Though we didn’t do the deed and weren’t there at the time?

Our Saviour taught us lustful thoughts were just as bad as rape.

Perhaps we cover all our sins with a piece of masking tape?

If we can condemn the crime we hide our latent guilt

And on this shaky footing our edifice is built.

When will we learn to pray, for those who need Your grace,

Rather than exulting as they fall upon their face?

Our Lord forgave His followers when they ran away

And they were filled with courage for another day.

Our Saviour even prayed for those who nailed Him to a tree.

That is a fine example that He gave to you and me.

I bet He prayed for Judas, the one who had betrayed,

Even though His other friends would have been dismayed.

They had all condemned him for that all revealing kiss,

But did our Lord not also die for such a sin as this?

Forgive us Lord for sinning and help us not forget

It was for us, and others, that You paid the debt.

To Your Glory

I should be a servant, asking no reward

Doing what’s required of me by my gracious Lord.

Never asking questions, always on the go

Serving with humility because He told me so.

I should not be seeking favour or acclaim

It is not my mission to go chasing after fame.  

Why then do I check to see so many, many times

What comments are on Facebook and if people like my rhymes?

I hope that I am writing what the Lord puts on my heart

But if nobody likes them, it gives me quite a start!

I know it shouldn’t matter provided that I do

Tell the sort of message that my Lord requires me to.

Of course I have felt flattered when people like my stuff

But to do my Master’s bidding will always be enough.

Lord save me from seeking satisfaction of my own.

Let anything I’m doing bring glory to Your throne.

Why?

 

I do not know the answer to many, many things

Yet I have the confidence that knowing Jesus brings.

I cannot really understand why hurricanes occur,

Or why there are Tsunamis, bringing mayhem everywhere.

Earthquakes cause destruction and volcanoes blow their tops

And people are left starving when famine hits their crops.

There is disease and pestilence, which mars our earthly lot.

Is it any wonder that some think God’s lost the plot?

Why does he allow these things? Why can’t he intervene?

Is it that He doesn’t care? Or maybe He’s just mean?

To say he left us free to choose and he won’t interfere,

Doesn’t really fit the bill. In fact it’s nowhere near!

I do not know the answer and I think no human can

And anyone who claims to might be a charlatan.

When I meet my Maker I trust that there will be

A chance to ask Him questions and that He will answer me.

Should I have these questions running round my head?

Would my Lord prefer me not to think instead?

He understands my weaknesses, He understands my doubt

And He knows I trust Him to help me work it out.

So much for all the questions that sometimes fill my mind

But this I know for certain my Lord is good and kind.

He is with those who suffer and He holds them in His arms

And he will guide them safely to the joy of Heaven’s charms.

Sorry

The hardest thing I had to do when I was very small

Was having to say “sorry”, when I wasn’t – not at all!

Yet my Mum insisted and I knew what might transpire

If I ever disobeyed her very just desire!

So I would mutter something, which might just meet the need Though, in truth, I was resentful as I did what she decreed!

I wasn’t really sorry but I did what I was told

And normally I’d get away with just a minor scold!

Now when I say confessions every Sunday just by rote

Is it any different? Do I take sufficient note?

Am I really sorry for all the things I’ve done

As I number my transgressions and outline them one by one?

Do I really mean to stop the things I know are wrong?

Or is this just a ritual with which I go along?

Oh Lord, You know my failings even those I don’t confess

And even though You disapprove, You do not love me less.

Help me Lord to mean it when I ask you to forgive

And help me lead the kind of life You want me to live.

Thank You

I’ve had reasons to be grateful throughout all my life

And at the summit of the list is my darling wife.

She is my sternest critic and my closest friend

And I will surely love her right until the end.

For this and many other things I thank my Lord above

Who in the good and bad times surrounds me with His love.

He guides me and He comforts me. He fills me with His peace.

The great abundance of His gifts never seems to cease.

I knew Him first when I was small and innocent as well

I know Him now when older, but wiser - who can tell?

I can’t explain the suffering and evil on the earth.

Or why the wicked seem to gain everything of worth.

Of course their gain is worthless if they do not know You,

But yet I cannot understand what You let them do.

There are many questions that perplex my mind

Yet still I know my Saviour that You are good and kind.

I won’t know all the answers until my life is through.

But this I know within my heart, I’ll still keep thanking You.

The Future

We do not know our future, for which I thank my God

And those who try to know their fate I find rather odd.

I try to do my best each day to deal with each new task

And the strength to face the future is all that I can ask.

I know that God is with us no matter what transpires

He will lend a helping hand to anyone who tires.

This fills me with confidence to face the coming days

So my heart is filled with joy to sing my Saviour’s praise.

Christ was not so fortunate, He knew what would occur,

And yet He was determined that He would not demur.

He resolutely followed the path that had been set

Though He knew the torture and the mockery He’d get.

He gave His life for all of us so that we might live

And just as freely as He gave, we should freely give.

I thank you Lord for saving me and I will try to be

Just the sort of person that You would like to see. 

The Price of a Free Bet

I watch the TV often and I am just appalled

At the adverts giving bets away. They are free, so-called!

You can make your bet by landline or on your mobile phone

And if you get in trouble you can always get a loan!

Easy money is around you only have to say

Never mind the interest rates you can’t afford to pay.

And anyway as you must know there’s always PPI

It has been mis-sold to you and compensation’s high!

And if you’ve had an accident we’ll sue them all for free

We will do it all for you, and you’ll not pay a fee!

This constant media pressure to have some easy money

If it weren’t so serious it would be quite funny.

I’ve never seen a bookie going on the dole

So it should not surprise you that they win on the whole!

Taking loans you can’t afford and paying through the nose

Will get you in a deeper mess one really must suppose.

And if you took out PPI you must have had a feel

Of what you were agreeing to when you signed the deal?

Of course claiming damages from everyone in sight

Puts up the cost of everything and surely that’s not right! 

I suppose I have been fortunate that I have had enough

Even when I had no work and life was pretty tough.

I trust my God to give me all the things I need

And I trust He’ll help me to control my greed! 

Rocky

Rocky is a little word, which can mean lots of things

It could mean something hard as nails or like a chair that swings.

Ground that for foundations is always firm and strong

Or tremors in an earthquake that tell you something’s wrong.

There was a man called Rocky who travelled with our Lord

And mostly with our Saviour was in complete accord.

He was the staunchest follower as solid as a rock

Until our Lord was taken, and he was stunned with shock.

His world was badly shaken all he knew had gone

And in that dreadful moment he was pale and wan.

He was really rocky as you might easily guess

And even when our Lord has risen, he is still a mess.

He was meant to be the rock to build the church upon

But he felt such a failure – his confidence was gone.

Jesus made him face his shame, built him up and then

Rocky had the strength and will to face the world again!

He became the stalwart our Lord knew he could be

A fallible example for the likes of you and me!

All of us have weaknesses and fail from time to time

But our Saviour rescues us with His love sublime.

A Man Called Peter

If I have a hero among my Saviour’s mates

It is the man called Peter who now keeps Heaven’s gates.

Originally known as Simon, he was big and strong.

He was not the brightest and often got things wrong.

He was brave and had the heart to take on any task

When Jesus wanted something he only had to ask.

A bit slow on the uptake, he was solid as a rock

That they called him Peter shouldn’t be a shock!

(The Greek for rock is “Petros” so that became his name

And so it was as Peter that he had his claim to fame)

Of course this was a nickname the equivalent of “Rocky”

And, though Jesus used it, it didn’t make him cocky!

He was the first to recognise who the Master was

Though he had no notion what would be his cause.

Peter thought the Christ had come to take the Romans on

He was not to understand until our Lord had gone!

He tried to fight for Jesus when he had been betrayed

For he did not understand what his Master said.

When Christ told him not to, I’m sure he was bemused

Is it any wonder that he was quite confused?

Imagine when he’s challenged – how should he react?

He was hardly known for his quick wits or his tact!

His Master’s been arrested and the mob is on the loose

He knew he could not rescue Him if his head was in a noose!

Three times he had protested that he didn’t know the guy

And then the cock was crowing and he ran away to cry.

He recalled his boasting that, on him, Christ could depend

Even though the others ran, he’d be with him to the end!

His master sadly smiled at him and told him he should know

Three times he would deny him before the cock would crow!

Though our Lord forgave him, and left Peter as His rock

He always knew his frailty when he listened to a cock.

He became a fearless preacher and was stalwart till he died

A humble, gentle servant, who we look upon with pride.

Peter shows by all he did that we can get it wrong

But God can use our failures to aid His victory song.