richards odes

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!