Word in the Hand

Gospel Garden - Lindisfarne Jesus is taken down from the Cross Empty of life Heavy as death The body falls willingly Into a shroud of disbelief Other Stations at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012

Seawall - Crosby Jesus is nailed to the Cross The fears of a Father’s people The tools of a father’s trade Abandonment is hammered home Blow by blow Other Stations at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012

Trees overhead - Dibbinsdale Woods Jesus falls the third time Exhaustion brings darkness Sends the body into a mockery of sleep The earth cradles a body of earth The weight of the world bears down A splintered counterpane There is no rest. Other Stations at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012

Root detail - Dibbinsdale Woods Jesus falls the Second time Death is biting at their heels Effort seems meaningless Despair turning timber into lead The world losing hope; unbalances And topples the parade. The heart finds another beat Lungs strain to fill Legs lever to rise And begin again Other Stations at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012

S Simon of Cyrene helps carry the Cross Neither one belongs on this road The teacher, the trader The condemned, the coerced Fellowship forged in tragedy This heavey burden takes two to carry Only one will walk away Sixth Station at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012

 Jesus falls the first time As you fall to the ground We see ourselves aquitted Our weakness – your downfall And easier for us to look down And see the shadow of slave  Fourth Station at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012

Jesus is condemned to death It is not just Pilate who condemns - Hands stretch out from the crowd Fingers point in accusation The cry ‘Crucify him!’ Who wants to take the risk Of setting Jesus free? They want the life more ordinary And so refuse to see Three fingers pointing back And the question ‘Do you know what you do?’ Second Station at  Brigid's Mantle wordinthehand2012