gives himself again
with all his gifts, door opens
this is judgment day
Adapted from the Stations of the Cross: I Jesus is condemned to death, which is found in the book Sounding the Seasons by Malcolm Guite and are intended to be read on Good Friday.
I am reminded of the legends told about Pilate.
One that he was sent to Switzerland after his term in Judea and while up in the alps, would walk down to nearby stream and daily, wash his hands.
Another myth is that the ghost of Pilate comes out on Good Friday to wash hands.
If you look up the idea of symbolically washing your hands of guilt, there are a few other instances of such a thing be mentioned in the old books but with the access of search provided by the google, you have to think that this was not all that common.
The word painting of that moment in the Gospels leave no doubt of its impact on that moment and over the centuries.
Jesus is condemned to death
The very air that Pilate breathes, the voice
With which he speaks in judgment, all his powers
Of perception and discrimination, choice,
Decision, all his years, his days and hours,
His consciousness of self, his every sense,
Are given by this prisoner, freely given.
The man who stands there making no defence,
Is God. His hands are tied, His heart is open.
And he bears Pilate’s heart in his and feels
That crushing weight of wasted life. He lifts
It up in silent love. He lifts and heals.
He gives himself again with all his gifts
Into our hands. As Pilate turns away
A door swings open. This is judgment day.
No Haiku For You 