By way of the cross, Christ weds his Church.

The classical haiku many learned in grade school takes the form of three lines, with five syllables in the first and last lines, and with seven syllables in the second line. Here is my attempt at a Way of the Cross in that form. [Copyright © 1993 by Prince of Peace Abbey]


I. Condemnation

I want it this way.
How else can I give my all?
Love condemns itself.


II. Acceptance

Bride of sin and death,
with this cross I do thee wed.
Mine now what was yours!


III. First Fall

Grace now ungraceful,
God now man, heaven fallen,
love unloved by choice!


IV. Mary

She gave birth to this:
my life, joys, sorrows, glory.
Mother of my all!


V. Simon

Unwilling helper!
Unknowing co-redeemer!
I love you the same.


VI. Veronica

You are my image.
You I imprint, not your veils.
Suffer! Thus to love!


VII. Second Fall

Cross-laden, I fall,
the priest crushed by the altar,
love crushed by its bed.


VIII. The Women

You do not know me.
You weep for my innocence
whose depth you don’t know.


IX. Third Fall

It rode me here, bride,
our altar, our board, our bed.
Falling I arrive.


X. Stripping

Strip away my all!
Father, even you are gone.
Friend, bride, where are you?


XI. Nailing

Nail me to your sins!
Yes! Come nail your death to me!
Wed me! Take my life!


XII. Death

I give me all up
for Father’s glory, my source,
and you, image, bride.


XIII. Deposition

See, bride, I come down.
Stay still! Though gone, I approach,
down . . . to you . . . like you.


XIV. Burial

Dead with all in death!
Even you, Father . . . absent?
I-Am-Who-Here-Am.


XV. Rising in Glory

Father! Your Spirit
I share, I breathe and bestow
on my bride, my flesh!


- - - -


Song of the Bridal Church

Cross! Resurrection!
Eucharist! Christ, Lord and God!
Christ our salvation!


[Copyright © 1993 by Prince of Peace Abbey]