Artwork by George Rouault, Series: Miserere (Plate XXXV)
Caption: “Jesus will be in agony, even until the end of the world.”
Responsive reading —
“Descent,” by Malcolm Guite
They sought to soar into the skies
Those classic gods of high renown
For lofty pride aspires to rise
ALL: But you came down.
You dropped down from the mountains sheer
Forsook the eagle for the dove
The other Gods demanded fear
ALL: But you gave love.
Where chiseled marble seemed to freeze
Their abstract and perfected form
Compassion brought you to your knees
ALL: Your blood was warm.
They called for blood in sacrifice
Their victims on an altar bled
When no one else could pay the price
ALL: You died instead.
They towered above our mortal plain,
Dismissed this restless flesh with scorn,
Aloof from birth and death and pain,
ALL: But you were born.
Born to these burdens, borne by all
Born with us all ‘astride the grave’
Weak, to be with us when we fall,
ALL: And strong to save.