The Harrowing of Hell

Today Light invades the darkness.

The darkness has no power

it can not understand the Lightⁱ

it has no substance nor form.

Today the gates of Hell are broken.

Today Satan’s conceit is shown.

Today his petty power is overthrown.

The souls of the just cry out with joy:

“Welcome to Thee, Oh Christ our God!

Holy Divine One,

Holy Strong One,

Holy Immortal One:

Thou art come to deliver us

from out the grave

and to have mercy on us!”

Their trials are over. 

Their hope is fulfilled.

Their joy is complete. 

The new bearer of Light,

the True Day-Star, the Faithful One

the Lord of Life is come to them.

i“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” [Jn 1:3 KJV]

Judas' Lament

Thirty pieces of silver, a slave’s price,

I took for the life of the Lord of Life.

Not out of greed, nor drear despite;

but out of love: twisted, yet bright.

I cared to be noted. 

To be a part of His world:

preferring lambent hate 

(not to be ignored)

to dim indifference; 

for she’s the truly frigid

antagonist of ardour’s heat. 

He blessed my bread

then, with gentlest deference,

He urged me on my way.

So with Him then I could not rightly stay,

and I stepped into the night:

not out of spite, nor sweet revenge;

but out of love: twisted yet bright.

I desired to affect Him.

To constrict Him to react to my brazen act.

Not to reject me: but account me

as a relevant and worthy opponent:

He knelt in prayer, his soul alight with fear and pain.

I gave him my kiss:

not out of treason, nor harsh betrayal;

but out of love: twisted yet bright.

He called me friend.

For me He’s to die.

Of love there is no greater token:

not kind caress, nor gentle word.

Now my heart is broken.

The silver pieces I did return,

redeeming the life I’d sadly sold:

not out of anger, nor wish to slight;

but out of love: twisted yet bright.

Now He is mine, as He hangs on high

and redeems my life from the grave.

Not out of need, or hope of gain;

but out of love: faithful and brave.