And there were women

There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. Mark 15:40-47

Oh cover us with water wash us
again and again for we weep for him
bloody and torn lifeless in Joseph's arms
loving arms dangling eyes closed
in death we are broken open here and now.

Oh let the waves wash over
we have followed him everywhere
causing scandal and clacking tongues
we ached for justice and mercy
now faced with ridicule and abuse.

Oh hide us, hide our faces
let us bury our tears in water
we were baptized in made whole by
oh deep and mighty waters
free us from this weary world.

Oh wash away the dust and blood
we weep and we prepare him
we mourn as we wrap the cool crisp linen
the shroud he should never have known
hiding the world's battering
behind a stone.

Oh wash us over pour us out
until we find our rest in God.

Oh water water cleanse us until
we are healed by love that cannot
be hidden or wrapped away
divine love that is living despite
our daily agony, despite our denials
let love flow again.