A Loud Cry

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Mark 15:33-39 

A Loud Cry

The child was born with a loud cry
breathing, wiggling and now living
joy beyond measure for the parents
a hidden fear in his mother's heart.

God had promised this tremendous gift
not just for them for the whole world
shepherds and wise men came to visit
a mother's heart shaken and amazed.

Grown and moving through the world
healing and changing hearts far and wide
sharing the good news of God's love
and his mother wanted another miracle.

There were some who welcomed him
they made him king and threw palms
others jealously plotted against him
and his mother was bent in deep fear.

That last loud cry from the cross
broke her heart and rent a curtain
her sacrifice complete as he died
that last sound she treasured and cried.

This cross is a living memory of love
love poured out, humble and complete
there was a loud cry of birth and death
the whole world was healed for us all.