Casting Lots

Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. Mark 15:22-32 

Casting Lots 

Casual insensitivity, deriding, mocking
ignoring another's visible agony
dividing the spoils of tragic life
becoming buzzards hungry for death.

Parents push children to be winners
to crush the opposition and succeed
standing at the foot of the cross again
making fun of the dying incarnate love.

We measure our lives in what we have
others will take it from us now or then
tenderness and mercy are measureless
stockpiles of kindness can never fail.

It is a safe bet that we will all die
yet how we live between no and then
a total mystery and our daily choice
to view the cross and to be transformed.

May we be ever changed into humilty
may our garments be those of respect
may we seek justice for the least here
carrying those who have been shunned again.