There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. When evening had come, and 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 waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. Mark 15:40-47 

O Creator of the stars of night

who fashioned the beauty we see

who breathes life in to each of us

bend down today to mend us all.

We have wandered far from your way

the path of compassion and truth

has been replaced with self and greed

and we have destroyed your gifts.

You were willing to live like us

and suffer such abuse and death

so we might know you love living

in the hearts of all people everywhere.

Help us Lord today to see your face

to witness your agony and suffering

in the people we meet on these streets

and help us to have hearts of love alone. Amen.