Ponder Long the Glorious Mystery – a poem from Isabel

Ponder long the glorious mystery,

Breathe, in awe, that God draws near;
hear again the angels’ message,
See the Lamb of God appear.
God’s own Word assumes our nature:
Son of God in swaddling bands;
Light of Light, and God eternal
Held in Mary’s gentle hands.
 
Ponder long the glorious mystery
Of the Lamb who once was slain,
Now at God’ right hand in glory:
He who in the grave had lain.
Once he bid the doubting Thomas,
‘See my hands and touch my side.’
Now the angels gaze in wonder,
Jesus’ wounds are glorified.
 
Ponder long the glorious mystery,
‘This my body, this my blood.’
Bread and wine reveal God’s presence,
Love engulfs us like a flood.
Human longing meets God’s yearning,
Words fall silent, all is grace;
Mystery with hope is brimming,
Earth is held in heaven’s embrace.
by Christopher Cocksworth / Rosalind Brown
From ‘Being a Priest today’. 2002 Canterbury Press.