My Christ is a raw object

Marlene Marburg
31 March 2015

5 Comments

Crucifix

my christ

nothing is sanitised.

a raw object,
raked by their eyes,
i am small and lowly

at the feet of my Christ.
my hair is sharp like needles on his skin.
my tears wash the dirt stuck to his wounds.

like perfume, i cling.
our cries merge as water and blood
bursting from our bodies.

we do not hear the thunder,
do not see the darkness fall on us.
we feel the senseless suffering, we are

too weak for anger.

Body of Christ

Go into the bare chapel.

On the wall you will see a crucifix,
cold and uncompanioned.
Jesus hangs peeling,
plaster broken off one leg,
exposing a rod,
the rusty interior –
bare.

Go bare into the chapel.

Marlene Marburg

Marlene Marburg is a poet, spiritual director and formator at Campion Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, Kew, in Melbourne.

Crucifix image by Shutterstock.

Topic tags: Marlene Marburg, modern Australian poetry, Christ, religion, passion, Holy Week

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Existing comments

"Go bare into the chapel."..... The ancient Jews thought that God resided in the Temple. Catholics, these days, seek to find God in their Chapel or Church. But, as St. Augustine told us, God is more appropriately found within; in our Spiritual Being, our mind and heart. We need to go 'bare' into our mind and heart, stripped of all man-made trappings and traditions, all cultural, tribal, and community interpretations, and lay ourselves open to the ideals of Goodness and Truth if we desire to Know, to Love, to Serve, and to be One with God our Creator.

Robert Liddy | 31 March 2015

Thank you Marlene, for bringing Jesuss to life for me this morning in his suffering and dying. Now, as then, it is so easy to leave him 'uncompanioned', cold, and alone upon the cross.

Pirrial | 31 March 2015

Wow! Thanks Marlene and Robert. What an apt reflection for Easter. ..the bare inner chapel and the rusty interior. I have just read "A history of rain" by Niall Williams. For lovers of words and people a great reading experience. How blessed we are to share the wise ,mellifluous words of poets and writers. Thanks to all contributors to E.S.for their stimulating and provocative offerings. And a Happy Easter to you all.

Celia | 31 March 2015

My Christ is a precious perfume. Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel, no.50, 6-7 "You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me" This is the historical event, now let us look for the symbol. Whoever you are, if you want to be faithful, pour precious perfume on the Lord’s feet along with Mary. This perfume is uprightness… Pour perfume on the feet of Jesus: follow in the Lord’s footsteps by a holy way of life. Wipe his feet with your hair: if you have more than enough, give to the poor and in this way you will have wiped the Lord’s feet… Perhaps the Lord’s feet on earth are in need. Indeed, isn’t it about his members he will say at the end of the world: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25,40)? “And the house was filled with its fragrance.” That is to say, the world has been filled with the renown of this woman, for the sweet fragrance is her good name. People who associate the name of Christian with a dishonest life injure Christ…; if God’s name is blasphemed by bad Christians, it is praised and honored, on the other hand, by the good: “For in every place we are the aroma of Christ (2Cor,14-15). And it is said in the Song of Songs: “Your name is oil poured out” (1,3).

Nika | 01 April 2015

Two confronting yet and touching poems. Perfect for reflection on Good Friday. Bill Rush

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