A prayer for Good Friday

A prayer for Good Friday by Rev Fraser Macnaughton, minister of St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney.

At the cross

We see Christ crucified still - today.
Where the hungry cry for food,
die for food,
though there's plenty.
Where people are yelled at,
Jeered at -
bricks through their windows
because their skin isn't white, isn't right.
Where abuse and rape
Occur,
where gay men are beaten up,
where lust kills love -
I see him crucified still.

I see Christ crucified still - today.
where wars scar people, lands,
God's hands
the endlesss, killing politics of hate.
Where the cry for justice
is unheard, oppressed, beaten down
by cold, world systems.
Where power comes first,
where religion twists faith,
where fear kills trust
I see him crucified still.

I see Christ crucified still - today:
where creation's fabric shreds,
is bled,
by 'must have now', 'must use'.
Where earth's beauty is destroyed.
Where trees burn,
where water poisons,
where greed kills need
I see him crucified still.
And I try - a little
to stem the deadly tide
as I give - a little,
write to those in power - a little,
take my bottles to the bottle bank,
and try to love as he said;
try to love - a little.

O God, for all these crucifixions may there one day be resurrection.