this is my Body, broken {only say the Word}

This is my Body, broken:

pierced and bleeding,

shrouded in darkness

and alone.

Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?

Father-forsaken, 

the Light recedes.  

Rocks cry out,

the curtain tears. Brave

women do not flee.

This is my Body, broken:

my radiant Church

lies pierced and bleeding,

wounded by friendly-fire burn.

This sickness shall not end in death

The dead are raised, the

blind will see and

you, love, shall be healed.

(Only say the Word)

You are No Longer Deserted,

re-created, the very

image of God.

I am making a way in the wilderness,

streams in the wasteland

Hephzibah, my delight,

Stop tearing my Bride to shreds.

Rend your heart and not your garments.

Rend your heart and not your brother.

Every blood-soaked strand is fuel for the fire.

Take off the grave clothes

Put on the new self and arise.

Only love will bind my Church in perfect unity.

Bind up the broken and return

to me, the Spirit poured-out-still.

There is one Body and one Spirit;

to one hope were you called.

At one Table we celebrate the 

memorial of your redemption.

As the Father has sent me, I am sending you

I Am the Word, calling

life from formless void.

I Am the Truth, the image of

the invisible God-is-Love.

Unbound, live into the

blessed-to-be-a blessing.

Light up the darkness, beloved.

Do this in remembrance of me

This poem was originally published as part of Preston's At The Lord's Table series. 
Image courtesy of Tahni Candelaria-Holm of joyeuse photography.