a familiar garden.
lanterns. torches. weapons. a sword cuts off Malchus’ ear.
an arrest. police strike a face. denial crackles at a charcoal fire. a cock crows.
what is truth?
a flogging. a thorny crown. a purple robe. behold the man.
from the stone pavement to the place of the skull.
three Marys stand near the cross. blood and water flows from a pierced side.
secret disciples wrap a body with myrrh and aloes in linen cloths.
a new garden.
amen.
(Revised Common Lectionary texts for Good Friday include Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25, and John 18:1-19:42.)