The Two Sayings
A Simple Lenten Reflection
The Two Sayings
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Two sayings of the Holy Scriptures beat
Like pulses in the Church's brow and breast;
And by them we find rest in our unrest
And, heart deep in salt-tears, do yet entreat
God's fellowship as if on heavenly seat.
The first is JESUS WEPT,—whereon is prest
Full many a sobbing face that drops its best
And sweetest waters on the record sweet:
And one is where the Christ, denied and scorned
LOOKED UPON PETER. Oh, to render plain
By help of having loved a little and mourned,
That look of sovran love and sovran pain
Which HE, who could not sin yet suffered, turned
On him who could reject but not sustain !
Lent is coming faster than I can even blink! I thought that maybe, if I started talking about it now, it wouldn’t come as a total shock when I’m walking around on Ash Wednesday with a black cross on my forehead.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed deciding how to contemplate Christ’s suffering during Lent. The Church is rich with resources it’s almost hard to choose what to dive into. When I picked up Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s collection of poetry this weekend, I came across this poem. In a year of big transitions and projects for my family, I’ve realized that my Lenten contemplation can be just two simple phrases:
Jesus wept.
Looked upon Peter.
Two moments of divine empathy and suffering are pulses in the life of the Church.
Lord, you weep for the suffering of the world. I see you weeping and looking at me. I have failed so many times to follow you faithfully, but you still gaze at me lovingly, waiting for me. I don’t have much to say, but here I am.
I invite you to reflect on these two phrases with me as we prepare for Lent. How do they settle in your heart? What does God want to reveal to you through these simple yet profound phrases?
And I promise, the happy spring poetry will come soon. I’m itching to write about those, but everything comes in their own time!
Through Christ,
Stephanie Petters