I find The Crucifixion by Samuel Barber to be one of the most beautiful and stirring songs. This piece is a part of his Hermit Songs collection – which is a quirky, delightful, soul-full and ultimately lovely song cycle for solo voice and piano. I commend this meditation to your Holy Week prayers.

At the cry of the first bird
They began to crucify Thee, O Swan!
Never shall lament cease because of that.
It was like the parting of day from night.
Ah, sore was the suffering borne
By the body of Mary’s Son,
But sorer still to Him was the grief
Which for His sake
Came upon His Mother.

What grief have you caused another or has another caused you? My prayer for you is that you might lay that at the foot of the cross this week.

Gracious God – giver of the ultimate gift, that of your Son, Jesus Christ – help us to take up our cross and follow You. Amen