Lent

crucible

in darkness
forgiveness is
born
in pain
redemption is
borne
in loss
recovery is
drawn
in death
true hope
can dawn

when I
am nothing
God
can touch
and create

empty

the crucible
contains the
will
heated by the
light
of vision
transformed by the
ineffable

love

© Neil Thompson 2022

Stations of the Cross response

Jesus, we worship you;
Christ we bless you and adore you;
Jesus, your holy cross
has redeemed the world for ever.

© Neil Thompson 2016

A Hymn for Mothering Sunday

God is love, he tends and cares;
In a mother’s arms he bears
Every child, who’s born to die –
He saves in Christ.
Such a wondrous story came
To a world where guilt and shame
Overwhelm with fear and pain
The joy of life.
Pour your Spirit
On your world, Lord.
We all need your love and tender care.
Bless your Church, Lord.
Make us holy
In the love of Jesus, Mary’s Son.

Mary said ‘I will’ to God:
Love is born where we have trod –
Human days are shared by Him
Who knows no age.
So the Lord of time and space
Meets us with a human face –
Jesus leads us by the hand
To bring us home.

By the cross, Our Lady stood,
Saw her son nailed to the wood:
Love outpoured between the two –
The sky turned black.
Jesus died, to rise again,
Sharing fear and human pain
So that all might live in Him –
The Lord of life.

In a family God lives;
Simple joys he shares and gives:
As a mother loves her child,
God loves his world.
Make us strong to share this life,
Bring true peace in place of strife;
Spread the love that counts no cost –
So all are free!

© Neil Thompson 2008

A Hymn of the Cross

Birth gives us life, sentenced to perish;
Creation’s truth: time brings the grave.
Joined now by God, Jesus our brother,
Dying, to set us free!

Christ on the Cross
Blesses the world
Now and for ever.
Christ on the Cross,
True face of love,
Reigns as our King!

Nails in to flesh, noonday’s deep darkness;
Crucified love, Jesus the lamb –
Hold us through time, death’s final moment,
Hand of eternity.

Words of despair, crowd cruelly mocking:
‘Justice’ is done – world’s ruling ways.
History’s cross – whose is the triumph?
– Love’s cry of agony!

Christ dies today, countless the moments
We drive the nails into the Tree.
Lord, in this pain, redeem your people,
Broken humanity.

Sign for the world, changing our values:
Rescues the lost no one can save.
Here is the hope, love beyond measure,
God of humility.

Who rules our world? What do we worship?
Is gold our god? …or is it ‘me’?
Crucified God, sharing your mercy,
Forgive our treachery.

(for Adrian & Sarah Jane and the Church of Holy Cross, Motspur Park)

© Neil Thompson 2003

A Hymn for Lent & Passiontide

Broken worlds have glory given
By God’s life through cross and grave.
All our living, deathward driven,
Shared by Jesus’ power to save.

History speaks of power and glory,
Splendours, might and victories won.
Yet time claims each mortal story:
Gain is naught when life is done.

All our strife and pain and doubting
Has a purpose in God’s heart;
Friday’s death and Calvary’s shouting –
On the cross, Christ takes our part.

Human fears and fleeting stories
God redeems from hour to hour:
Every breath is touched by glories
Hid in Jesus’ love and power.

This is faith: God’s gift of seeing
All that’s hid from mortal eyes.
Life’s unlocked by Jesus being
Hope for us that never dies.

Lead us Lord, from edge to centre:
Draw us to the cross of life;
Passion’s drama, may we enter –
Find your peace within our strife.

© Neil Thompson 2002