The world is gathered here

If the Lord were not to help me,
I would soon go down to the silence.

Psalm 94:17

The people are coming up slowly
to kiss the cross--

hardly moving, because the crowd is so big;

moving slowly,

like waves of a calm sea

gently surging forward,

caressing the quiet shore

with a single wave

that breaks on the steadfast rock,

whose touch disperses

the sea's sorrow of shipwreck

in spray of delicate foam;

like the hair of Mary Magdalene

shining wet with tears

over the feet of Christ.

The word is gathered here,

kissing the cross.

They are not afraid:

they have made the Way of the Cross;

they have nothing to fear any more.

Christ with them,

Christ in them,

strength of them--

every one:

Christ, with His cross on His back.

In a single wave of love,

breaking upon the shore,

they are singing inaudibly,

"Consummatum est!"

Caryll Houselander,

The Adoration of the Cross, 1942