Song of the Winding Sheet
A Blessing for Good Friday (by Jan Richardson www.paintedprayerbook.com)
We never
would have wished it
to come to this
yet we call
these moments holy
as we hold you
Holy the tending
holy the winding
holy the leaving
as in the living
Holy the silence
holy the stillness
holy the turning
and returning to earth.
Blessed is the one
who came
in the name
blessed is the one
who laid
himself down
blessed is the one
emptied for us
blessed is the one
wearing the shroud.
Holy the waiting
holy the grieving
holy the shadows
and gathering night
Holy the darkness
holy the hours
holy the hope
turning toward light.