Words of Light and Hope from Tony Hawes

Words of Light and Hope from Tony Hawes.
Passiontide.
Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the
Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears
much fruit.

John 12.23,24.

This is love. Not that you spoke words of comfort,
walked with the unclean and unloved, shared wisdom,
bread and fish, brought healing into lives and
challenged the status quo.
This is love. That you spoke the word of God,
walked a painful road to the Cross, shared living water,
bread of life, brought Salvation to the world
and died for the sake of all.
This is love. It is a seed in the ground which
germinates, blossoms, and spreads its sweet perfume.

John Birch.

You were a man of suffering acquainted with grief,
loved and despised in equal measure.
You understand humanity, know our failings,
love us despite the people we are.
When we, like Peter, deny you by word or action,
forgive us. When we, like Judas, are tempted
to follow a different path, forgive us.
When we, like those in the crowd, allow you
to be crucified, forgive us.
Bring us to the foot of the Cross to stand next
to the one who, looking into your eyes declared
‘Surely this is the Son of God’
John Birch.

When I survey the wondrous Cross,
On which the Prince of glory dies,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all……….