The Third Fall!

The Third Fall

Christ

Completely drained of strength
Speaks I lie, collapse, upon the cobblestones.
My body cannot move.
No blows, no kicks.
can rouse it up.
And yet my will is mine.
And so is yours.
Know this, my other self,
your body may be broken,
but no force on earth
and none in hell
can take away your will.
Your will is yours.

I reply

My Lord,
I see you take a moment’s rest
then rise and stagger on.
So I can do
because my will is mine.
When all my strength is gone
and guilt and self-reproach
press me to earth and seem to hold me fast,
protect me from the sin of Judas ---
save me from despair!
Lord, never let me feel that any sin of mine is greater than your love.
No matter what my past has been
I can begin anew