VIA CRUCIS

New Zealand Tablet, 28 March 1918, Page 23

VIA CRUCIS

I love them most whom I have lost, But yet my love is* not in vain, For though my soul is tempest tossed, I know I'll see them once again. In grief I walked the way of Christ, In divers kinds of company, And found the humble publican Much better than the Pharisee. Veronica lent Him a tow'l Upon His way to Calvary In trouble dire (a sad avow'l), What few Veronicas there be! But Judas's friends you soon may know, Who'll strike you when in grief you be. You'll pray for strength when comes the blow That adds unto your misery. And like your Master pray again, "Lord, let this chalice pass from me," And thus you'll learn in mental pain How felt He in Gethsemane. Alone in sorrow comes the thought As I in woe learn sympathy, Though I of common clay am wrought, He suffered, too, and feels for me. And with Him I may drink anew The wine He drank on Calvary, And dread no more the canting crew Whose creed is their hypocrisy. 'Tis not so hard to understand Why He for sin has suffered so— For doing good on every hand, Such torture He should undergo. For now I know my fellow-men, When some would lift me shoulder high, Black jealousy and hatred then Would others urge to crucify. Solus.