Are You the King who bore no sceptre but bore a Cross?
Or are You the Redeemer who chose the nails instead of crowns?
Your throne is not of gold, but of wood carved with pain; and Your crown is not of pearls, but of thorns thrust into Your pure brow; and Your kingdom is not of this world, but is in the hearts of those who love You.
O You who wrote with Your blood the greatest story of love, O You who gave Your love not in written letters, but with a broken body and blood poured out upon a tree — how can we love, when we have not tried to give a single drop?
How can we understand, when we have not once been broken?
O my crucified God, O Lover of hearts, You are the lover, and You are the beloved. You sought no glory, but came to wash the feet of sinners,
and to call them sons and beloved.
O You who lifted Your hands upon the Cross, not for judgement but for giving, draw our hearts to Your love; teach us to love as You loved, to forgive as You forgave,
to live as You died.
Who are You, O Crucified One? Who are You?
You are Love, O Crucified One.
You are Love crucified.
This is You.