Good Friday

May this reflection, written by Janet Tharpe, prompt us to ponder a God who tears Her garment in grief.

Qara’

(Pronounced kaw-rah.  It is the Jewish custom of

tearing one’s garments when in mourning.)

Splendid I was, and beautiful

hand woven from the finest wool

dyed a deep royal purple

embroidered with scarlet thread.

Worthy was I to clothe a Deity

 my fifty clasps, gold and gleaming,

secured me to my sacred space

between the Temple’s Holy of Holys and

the massive gate for the common throng

It was I who veiled for them

God’s shining, blinding face.

Until the day that darkness fell

across the earth at noon

when God’s beloved hung on a cross

bloodied…..broken…..bruised.

Then wild with grief the Father-God

(like Jacob learning of Joseph’s death)

tore me, His garment, top to bottom

as His Son drew His last breath.