The Cross in the Doorway

The cross in the doorway-

Clear against the warmly fading light…

Souls crowded close in the dark-

To enter Paschal night.

Water, fire, darkness, tears…

Only real flame can spread.

Real peace requires real kiss,

And only real Blood raises the dead.

Humanity huddled and holding

Candles - warm but so small -

Awaiting in tremulous darkness

The Healer and Maker of all.

Sicut Cervus sung surreally 

Over the candlelit crowd-

Hearts absorbing the beauty

As their weary heads are bowed.

The dawn is coming in this night-

Our redemption is drawing near-

So we hold our flames close to us,

And pray to conquer fear.

Fire and water must first be blessed

Before light and clanging bells-

Reality must be consecrated

To defeat encroaching Hell.

And on that night in the dark-

      - the Cross held by the door -

The light spread deeper through tiny flames,

And again He won the war.