I See His Blood upon the Rose

I see his blood upon the rose,

and in the stars the glory of his eyes,

His body gleams amid eternal snows,

His tears fall from the skies.

I see his face in every flower;

The thunder and the singing of the birds

Are but his voice-and carven by his power

Rocks are his written words.

All pathways by his feet are worn

His strong heart stirs the ever-beating see,

His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,

His cross is every tree.

~Joseph Mary Plunkett

 How I wish I could be more like the author of this poem. Too often do I pass by a rose, ignore the sky, unappreciate the snow, get frustrated by rain...we should see the Author, the Artist, the Creator...in all His work. Everyday, we are given enough to remind us of His passion and sacrifice.

The precious red rose, should remind us of His precious red blood. The stars shine like His eyes, and His body radiates, full of purity, like the pure white snow.

The rain...the tears of God.

The faces of flowers, the new life they bring every spring, is like the face of Christ. Two very different sounds, "thunder and singing of the birds/ Are but His voice" He is all-powerful, yet gentle- He is meek.

"and carven by His power/ Rocks are His written words."

He is the solid Rock upon which we aim to build our house, our foundation for our Church. His ten commandments are carved into stone.

"All pathways by His feet are worn"

Jesus has traveled every road, and has been on every journey. We carry Him with us, He walks beside us. He is our Guide, the One Who never gets lost. He knows where each path leads, He knows what lies ahead. Lord, you know the path on which I walk...please guide my feet.

"His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea"

The power of God keeps the universe in motion. The rythym of collapsing waves is like His strong heart beat. His strong beat shakes the earth, and stirs the sea.

"His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn"

This line goes beyond merely being reminded of his crown when seeing thorns. Every hardship and thorn we suffer, is twined with His thorns. His crown of thorns is twined and weaved of our thorns and pain, which He bears upon His sacred head.

"His cross is every tree"