Anawim
(The Poor Ones)

I. Jesus is Comdemned to Die
The way of the Cross before my eyes,
Where a gentle man is condemned to die.
Have I been put to blame in my life?
Have I judged another without love in sight?

II.Jesus Takes His Cross
As He carries the Cross how weak He seems.
And where do I turn to find strength in my need?
No more shall one carry a cross alone.
He lightens the weight as He dwells in my soul.

III. Jesus Falls the First Time
How do I stand when this man takes a fall?
Though weakened in body His strength dwells in soul.
How weakened am I as I stand in this place!
My strength be sustained in the Bread of Life.

IV. Jesus Meets His Grieving Mother
This sorrowful journey is seen in the eyes
Of His faithful mother who stays by His side.
Steadfast in courage the two go on.
She stays by my side leading me to her Son.

V. Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
The weight of the cross is too much to hold.
As strength from another man lightens His load.
Do I ask for help in my time of need?
Do I assist all others in their poverty?

The Bread is not the same.
The Wine is somehow changed.
His gift of life remains.
Bringing Truth to the poor ones who follow in the Way.

VI. Veronica Wipes the Face of Christ
As I gaze upon the face of Christ.
I realize the anguish I see in His eyes.
The comfort of cloth that is offered in faith.
Leaves a remnant of hope for the price that He payed.

VII. Jesus Falls the Second Time
This long narrow path leads us all to believe.
Yet still once again He falls to His knees.
How poor and how humbled His life has become.
How empty am I when I see what we've done.

VIII. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
To witness His anguish draws tears from the soul.
With tender acceptance He calms and consoles.
Do I see His anguish disguised in the poor?
Do my tears wash their feet with a love that endures.

IX. Jesus Falls the Third Time
The will of the Father is the call that He heeds.
This final collapse will not serve to impede.
And what shall become of His plan in my life.
A prayer from the heart brings His will into sight.

X. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
His frailty revealed as He's stripped of His clothes.
No man can rob from His the treasure that He holds.
A treasure that clothes when all else falls away.
The poorest of poor He chose to portray.

The Bread is not the same.
The Wine is somehow changed.
His gift of life remains.
Bringing Truth to the poor ones who follow in the Way.

XI. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
He is one with the cross as He's pierced by all sin.
No greater love than to give life for a friend.
Yet I give Him nails for the love that He's shown.
The palms of His hands heal and offer us a home.

XII. Jesus Dies on the Cross
Abandoned to the end and now His time is at hand.
Compassion flows from Him to the bitter end.
Where can I begin to heal the wounds He bore.
His passion lives on in the lives of the poor.

The Bread is not the same.
The Wine is somehow changed.
His gift of life remains.
Bringing Truth to the poor ones who follow in the Way.

XIII. Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross
His life is stilled and yet He leaves behind
The gift of blood and water flowing from His side.
The Breath of Life has now become the Bread and Wine.
The poor with barren hearts come to be filled with life.

XIV. Jesus is Placed in His Tomb
The resting place of Jesus holds within.
Hope and faith in promise for a new life to begin.
The dawn brings light where darkness only dwelled.
The light reveals a flame that burns in love and heals.

The Bread is not the same.
The Wine is somehow changed.
His gift of life remains.
Bringing Truth to the poor ones who follow in the Way.
...Bringing peace to the poor ones who follow in His Way.

words and music by Sharon Marie Willoughby
Copyright 1995
Penance Service; St. Simon and Jude Parish; Galveston, Houston Archdiocese; Lent 1995

Ash Wednesday
March 1, 2006

Lord
Your saving mission began,
as You changed water into wine.
Family departures,
as John was there to Baptize.
Water and Spirit became one
on that day.
All who thirsted, along the way,
were satiated in Your name.
Beneath the Cross,
Water was the gift you left to us.
Once and for all, we are the drop that blends into You.
As You thirsted on the Cross,
we thirst, for You.
Women and wells have found You in the past.
We cry out again, "Lord, will this thirst come to pass?"
Water, bread, wine and seed,
all tend to the hearts of those You will lead.
You are the difference in all matter and form.
Should You only be left with my heart and Your Love,
the well of Your Mercy is all my soul would know.
The nature of Mercy is that it must flow.
Marana tha, Lord, in the form that You must.
Grant me the grace to die in this thirst,
than to be filled with matter that remains here on earth.