This is a poem about Holy Saturday about the Harrowing of Hades, when Christ descended to the dead and took the righteous souls to Heaven. It is (rather confusingly) called “Limbo” and was written by Sister Mary Ada:
The ancient greyness shifted Suddenly and thinned Like mist upon the moors Before a wind. An old, old prophet lifted A shining face and said : “He will be coming soon. The Son of God is dead; He died this afternoon.”
A murmurous excitement stirred All souls. They wondered if they dreamed — Save one old man who seemed Not even to have heard.
And Moses standing, Hushed them all to ask If any had a welcome song prepared. If not, would David take the task? And if they cared Could not the three young children sing The Benedicite, the canticle of praise They made when God kept them from perishing In the fiery blaze?
A breath of spring surprised them, Stilling Moses’ words. No one could speak, remembering The first fresh flowers, The little singing birds. Still others thought of fields new ploughed Or apple trees All blossom – boughed. Or some, the way a dried bed fills With water Laughing down green hills. The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam On bright blue seas. The one old man who had not stirred Remembered home.
And there He was Splendid as the morning sun and fair As only God is fair. And they, confused with joy, Knelt to adore Seeing that he wore Five crimson stars He never had before.
No canticle at all was sung. None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song. A silent man alone Of all that throng Found tongue —- Not any other.
Close to His heart When the embrace was done, Old Joseph said, “How is Your Mother, How is Your Mother, Son?”
I love the thought that St. Joseph’s first question was to ask about his wife 🙂
Today we begin “Barfield Month”, where we look at the life and work of the Inkling, Owen Barfield. In the first episode of this series, we speak to another man named “Owen Barfield”, the Inkling’s grandson.
S4E49: “After Hours” with Dr. Charlie Starr (Download)
