I heard the voice of Jesus say
Good Friday Hymn
This hymn has been written especially for the Good Friday service at St Mary Redcliffe by the Vicar, Canon Dan Tyndall. A verse is sung as part of each section as we reflect on the Seven Words of Christ on the Cross.
I heard the voice of Jesus say: “Forgive them all, forgive;
they know not what their actions mean, forgive them, let them live”.
We hear the calling to forgive, to live in ways that heal;
so help us now and everyday forgive and love reveal.
I heard the voice of Jesus say: “I say truly to you;
This day to Paradise I go; with me you will be too.”
We hear the words that break apart our narrow-minded view;
an offer of eternal life for all, not just the few.
I heard the voice of Jesus say: “My mother and my friend;
Be each to each, a mother, son, on whom you will depend.”
We hear Christ form relationships, a chosen family;
so may our bonds of truth and trust forge true community.
I heard the voice of Jesus say: “Why, Lord, forsake me now?
My body broken, strung up high, stain’d blood upon my brow?”
We hear the constant cries of pain from refugees in war:
and still the self-same plea goes up: Why, Lord, do you ignore?
I heard the voice of Jesus say, for so it was foretold:
“I thirst, my throat is dry and parched, I wait at death’s threshold.”
We hear him rasping, turn away, hearts fractured, on the brink:
then pray for his eternal soul, when what he craves is drink.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, shown vinegar not wine:
“All is now ended, finished, done; this work of love divine.”
We hear these words of Christ define how incarnation ends;
Then, all accomplished on the cross, his love is lived by friends.
I heard the voice of Jesus say: “Here, Father, I commend
my life, my spirit, all I am; on you, through death, depend.”
We hear such trust, may we repeat those words with our last breath;
commending all we are to God as life gives way to death.
Dan Tyndall
Good Friday 2022
