Image: The Crucifixion
© Jan Richardson
Reading from the Gospels, Good Friday: John 18:1-19:42
There they crucified him.
—John 18:18
All too quickly the breaking of the bread becomes the breaking of the flesh.
All too soon the cup offered at the table becomes the life poured out at the cross.
After the rending, after the emptying: an impossible stillness, an aching silence, an incomprehensible hollow for which no word will ever be adequate.
On this day that asks us to bear witness to what is breaking, may we not turn away.
Still
A Blessing for Good Friday
This day
let all stand still
in silence,
in sorrow.
Sun and moon
be still.
Earth
be still.
Still
the waters.
Still
the wind.
Let the ground
gape in stunned
lamentation.
Let it weep
as it receives
what it thinks
it will not
give up.
Let it groan
as it gathers
the One
who was thought
forever stilled.
Time
be still.
Watch
and wait.
Still.
—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
_____________________
Also for Good Friday . . .
Once upon a time, Gary and I created a video that intertwines my Seven Last Words art series with his exquisite song “This Crown of Thorns.” I would love to share it with you. [For my email subscribers: if you don’t see the video below, click here to go to The Painted Prayerbook site, where you can view it in this post.]
Using Jan’s artwork
To use the image The Crucifixion, please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com.
Using Jan’s words
For worship services and related settings, you are welcome to use Jan’s blessings or other words from this blog without requesting permission. All that’s needed is to acknowledge the source. Please include this info in a credit line: “© Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons. janrichardson.com.” For other uses, visit Copyright Permissions.
April 3, 2026 at 12:06 PM |
Thank you, Jan, for this powerful reading and video! May God bless you for your creative spirit!
April 3, 2026 at 6:14 PM |
This blessing is the perfect way to make the way for the risen King. The ending,
“watch and wait” clearly predicts the rolling of the stone from the tomb…
Watch and wait…Sunday is coming.
Gary’s song, This Crown of Thorns ,and your art in the video add to the holiness of this season. Well done!