This is one of the most radical and shocking poems that I’ve ever written.  At least in my mind, in what I have felt that I was saying.  I grew up Catholic (Christian) and certain things defined reality, faith, hope, right and wrong.  While I’ve explored the nature of God in many ways, I’ve never given voice to something so shocking.  Here I imagine Jesus himself arguing that there is nothing meaningful or right about his death.  God, after all, could have redeemed the world in any way possible, but in this poem, God just ignores the pleas of the Son.  Here Jesus does not acquiesce to the plan of the Father, instead he seems to be ignored.

I am talking about the feeling that this event just makes no sense, and by extension so much more about faith and hope and what people turn to for meaning.  I gave voice to that part of me that is confused about just about every matter of faith, religion and what gives life meaning.  If Jesus was so great, why was he allowed to die a painful and meaningless death?  What is the nature of spiritual truths for Jesus as he hangs on the cross suffering, in pain.  Is the pain not still there, and in no way lessened by God?  If there was meaning to suffering, one might ask, “what meaning?”

I remember hearing about the movie “The Passion of the Christ.”  Some would say they felt that was good and gave meaning to their faith… watching the stripes of blood and pain on Jesus!  for our sins!  Surely that makes no sense to watch an innocent man suffer for the wrong-doing of another!  It happens so often.

Meaningless Suffering – Poem by Bruce Whealton

Even before it happened
he knew it was coming;
His father had told him about it.

When he asked his Father “why?”
there was no answer.

His father was God, who could
provide redemption for the world
in any way he chose!

But here He was condemned -
an innocent man-
by false accusations and testimonies.

He knew ahead of time,
not to protest his innocence
and yet, he would not deny what was true.
He had admitted that
indeed he was the son
of God.

There would be no justice or truth.

Then, bleeding and in pain,
hanging on the cross,
he tried with what little strength he had
to ask his Father,

“Why have you forsaken me?
why have you abandoned me?”

“Father, you know,
there is nothing good -
there is no justice -
when a good man -
an innocent man -
suffers for
no reason.”

“Father! …
Father!
You and I both know,
this makes no sense!”

He somehow found
the strength
to scream this!

Again, no answer.

No matter how many times
this story would be retold and in what
form the story would be told,
over the next centuries and millennia
he knew that it did not have to end this way and
there was nothing
perfect
or
right
about this.

His father could have done anything – anything else-
redeemed mankind in any way he chose,
he was God
Omnipotent
without limits.

He feared this,
to die a meaningless death!
Alone!

Poem by Bruce Whealton 2008

Note, this is a draft publication.