Good Friday

I thought this an appropriate reflection for Good Friday, as it addresses our sinfulness and complete inability to "come to God" on our own. It's Holy Sonnet XIV by John Donne, perhaps better known by its first line, "Batter my heart, three-person'd God." This Good Friday, may God batter our hearts, take us by force through the power of the cross, and make us new.

Holy Sonnet XIV
by John Donne

Batter my heart, three-person'd God; for you
As yet but knock; breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

LH