Poetry

Jerusalem, Town of Contrasts

John O'Brien

Contents - Apr 2010 - Buy a copy now Homily: Easter - from death to eternal life - Pope Benedict XVI More Australian Anglicans respond to Benedict XVI's invitation - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Irish child abuse scandal and cover-ups: bishops meet with Pope - Michael Gilchrist Formation: Young Australian Catholics commit to promoting Judeo-Christian values - Richard Lyons Bishop Kevin Rhoades: Tribute to an outstanding American Church leader - Fr John Trigilio Religious freedom: UK Catholic schools forced to teach homosexuality in the classrooms - Babette Francis Foundations of Faith: How do Catholics relate to non-Christians? - Fr Dudley Perera OMI Jerusalem: Catholic soldiers' World War I military pilgrimage in the Holy Land - Tom Johnstone Real Presence: Eucharistic Adoration: ultimate weapon of spiritual warfare - Fr Martin Durham Letters: Debate needed - Fr Bernard McGrath Letters: Rosary - John R. Barich Letters: Family - Arnold Jago Letters: No citadels - Arthur N. Ballingall Letters: Why not adoption? - Tom King Books: CREED OR CHAOS: Why Christians Must Choose Either Dogma or Disaster, Sayers - Terri Kelleher (reviewer) Books: FROM HERMES TO BENEDICT XVI: Faith and Reason in Modern Catholic Thought - Tracey Rowland (reviewer) Books: WEDNESDAY WARRIORS: Doing it for the Jumper, by James Gilchrist - David Perrin (reviewer) Poetry: Jerusalem, Town of Contrasts - John O'Brien Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The Resurrection: cornerstone of the Christian faith - Fr Dennis Byrnes

(Written following a visit to Israel)

An ancient town enclosed by walls of stone.
Its chosen people sprung from Abraham's seed
Whose forebears God had once from bondage freed
A temple built to honour Him, their own.

This wondrous dome was doomed to be o'erthrown,
Destroyed by mighty Rome's avenging deed,
Its very site now hosts an alien creed
And at its base their sons its fate bemoan.

Nearby Christ died on Calvary's hill of woes,
His captors to His Godly nature blind.

Today this holy site is sought by those
Who come revering, sad - then joyful find
The sacred tomb whence He triumphant rose
And opened Heaven's gates to all mankind.

-John O'Brien-

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 23 No 3 (April 2010), p. 18