To the Ends of the Earth

Oh Blessed sapling shoot who would bear the sins of the world,
Whose every splinter and shred would witness red,
Of the love of God in humanity's bed,
Laid down to sleep while night draws on.

And those on each side of the blessed mystery,
Whose dying breaths showed beauty bright,
and signalled suns blistering the night,
Until darkest sepulchures blazed with light

We sit orderly and upright, badged and buffeted,
Pondering again Your Son's gift to us all,
Teach us, we pray, to love mercy, do justice,
and walk stooped low under our bloody crosses
Until we bleed scarlet red to the ends of the earth.