Quiet Dignity

My Jesus, the world still has You on trial.

It keeps asking who You are and why You make the demands You make.

It asks over and over the question, If You are God's Son,

why do You permit the world to be in the state it is in?

Why are You so silent?

Though the arrogance of the world angers me, I must admit that silently,

in the depths of my soul, I too have these questions.

Your humility frustrates me and makes me uncomfortable.

Your strength before Pilate

as You drank deeply from the power of the Father,

gives me the answer to my question

The Father's Will.

You are my Lord and King, now, Lord Jesus

Christ in me is the hope of glory.

With you in me I will be silent in the face of worldly prudence -

steadfast in the faith when all seems lost -

calm when accused unjustly -

free from tyranny of human respect -

ready to do the Father's Will no matter how difficult.

Silent Jesus, give us all the graces we need

to stand tall in the face of the ridicule of the world.

Give the poor the strength not to succumb to their privation

but to be ever aware of their dignity as sons of God.

Grant that we might not bend

to the crippling disease of worldly glory

but be willing to be deprived of all things

rather than lose Your friendship.

My Jesus, though we are accused daily of being fools,

let the vision of Quiet Dignity

standing before Monstrous Injustice,

give us all the courage to be Your followers.

Amen

---R.A. Rizzo