For Noël on Mother’s Day
May 14, 2000

Where Was Mary?

“After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

Where was Mary, Jesus’ mother
When he sang his final song?
Where was Mary on the evening
Of the world’s most wicked wrong?

Where was Mary at the moment
Jesus broke the tender bread?
Where was Mary when he blessed it
With his mercy and his dread?

Where was Mary in the darkness
When he poured the cup of wine?
When he spoke of blood and promise,
And he whispered, “This is mine”?

Where was Mary when the Sovereign
Put his garment to the side,
When he washed the feet of sinners
On his knees before he died?

Where was Mary on the night when
Jesus sang his final song?
Where was Mary on the evening
Of the world’s most wicked wrong?

* * *
She was in the lower chamber
By the window open wide;
She was list’ning; she was praying
On her knees before he died.

When she heard the word “remember”
She remembered everything:
How she quoted from the Psalter
And she taught him how to sing;

How the bread was baked in ovens
With a blazing fire below;
How the grapes were crushed and beaten
For the blood-red wine to flow.

Where was Mary Jesus’ mother
When he sang his final song
She was kneeling by the window
Where through tears she sang along.