Here is another piece you might like. It uses the CONFLATION of individual person and whole church (Note: The Virgin Mother of God" is an expression used historically BOTH of Mary and of the Church.) to explore the nature of Christ's saving mystery on the Cross. Its a dialog of Lamentation between Jesus and his mom, Mary. She is understandably concerned and dismayed at his being a victom. She reminds him that when he healed the body of the paralytic it did not hurt him, and so she asks why he must suffer in saving Adam and his race. Christ's answer teaches her that Adam is not only sick in body but in soul also -- and for this he must suffer. Repeatedly he ASKS her to ask him (intercession, which of course is for the whole church, all who are alive...here on earth and those with the Lord) to heal those in need of healing, and save those in need of salvation. Mary's suffering of seeing her son and her suffering in joining him vicariously by asking him to undergo his passion for the sake of God's will that he, the Word, also wills, serves as the narrative light in this creative story.

I hope that my description is adequate.

-B

Here's the LINK:

Lamentation of the Theotokos

Posted Thursday, April 17, 2008

As we approach Holy Week, you won't want to miss this powerful reading by Frederica of the Lamentation of the Theotokos written by St. Romanos the Melodist and translated by Fr. Ephrem Lash. It was taken from the book "On the Life of Christ: Kontakia", published in 1994 and available from Eighth Day Books.

http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/frederica