Jesus on the Bridge

This photograph was taken on a recent tour of Central Europe. This is the Charles Bridge in Prague which is lined with religious iconography including this crucifixion scene. I lost track of the number of cathedrals and shrines we visited, but they all had one common denominator; great displays of wealth and splendor. I have always been struck by the dichotomy of extreme poverty in the shadows of great wealth. Particularly when that wealth is embodied by the Christian faith; a faith based on humility and the grace of the dispossessed. Go inside any of these cathedrals or walk across the Charles Bridge and you will find the faithful, but also the curious, the lost, the poor. Walk a few blocks in any direction and you will see more of the same. I cannot help but think that some of this wealth could better serve the poor I saw on Charles Bridge.

In the far away places of my memory

we saw misty mountains from the ridge.

The cathedral looms above the square

like Jesus on the Bridge.

Dark stone towers mark the crossing

as we work our way through the crowds.

The faceless vendors hype their wares

in the shadows of the clouds.

The homeless man kneels before me

outstretched arms extended wide.

With palms turned up in supplication

a sleeping dog by his side.

A few coins for absolution

and we hurry along our way,

to the next tour attraction

fighting back feelings of dismay.

All this splendor amidst the poor,

the palace shines upon the ridge.

As we look down upon the lost

like Jesus on the Bridge.