We went to the famous Passion Play on 29 June 2010 and had a wonderful time there and later in Austria. I wrote a poem which was read at a service the following Sunday for our group and another group running parallel with us. Here it is.
Oberammergau Passion Play, 29 June 2010.
Now let me tell you briefly how
Things went at Oberammergau,
A tourist village, busy, clean,
With all around a mountain scene.
We went, of course, to see the Play
The twenty ninth of June our day,
And so we did, and it was great,
No matter that it went on late,
We saw the Passion tale unfold,
That story on the stage was told
By locals playing all the parts,
Excelling in performing arts
With livestock and that great big horse
Unfazed by noise, a tour de force;
Great drama, music, tableaux too,
Helped by the able backup crew
Who made the costumes skilfully
Or did the choreography.
Their efforts told of Jesus’ life,
Especially the final strife,
When his prophetic ministry
Conflicted with authority;
Betrayed, arrested put on trial,
That Pilate man was really vile;
And darkness came – as if to stay -
The cross, and Jesus whisked away.
But then a little glimpse of light
The Risen Lord returned to sight.
As light was passed from youth to age
He led his people from the stage.
Applause was loud but none returned
For accolades that they had earned;
And stunned we left the Passion Play
With much to ponder on our way.
A grand performance, marvellous,
But how has it affected us?
As lost for words we may well be,
For moments in eternity,
But from the Play this much is clear
The crucified now lives, is here!
W. John Young July 2010
