Misinterpretations

When He said take up your cross, he meant not sword and shield
Nor bomb or gun of man as force for you to wield
When He said come follow me, He called you to the grave
By death unto yourself, your life His hand will save
When He died upon the cross, the blood of man was shed
He saved us from our fear so we'd turn to love instead
When He rose, He conquered death, evil trumped by peace
His body once more whole so in Him our sin could cease

Though he said take up your cross, we take up fear and gun
We fight in freedom's name under "blessing of the Son"
Though He said come follow me, we lead with foolish pride
Inflicting pain and wounds, drawing blood from human side
Though He died upon the cross still we lift each nail once more
Piercing hand and feet even deeper than before
Though He rose and conquered death, we cling to self in vain
Exploiting life and peace for our individual gain

His love we twist and bend to fit our human mold
Perverting truth of faith; by the fear our spirits hold
Though we fall He sends us prophets in the voices of the poor
Calling us to justice so our lives He can restore
He waits in patient hope as we ravage land for fame
Claiming rights and blessing in guise of heaven's name
Yet the cries for truth and righteousness get stronger with each voice
'Til liberation comes and surrender reigns as choice

-C. O'Connell-