Faces at the Cross: A Lent and Easter Collection of Poetry and Prose - Hardcover

The Reverend Dr. J. Barrie Shepherd, a native of Great Britain, retired as Minister Emeritus from The First Presbyterian Church in New York City. Prior to that he was senior minister of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church for sixteen years and served in college and university chaplaincy and teaching. He has preached and lectured at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke and other universities and colleges and many of the major seminaries, as well as in distinguished pulpits across the USA and in the UK, Europe and Africa. The author is an avid saltwater fisherman and sailor. He enjoys swimming, walking, gardening and playing the euphonium in community bands. He and his wife Mhairi have four daughters and three granddaughters.

Who was actually present at the crucifixion? Who was really there? It is the eternal question of the curious. In Part One of Faces, Barrie assembles his own partial answer, a cast of 17 characters who either are actually named in biblical accounts of the crucifixion or are representative of the many others presumed to have been there. Imaginative poetic monologues explore the emotions, confusions, rationalizations and insights of people like Simon of Cyrene, Mary Magdalen, the Centurion, a bystander, etc. Ultimately, of course, these reflections invite the reader to recognize his or her own face among the circle of those gathered at the cross. Part Two presents contemporary meditations on traditional Lenten themes such as sin, evil, greed, repentance and salvation. Part Three, a series of short verses arranged to lead their users from Ash Wednesday through Lent and Holy Week into Easter, is perfectly suited to enrich public worship and/or provide a catalyst for private devotions.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.