The Fourth Nail April 6, 2021By Father J. Collin Poston Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Dust and Dewfall, Easter For Holy Week and the Easter Season, Father J. Collin Poston composed the following poem. It is written from the perspective of the man who made the nails which crucified Jesus. To watch Father Poston recite the poem, scroll down. Iron sharpens iron And man sharpens manThis was once said Long before this Man. Forging iron in fireIs my craft and my tradeMy work and my giftAnd I love what Is made. Fire with firm hammerWith much strength coming down And most carefully shaping For so many in this town. These nails meant for woodTo fix and hold fastI’ve made hundreds of them And they’re made to last. As I worked in my shopOne slow Friday morningA commotion ensued Outside without warning. A man being led To a hill, bearing woodHe was bloody and bruisedAnd it didn’t look good. I followed and watched Astonished and grieved What happened nextIs most hard to believe… The nails that I madeWith such love and devotionWere driven to his handsAnd to wood in one motion. His torturers lifted himHigh on a “Cross”In such a dark moment All seemed so, so lost. But something surprisedRather shook me instead He prayed for his murderersAnd then bowed his head. My nails, so simpleNow bathed in blood redHad served a new purposeEven with this Man dead. The fourth nail did teach meThree fixed to hand and feetThis man was a KingAnd Son of God I did meet. I now fall on my knees In contrition and sorrowBut with great hope in His mercyFor today and tomorrow. I went back to my shopIn grief and in tears But later, one said“He’s alive”: And a new death to my fears. Also see Question Corner: What are my Easter duties? Walking the Emmaus road as a family Pope on Easter: Jesus’ resurrection makes Christians pilgrims of hope Beyond the veil Christ’s light breaks through world’s darkness, pope says in vigil message Rice Bowl a call to ‘stand in solidarity with global family,’ CRS says A basket filled with faith: Eastern Europe Easter tradition explained ‘Why them and not me,’ pope asks after Holy Thursday visit to prison ‘Waking up to God’: Desire for community, renewed faith interest may explain U.S. boost in numbers of new Catholics Copyright © 2021 Catholic Review Media Print
‘Waking up to God’: Desire for community, renewed faith interest may explain U.S. boost in numbers of new Catholics