Your Holy Face

This was written after contemplating the Shroud of Turin. I have a portrait of the face of Jesus layered under an image of the Shroud. I think it was made in Italy and I bought at a local Catholic shop where I live that is no longer there. The image is such that depending on where you look you see the shroud or the painted face or various combinations of both. Looking it up, I see that the proper term is “lenticular printing”. (I remember as a child in England we called them “winky pictures”.) Anyway, I would often look at the image to focus in prayer and this is how the song came about. On the recording, my brother, Mike, is singing backing vocals and plays bass, and our friend, Dave, is playing the bongos. It was recorded in 2002, not long after I wrote it.

YOUR HOLY FACE


I rest with You in prayer

The night is quiet and

the soft light plays upon the beauty of Your face



I look into Your eyes

And feel You come to life

The face behind the Shroud 

Your eyes beholding me



But if I saw You truly as You were

Your beauty marred by those You loved

I could not look upon Your Holy Face

Disfigured, bruised, torn and bleeding

Repulsed by all, Your Mother weeping

Forgive me for I fear I could not look upon Your face



Your portrait in my hands

I see more than a man

Images and hallowed scenes come to life before me



Your Mother’s face comes into view

Your eyes are hers, it’s true

I gaze in wonder, feeling peace

Her gentle smile soothing



But if I saw You truly as You were

Your beauty marred by those You loved

I could not look upon Your Holy Face

Disfigured, bruised, torn and bleeding

Repulsed by all, Your Father weeping

Forgive me for I fear I could not look upon Your face



The Cross is plain to see

The light of love emblazoned in Your countenance

Promising life to all who will believe



But in the shadows of Your face

A darker Cross reveals its place

Showing me the price You paid to loose the 
chains that bind me



But when I see myself through Your eyes

And understand that Your beauty 

Was marred by all the wrong I’ve ever done

You bore the ugliness of all my sins

It was my sins that scourged and crowned You

Bruised Your Face and spit upon You

Emotions well within my body

Still I doubt my sincerity



How hard it is to hear and bear, my Lord, I hide in shame

For surely if I loved You, I would look upon Your face

Lord give me the courage, help me look upon Your face


Upon Your Holy Face 

Upon Your Holy Face
(May the light of Thy face shine upon us
)

© 2002 Paul Lisney 1/30 - 1/31/02