St. James' Church Bushypark Galway

I’m Joseph, the man who owned the tomb. I watched the Crucifixion of Jesus with most of his friends at a distance.

You might say I often felt I was dead in myself,
hanging around the edge of the crowd with him,
asking questions with Nicodemus. Jesus didn’t seem to mind that – come close when you want to, no pressure – was the impression he gave, and I feel closer now.

Life was privileged for me, no big problems, enough money and family connections, but it was very dead. I’m like people who have never forgiven themselves, or who are too scared to love someone, or who find it hard to become close to another person, or who thought that Jesus would ask too much.

All he asked of me was my tomb, and I’m glad now to be rid of that. I loved security, in life and death –
I planned where I’d be buried, and sure,
I lived my life half buried in laws and fears and whispers of joy.

Now I feel born again, refreshed by the water of his side. I knew when I gave that tomb away, I was getting back the gift of life.

Then I was the owner of a tomb, now I
have been gifted with the fullness of his life.