Blessedd Are Those Persecuted for Righteousness Sake,br />

Along the Via Dolorosa they will walk,
They follow lovingly throughout the years,
To where His gate will open when they knock.

They hear the whip and scourge of hateful talk,
The taunting tongue that lashes, tongue that jeers,
Along the Via Dolorosa they will walk.

The hearts they love can't enter and still mock,
For this, the persecuted hearts cry tears,
To where His gate will open when they knock.

And those who miscontrue the tears will stalk
The unafraid who love those who have fears,
Along the Via Dolorosa they will walk.

On Golgotha, the Shepherd calls His flock,
To them, the Holy Spirit He endears,
To where His gate will open when they knock.

He leaves the Dove and rises like a Hawk,
In flight, and yet earthbound, their Heaven nears,
Along the Via Dolorosa they will walk
To where His gate will open when they knock.

Rich Tassinari 4/22/2012