MAGDALENE.

New Zealand Tablet, 13 March 1919, Page 11

MAGDALENE.

He did not turn His face aside When she came down the street, With roses wreathed in her hair, On little dancing feet. He did not shun the wanton eye That boldly sought His face; It was not that He did not know This "sinner of the place". And there were surely many men Who thought it wise to frown Upon Him when they saw Him smile On a woman of the town. Because He did not turn aside As she came down the street, A later day she gave her hair To wipe His bloodstained feet; Because He did not frown upon That wanton woman's face, When others fled she followed Him Unto His dying place ; And gave her heart and soul to Him Who did not turn aside— This woman who was one of those For whom He lived and died. And do we do, as He would do, When day by day we meet Poor sinners whom the Pharisees Will turn from in the street? Aye, in the : »street for men to see Who cannot see the soul, Nor ever come to understand How love can make us whole. If we are strong and others weak, Some day we too may fall; Then may we love as Mary loved The Christ Who loves us all. : , (Reprinted at the request of an esteemed correspondent.)