Behold, He Makes All Things New

In the depiction of the Fourth Station of the Way of the Cross—Jesus Meets His Mother—Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion” has Jesus, under the weight of the cross, tell Mary, “See, Mother, I make all things news.” That is a Biblical quote, of sorts. Jesus did say those words, in Revelation 21:5, although directed to his Mother.

The Apostle John’s vision of the New Heaven and New Earth sees “the one who sat on the throne” say, “Behold, I make all things new.”

How do we collaborate in the New Creation God has gifted us through his Son? Because, while God is omnipotent, he created us with free will and as we know from experience, he will not force us to accept his Life. I knew I wanted a picture of the Tree of Life for this post, but this one—with the Fruits of the Holy Spirit— was lovely, and perfect! This is exactly how we are each made a new creation through the grace won for us through Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection…

Which of these comes most natural to me? What circumstances and parts of my story factor into that? Which is hardest? Why? And what invitation is God asking me to give and/or receive today?

Christ, for thee a wreath adorning
Weaves my raptured soul with glee,
For from death this glorious morning
Thou hast risen triumphantly.
From the tomb behold him rising,
Christ our Lord whose praise is sung.
Death is slain; O pow'r surprising!
Hades' gates are open flung.
Thou for man to earth in meekness
Came that he new born might be;
Thou upon the cross in weakness
Died that he might die with thee.
Thou did rise—we hail thee, Jesus!
And we leave the tomb with thee.
Victor, by the pow'r that frees us,
Where thou art, there we would be.
Hark! the highest heav'ns are ringing,
Choirs angelic lead the strain,
And my opened lips in singing
Tell the praises forth again.
-St. Gregory Nazianzen, 4th c., translated by John Brownlie, 1900. In the Public Domain.

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John Browlie, a Scottish Protestant minister and hymnodist, translated countless hymns from the Latin and Greek. While others (mainly John Mason Neale) had already translated many of the Latin hymns, it is his Greek translations that get most often used. (The two I selected today both came from my April 2026 Magnificat). I have some hard copies of his work - they are very accessible, and I find the archaic language is like a “genuflection” of my mind. Though common speech in its time, that space and distance helps me to actuate myself as a creature before her Creator, while at the same time experience the marvel of just how immensely loved I am that this great God desires such intimate closeness with me…

When on the cruel cross
The Lord was lifted high,
Affrighted earth in terror quailed
To see its Maker die.
Then had the yawning caves
Devoured the murderous band,
Had not the Crucified in love
Stretch forth his saving hand.
Thou gave thyself to die,
Dark Hades to explore,
To bring new souls in prison bound
New life for evermore.
O Lover of mankind,
To thee all glory be,
For thou did give not death, but life,
When hanging on the tree.
-From the Greek, translation by John Brownlie, 1900. In the Public Domain.