Crown of Thorns

A visual animation to Danielle Rose’s song ‘Crown of Thorns’, in which a beautiful story unfolds throughout about our plans vs God’s plan.

This video feature provides a creative reflection on ‘the rose’ that became the crown of thorns: the crown that was forced by soldiers violently onto the head of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. This video and the accompanying music connects the beauty of Jesus’ salvific act with a narrative from a flower that had a dream to be the “King’s most precious rose.”

LYRICS
My seed was born One bright spring morn In gardens grown by God. Out of the earth My stem gave birth To petals red as blood.

The gentile rain My growth sustained, And like each seed God sows, I dreamed one day That I’d be named A king’s most precious rose. 

One day a soldier Bent me over, Tore me from my bed. All beaten, battered, My stem tattered, Wanted but for dead In cruel hands ripped, My beauty stripped, ‘Twas not the dream I chose, And filled with shame, I wept in pain, No more a precious rose. 

Then I did see The soldiers lead A man through palace doors. Was this my king? Why did they bring him in, This man so poor? A purple garment Hid the torment None but I could see.

They mocked and laughed, Gave him a staff, And bowed on bended knee. They bent me round And wove a crown And placed me on his head.

My petals found Crushed on the ground, Like tears of God turned red. With each small sin I was pressed in. I pierced with self-disdain. In thought and deed I made him bleed, My selfishness, his pain.

“Behold!” they’d sing, “Behold your King! Hail, King of the Jews!” With each reed’s blow, Our pain did grow, As one we were abused. 

Despite the crown He did not frown; He smiled with love instead, And carried me For all to see Upon his tender head. Once placed with awe In manger straw, Anointed by John’s hands, Transfigured on A mountain dawn, Now wore a mangled branch. 

Once gently kissed By Mary’s lips, And blessed with magi’s myrrh, Baptized by A parting sky, Now streamed with blood so pure.

An innocent brow Calls to us now To follow this example: To let our thorns And all that scorns Be healed within his temple. 

Though dreams may fade, Each one was made In seed that Jesus sows. And now I see I’m called to be The King’s most precious rose.

REFLECT
1. How did the video make you feel?
2. What emotions did you go through at the beginning, middle and end of the video?
3. How did the rose feel when the vision for her life didn’t go to plan?
4. Does this roses story relate to your own life?
5. What about the life of a saint or a family member… (for example, a saint or family member who had a vision for their life but God took them in a different direction)?

PRAY
O God, we understand that you know the plans you have for us.
However sometimes you surprise us with how you want us
to use our gifts and talents.
Please grant us the faith and trust we need to be your faithful servants,
keep us from stress and anxiety when the vision for our life
does not unfold the way we imagined.
Jesus we trust in You.
Amen.

ACT Invite someone new to join you for Easter Mass