Compassion Quote by John Berryman
““The Prayer of the Middle-Aged Man Amid the doctors in the Temple at twelve, between mother & host at Cana implored too soon, in the middle of disciples, the midst of the mob, between High-Priest and Procurator, among the occupiers, between the malefactors, and 'stetit in medio, et dixit, pax vobis' and 'ascensit ad mediam Personarum et caelorum,' dear my Lord,mercy a sinner nailed dead-centre too, pray not to late,- for also Ezra stood between the seven & the six, restoring the new Law.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, 1960s
A dense, allusive prayer blends biblical and historical references, pleading for mercy amid chaos and conflict.
In simple terms: A prayer mixing biblical scenes and history asks for mercy.
Key Takeaway
Seek mercy in chaotic times.
Themes
prayer
history
conflict
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
poetic
liturgical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- war
- spiritual doubt
- public protest
Key Concepts
Biblical allusion
intertextuality
apocalypse
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “stetit in medio” mean to you?
- How does the mix of eras affect the prayer’s urgency?
A Different Perspective
Complex references may obscure the core plea.
