The Rebellious Child and the Divine Example

This is an English translation of an excerpt from the Pasyon. The Pasyon is an epic poem originated from the Spanish-Colonial Period in the Philippines narrating the life of Jesus Christ from his birth until resurrection; however, the main and lengthiest part of this poem focuses on the Passion of Christ, hence the name of the poety. 

This excerpt is a lesson after the story of Jesus' Finding in the Temple is narrated in the poem. It teaches that children should obey and respect their parents, because disobedience brings harm and dishonor. It shows how Jesus, though He is God, humbly obeyed His parents to set an example for all.

There is no official English translation of the Pasyon (Spanish orthography: Pasion). This is an unofficial translation and the title is not a part of the Pasyon.

I

O, thou rebellious, stubborn child,
To sire and dam unreconciled—
Behold, and gaze with pious eye
These lowly deeds from God Most High,
The Lord of wisdom, meek and mild.

II

He is the King of matchless fame,
Of Heaven's height and earth's wide frame.
All things were wrought by His command,
Yet He became a child so grand,
A pattern giv’n for us to claim.

III

But thou, O wayward, willful one,
Who heedest not what they have done—
Thy parents call thee, give thee task,
Thy brows do furrow, scowls unmasked,
And snarling voice is quickly spun.

IV

Their word is one, in union just,
Thy tongue replies with endless gust;
A thousand words, defiance loud,
Thou makest strife thy solemn vow,
And disobeyest in distrust.

V

This is betrayal, rank and foul,
A haughty thought, a wrathful scowl—
O child of fierce and stubborn way,
Thy wickedness shall bring decay,
And ruin be thy lasting toll.

VI

Unless thou dost thy faults amend,
And to thy crooked ways an end—
Full sure shall be thy agony,
Thy pains shall come abundantly
Upon thy soul, in latter end.

VII

Let this thy soul disturb with grief,
Reflect, and find no proud relief;
All toil, all tears, all mortal woe,
Thy parents bore in time ago,
That thou mightst rise in sweet belief.

VIII

Though thou shouldst cleave thy flesh in twain,
Or grind thy bones to dust and pain,
Or burn thy hairs, each single thread—
These pay no price for what they bled,
Nor ease the weight of what was slain.

IX

If thou remain in willful way,
Unmoved by all thou hearest say,
Then shalt thou ne’er be true, nor right,
But cursed beneath the holy light
Of God, our Lord, by close of day.

X

So now, what best becometh thee:
In Jesus take thy cue, and see—
How glad He did His Father's will,
And bowed to every word, until
He died for us, on Calvary.

This is not a direct translation, the words have been rephrased from its original language (Tagalog) in order for the poem to express its message clearly in the translation. The Pasyon/Pasion (Pasyong Mahal) is in Public Domain.