October 10
THE PERPETUAL OBLATION
“In all their affliction he was afflicted.”—Isa. lxiii. 9.
“Ah, if I loved My brother less I might
Gain solace now and then,
And not be left in solitary Light
Doomed by disloyal men;
If I did not deem it un-Christlike shame
A moment even to tire,
Consumèd thus in undestroying flame
A very Soul on fire.
Earth saw but once the darkness of My lot,
But every day I die
For some creation, and there is no spot
Of space not Calvary.
Betwixt two thieves, the Hate and Scorn of all,
I must for ever hang;
And that, athirst for love, in vain I call
Is my most piercing pang.
It is an hourly passion which I bear,
Most willing and most sweet,
This royal wedding-robe which I must wear
That is my winding-sheet.
No sight of mortal could endure the loss,
The bondage that is Mine
And shall be always, the stupendous Cross
So human and Divine.”
