A HYMN FOR THE 4th SUNDAY IN LENT
I hope for heaven thereby,
Nor yet because who love thee not
Are lost eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear
And manifold disgrace;
And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
Yea, death itself — and all for one
Who was thine enemy.
Then why, O blessèd Jesu Christ,
Should I not love thee well?
Not for the sake of winning heaven,
Nor of escaping hell.
Not from the hope of gaining aught,
Nor seeking a reward;
But as thyself hast lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord
So would I love thee, dearest Lord,
And in thy praise will sing,
Solely because thou art my God,
And my most loving King.
Attributed to St. Francis Xavier, translated by Edward Caswall, 1849
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