Monday, November 27, 2006

Poetry for His Mercy

I am addicted to Poetry! At least it's one endeavour of humanity that reveals a bit about how intelligent the mind can be stretched when we allow our God-given abilities to be put to work. Since discovering that I have the gift, I have not seized to follow after greater minds and works of other reknowned poets. Sometimes I wonder what am doing pursuing a career in the sciences when it's obvious that my natural inclinations tend towards arts, literature and nature. I guess that's some food for my thoughts.

Lately I have been reading after some poets, especially those whose work covey the depths of the meaning of Christianity. They have been a blessing to my life, teaching me how to carve words into meaningful use, and reminding me of the darkness our Lord went through to save humanity as well as the dawn of his glorious resurrection and ascention to proclaim victory over death, sin and the law to bridge the gap that existed as a result of the fall at Eden, between God and man.

The Twelfth-century monk, Bernard of Clairvaux paints a vivid picture of redemption in poetry. I like this and thought to share. Read on...

What thou, my Lord has suffered
Was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression
But thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my saviour!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
Look on me with thy favor,
Vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest friend,
For thus Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever;
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to Thee.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Really, redemption just reminds me o Jesus's act of condescending so low; though he thught it no robbery for the earth is still his and it's fullness therein, to bestow us with so much a grace. Hence, even if i yet faint; which is inevitable really - not because it was/is planned, His love fishes me out of that state of mind that tends to condemnation as though i want to crucify him again. Light shines again no matter what. All these i appreciate in Bernard's picture of redemption;....
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to Thee.
Living without His love is like living to save oneself from the curse of sin; God forbids, He's payed it all and i know!