Stephen the Sabaite: Art thou weary, art thou languid

Saturday, July 23, 2011
    Commemoration of Bridget of Sweden, Abbess of Vadstena, 1373
Meditation:
    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
    —Isaiah 53:3-5 (KJV)
Quotation:
Art thou weary, art thou languid,
    Art thou sore distrest?
“Come to me”—saith One—“and coming,
        Be at rest!”

Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
    If He be my Guide?
“In His Feet and Hands are Wound-prints,
        And His Side.”

Is there Diadem, as Monarch,
    That His Brow adorns?
“Yea, a Crown, in very surety,
        But of Thorns!”

If I find Him, if I follow,
    What His guerdon [reward] here?
“Many a sorrow, many a labour,
        Many a tear.”

If I still hold closely to Him,
    What hath He at last?
“Sorrow vanquish’d, labour ended,
        Jordan past!”

If I ask Him to receive me,
    Will He say me nay?
“Not till earth, and not till Heaven
        Pass away!”

Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
    Is He sure to bless?
“Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,
        Answer, Yes!”
    ... St. Stephen the Sabaite (725-796) & John Mason Neale (1818-1866), Hymns of the Eastern Church, London: J. T. Hayes, 1870, p. 156-158 (see the book)
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, the whole church praises You for salvation.

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