Germanus: By fruit, the ancient Foe's device

Wednesday, August 7, 2024
    Commemoration of John Mason Neale, Priest, Poet, 1866
Meditation:
    Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
    The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”
    But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
    —John 2:19-21 (NIV)
Quotation:
By fruit, the ancient Foe’s device
Drave Adam forth from Paradise:
Christ, by the cross of shame and pain,
Brought back the dying Thief again:
“When in Thy kingdom, Lord,” said he,
“Thou shalt return, remember me!”

Thy Holy Passion we adore
And Resurrection evermore:
With heart and voice to Thee on high,
As Adam and the Thief we cry:
“When in Thy kingdom Thou shalt be
“Victor o’er all things, think of me!”

Thou, after three appointed days,
Thy Body’s Temple didst upraise:
And Adam’s children, one and all,
With Adam, to New Life didst call:
“When Thou,” they cry, “shalt Victor be
“In that Thy kingdom, think of me!”

Early, O Christ, to find Thy Tomb,
The weeping Ointment-bearers come.
The Angel, cloth’d in white, hath said,
“Why seek the Living with the dead?
“The Lord of Life hath burst death’s chain,
“Whom here ye mourn and seek in vain.”

The Apostles, on Thy Vision bent,
To that appointed mountain went:
And there they worship when they see,
And there the message comes from Thee,
That every race beneath the skies
They should disciple and baptize.

We praise the Father, God on High,
The Holy Son we magnify:
Nor less our praises shall adore
The Holy Ghost for evermore;
This grace, Blest Trinity, we crave;
Thy suppliant servants hear and save.
    ... St. Germanus (634?-734?) & John Mason Neale (1818-1866), Hymns of the Eastern Church, London: J. T. Hayes, 1870, p. 87-89 (see the book)
    See also John 2:19-21; Gen. 3:22-24; Matt. 12:38-39; 28:5-6,16-20; Luke 23:42; 24:5-6
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, You have cancelled the Fall.

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