My God, I love Thee, not because I hope for heaven thereby;
Nor yet since they who love Thee not must burn =
eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgra=
ce;
An=
d griefs and torments numberless, and sweat of agony;
=
E’en death itself; and all for one who was Thine enemy.
Then why, O ble=
ssed Jesus Christ, should I not love Thee well,
Not for the sake of winning heaven or of escaping hell;
Not with the hope of =
gaining aught, not seeking a reward;
But as =
Thyself hast loved me, O ever-loving Lord?
E’en so I love Thee, and will love a=
nd in Thy praise will sing,
Solely because T=
hou art my God and my eternal King.
&nb=
sp;
[Latin text: Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
English translation: Edward Caswall (1814 – 1878)=
]
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
"Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!"
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