I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
From the Epistle. [Rom.12:1]
7,7,7,7
Höchster Priester, der du dich
Angelus.1657.
trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855
Great High-priest, who deign'dst to be
Once the sacrifice for me,
Take this living heart of mine,
Lay it on Thy holy shrine.
Love I know accepteth nought,
Save what Thou, O Love, hast wrought;
Offer Thou my sacrifice,
Else to God it cannot rise.
Slay in me the wayward will,
Earthly sense and passions kill,
Tear self-love from out my heart,
Though it cost me bitter smart.
Kindle, Mighty Love, the pyre,
Quick consume me in Thy fire,
Fain were I of self bereft,
Nought but Thee within me left.
So may God, the Righteous, brook
On my sacrifice to look;
In whose sight no gift has worth
Save a Christ-like life on earth.