Godhead Here in Hiding

Hymn (adapted from the prayer) [translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins, sj (1844–1889)]

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more, See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart, Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.

• Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived:
  How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
  What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;
  Truth himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.
• On the cross thy godhead made no sign to men,
  Here thy very manhood steals from human ken:
  Both are my confession, both are my belief,
  And I pray the prayer of the dying thief.
• I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
  But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he;
  Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move,
  Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.
• O thou our reminder of Christ crucified,
  Living bread, the life of us for whom he died,
  Lend this life to me then: feed and feast my mind,
  There be thou the sweetness man was meant to find.
• Bring the tender tale true of the pelican;
  Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what thy bosom ran –
  Blood whereof a single drop has power to win
  All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.
• Jesu, whom I look at shrouded here below,
  I beseech thee send me what I thirst for so,
  Some day to gaze on thee face to face in light
  And be blest for ever with thy glory’s sight. Amen.