For Eastertide

For Steve Collins

Great angels all adore Him
and hearts both brave and true.
Behold the Living Saviour
Who makes creation new!
Though slain from the foundation
of all the world we know,
He triumphs over evil,
and in His steps we go.

Remember how in Egypt
God's people decked the door
with blood from lambs to mark them
their sons Death would passo'er.
The Lamb of God, of Mary
has shed His Blood to sign
the Cross, the Christian's doorway
into the Life divine.

Death's stronghold could not hold Him.
The gates of hell He smashed.
Christ frees from Satan's clutching
all souls His Blood has washed.
From death, alive and risen
in victory to reign,
He soon returns. Behold Him!
Hallelujah! Amen!

Words: Copyright © 1998 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Text revision for "Aurelia": Copyright © 2007 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Tune: Aurelia

"The Incarnation of the Human Values Necessary to My Life"

A German Catholic priest told that one day he saw a painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary hanging in place of honor in the cabinet of Field Marshal Hindenburg. As the priest did not hide his surprise, Hindenburg (who was a Lutheran) said, "I see in the Blessed Virgin the incarnation of the human values necessary to my life."

It is possible to dream of a better definition of what Mary has brought to the world? To a world completely abandoned to proud egoism, Mary teaches the humility of Bethlehem. To a world dominated by money and greed, she recalls the poverty of Nazareth. To a twisted, dishonest world, she brings truth and simplicity. To a world that gets more and more hardened by hatred every day, she repeats her lessons of gentleness. To an impure and vain world, she offers the testimony of her fertile virginity. To an aged world, she brings her eternal youth.

H. Engelmann
Excerpt from his book I Lost the Faith (J’ai perdu la foi, p.91)