Jesus, our Love

'The Descent from the Cross', before 1443, by Rogier van der Weyden (1399-1464), Museo del Prado, Madrid

1. Oh come and mourn with me awhile!
See, Mary calls us to her side;
Oh come and let us mourn with her;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

2. Have we no tears to shed for Him,
While soldiers scoff and Jews deride?
Ah! look how patiently He hangs;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

3. How fast His Hands and Feet are nailed;
His blessèd Tongue with thirst is tied;
His failing Eyes are blind with blood:
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

4. His Mother cannot reach His Face;
She stands in helplessness beside;
Her heart is martyred with her Son’s;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

5. Seven times He spoke, seven words of love,
And all three hours His silence cried
For mercy on the souls of men;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

6. What was Thy crime, my dearest Lord?
By earth, by heaven, Thou hast been tried,
And guilty found of too much love:
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

7. Found guilty of excess of love,
It was Thine own sweet will that tied
The tighter far than helpless nails;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

8. Death came, and Jesus meekly bowed;
His falling eyes He strove to guide
With mindful love to Mary’s face;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

9. Oh break, Oh break, hard heart of mine!
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
His Pilate and his Judas were;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

10. Come, take thy stand beneath the Cross
And let the Blood from out that Side
Fall gently on thee drop by drop;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified.

11. A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask, and they will not be denied;
A broken heart, Love’s cradle is;
Jesus, our Love, is crucified!

12. O Love of God! O Sin of Man!
In this dread act your strength is tried;
And victory remains with Love;
For He, our Love, is crucified!

Fr Frederick Faber, Cong. Orat., 1814-1863