Dec 25, 2023
O first martyr,
model of Christ’s love
and bearer of His Holy Spirit
in wisdom and in truth,
you who spoke as the Lord Himself
and died as He died,
with the forgiveness of your persecutors
upon your lips
and utter trust of the Father
in your heart –
pray that we too
will find the grace and strength
to commend our lives
into the Father’s hands,
never holding bitterness
toward those who destroy the body,
who would chain the Word,
but ever loving every soul
even as you have done.
O let our hearts be set on Jesus!
let them bleed as His own,
that united in Heaven with Him we shall be
with you in the glory of God.