Mr. Janeiro on Chesterton's "A Hymn"
Dear All,
In times of uncertainty and obscurity, we are thankful to have the works of the Western Canon to turn to, the wisdom of the great souls that we encounter, and Chesterton himself, not the least of these to bolster us. I have found confirmation and strength in reading this, A Hymn by G. K. Chesterton, which is both poem and prayer:
A Hymn
By G. K. Chesterton
O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.
Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.
As we seek to find secure ground on which to stand within the shifting ground of the media reports, Chesterton reminds us that we can find that secure ground in humility, particularly when faced with the errors of those in power, divisions within our own community, and the separation that has been imposed upon us.
He goes on to ask for deliverance from fear, from lies, from easy comfort, from the belittling of human worth and of the indignation that would protect it, and lastly from the two that would most threaten us: from sleep, a burying our head in the sand, and from the damnation that would result from ignoring the plight of those around us.
He concludes by praying that God bind us more securely to each other, and to show us his justice and his mercy, that we may through this trial be forged anew. May it be for the Chesterton community as Chesterton implores, that we find in this a trial that forges us anew, that binds us more securely together with the bonds of love and charity, and the more securely to our God, who is "God of Earth and altar."
Many Blessings,
Dan Janeiro