The Religious Herald

Christ Inviting the Soul,
[Translated from the Russian.]

Why, O man, hast thou left me?
Why hast thou turned from Him that
loveth thee?
Why hast thou again joined thyself to
my enemy?
Remember, that for thy sake I came
down from heaven.
Remember, that for thy sake I became
flesh.
Remember, that for thy sake I was born
of a virgin.
Remember, that for thy sake I went
through childhood.
Remember, that for thy sake I was
brought low.
Remember, that for thy sake I became
poor.
Remember, that for thy sake I lived on
the earth
Remember, that for thy sake I was persecuted.
Remember, that for thy sake I bore evil
speaking, reproaches, angry words, dishonor,
wounds, spitting, blows, mockings, and
bitter sufferings.
Remember, that for thy sake I was numbered
among the transgressors.
Remember, that for thy sake I suffered a
cruel death.
Remember, that for thy sake I was buried.
I came down from heaven to raise thee
to heaven.
I was made low to exalt thee.
I was dishonored to bring glory upon
thee.
I was wounded to heal thee.
I died that thou mightest have life.
Thou didst sin, and I took thy sin upon
myself.
Thou wast guilty, and I bore thy punishment.
Thou wast a debtor, and I paid the debt.
Thou wast condemned to death and I died
for thee.
To this my love and compassion led me.
I could not bear that thou shouldst suffer
such evil.
Dost thou despise this my love?
Instead of love, thou givest me hatred.
Thou lovest sin and not me.
Thou laborest for thy passions, and not
for me.
Now, what dost thou find in me deserving
thy dislike.
Why dost thou not wish to come to me?
Dost thou desire good for thyself? Every
good is with me.
Dost thou desire happiness? Every blessing
is with me.
Dost thou desire beauty? What is more
beautiful than I am?
Dost thou desire dignity? What is more
noble than the Son of God?
Dost thou desire glory? Who is more
glorious than I?
Dost thou desire exaltation? Who is
higher than the King of heaven?
Dost thou wish for wealth? I have all
riches.
Dost thou desire wisdom? I am the
wisdom of God?
Dost thou desire friendship? Who is
more worthy of love, and more loving than
I? for I laid down my life for all.
Dost thou seek help? Who can help except
me.
Dost thou seek a physician? Who can
heal except me?
Dost thou seek joy? Who can give joy
except me.
Dost thou seek consolation in grief?
Who can console except me?
Dost thou seek rest? In me thou canst
have rest for thy soul.
Dost thou seek peace? I am the Peace
of the soul.
Dost thou seek life? I am the fountain
of life.
Dost thou seek light? I am the Light of
the world.
Dost thou seek truth? I am the Truth.
Dost thou seek the way? I am the Way.
Dost thou seek a guide to heaven? I am
the true Guide.
Why dost thou not wish to come to me?
Dost thou not dare to come? To whom
is there an easier access?
Art thou fearful of asking? Whom,
coming to me with faith, have I refused?
Do thy sins hinder thee? I died for sinners.
Does the multitude of thy sins distress
thee? In me is abundant mercy.
Come unto me all ye that are weary
and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matt. xi. 28)