Simon-Peter

“From thy boat I called thee,
Two natures do I see,
Peter the saint; Simon the sinner.
Ah, but which shall be the winner?
Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Master, Thou shalt not go to the Cross,
I could not bear such a loss!
“Get thou, Satan, behind Me!
From My Father’s will I shall not flee,
My flesh must needs hang like dross.”

But mine are the keys!
I have the highest of authorities!
I can loose and bind,
A fisher of men with souls to find.
“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?

Lord, let me come across the sea,
My eyes taken from You, Lord save me!
From the depths Thy hand did pull my cloak
And with awful loving words Thou spoke,
“Simon, son of John, why didst thou doubt what thou could see?

What a sight on Mount Tabor,
Let us, O Lord, labor
And make three tents
To hold fast Thy glorious Presence
This sweet moment to savor!

I’ll defend Thee by my sword,
Only halting at Thy word,
“Put thy sword into its scabbard,
The Shepherd struck, the sheep scattered.
Simon, Son of John, do you love Me as thy Lord?”

In the Garden I slept,
Vigil by the fire I kept,
I denied I knew Thee,
Even as Thou lookest on me,
In sorrow I ran and bitterly wept.

With furrows running from my eyes,
Sadly did I arise,
To return to my boat and net,
When by Thee I was beset.
“Simon, son of John, do you love Me, even to go and baptize?”

From Rome I fled the persecution,
My heart set with firm resolution,
There I met Thee along the way,
Quo vadis Domine?
“Simon, son of John, I go to die again in destitution.”

Not so, O Lord! I shall take Thy place!
I’ll turn round and renew my pace,
Unworthy am I,
In the same manner as my Lord to die,
Lord, You know that I love Thee, let me once more see Thy Face!

“Ah, at last thou man of Galilee,
Hath conquered and won thy victory.
Of My Church I have spoken,
Hell’s gates shall be broken!
Peter, feed My sheep, for I knowest thou lovest Me!

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