Holy Week Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons: Tuesday

Chludov - St Peter

Lectio Hymn

O Jesus I Have Promised

The words of this much loved hymn of Christian discipleship, were written by an Anglican priest, John Ernest Bode (1816-1874) and had its beginning in the confirmation of the poet's daughter and two sons in 1866.

Bode served a small parish near Cambridge, England, and when his three children were ready for confirmation and wrote this hymn especially for the occasion. He told them: "I have written a hymn concerning all the important truths I want you to remember." From that time it has entered the musical repertoire of English hymns and is now an ecumenical favourite with a variety of impressive tunes.

The hymn is particularly associated with discipleship and commitment and as such is a poignant reminder of what we ourselves are called to be as followers of Jesus, especially given the gospel of today which highlights the fragility of Judas Iscariot and also Peter. For it reminds us that we too might stumble and fall on our own faith journey. But it is a hymn of consolation and support to lift us up, for the lyrics contain some wonderful prayers in short phrases such as: 'give me grace to follow'. 'O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own'. 'O speak and make me listen'. 'O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end'.

So we journey through this Tuesday may the words of this hymn help us strengthen our baptismal promises, but also allow us to support all those journeying with us to baptism, but also our brothers and sisters in places of tension and war, such as Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, particularly in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

O Jesus I have Promised

O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
be now and ever near me,
my master and my friend:
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.

2. O let me feel you near me,
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but Jesus, draw still nearer
and shield my soul from sin!

3. O let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still;
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will:
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
and speak to make me listen,
O Guardian of my soul.

4. O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you,
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow
my master and my friend.

5. O let me see your footmarks
and in them place my own;
my hope to follow truly
is in your strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end;
and then in heaven receive me,
my Saviour and my friend.

John E Bode 1816-74

Poem

Peter

by Malcolm Guite

Impulsive master of misunderstanding

You comfort me with all your big mistakes;

Jumping the ship before you make the landing,

Placing the bet before you know the stakes.

I love the way you step out without knowing,

The way you sometimes speak before you think,

The way your broken faith is always growing,

The way he holds you even when you sink.

Born to a world that always tried to shame you,

Your shaky ego vulnerable to shame,

I love the way that Jesus chose to name you,

Before you knew how to deserve that name.

And in the end your Saviour let you prove

That each denial is undone by love.