First Sunday After Epiphany: The Christian Sacrifice

I you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

From the Epistle. [Rom. 12:1]

Great High-priest, who deign'dst to be Once the sacrifice for me, Take this living heart of mine, Lay it on Thy holy shrine.

Love I know accepteth nought, Save what Thou, O Love, hast wrought; Offer Thou my sacrifice, Else to God it cannot rise.

Slay in me the wayward will, Earthly sense and passions kill, Tear self-love from out my heart, Though it cost me bitter smart.

Kindle, Mighty Love, the pyre, Quick consume me in Thy fire, Fain were I of self bereft, Nought but Thee within me left.

So may God, the Righteous, brook On my sacrifice to look; In whose sight no gift has worth Save a Christ-like life on earth.

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