Gerard Manley Hopkins on Easter

 

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

Gerard Manley Hopkins on Easter

March 30, 2016

The few days after Easter are recovery time for clergy, liturgical servers, altar guilds, and Church musicians. We put a lot into the Three Day Liturgy, and we often are exhausted come Easter afternoon.  But it is worth it.  Thank you to all who contributed time, talent, and gifts to make Holy Week work.  Here is a wonderful poem on the subject by Roman Catholic priest Gerard Manley Hopkins: 

Easter

Break the box and shed the nard;

Stop not now to count the cost;

Hither bring the pearl, opal, sard;

Reck not what the poor have lost;

Upon Christ throw it all away;

Know ye, this is Easter Day.

Build His church and deck his shrine,

Empty though it be on earth;

Ye have kept your choicest wine—

Let it flow for heavenly mirth;

Pluck the harp and breathe the horn:

Know ye not ‘tis Easter morn?

Gather gladness from the skies;

Take a lesson from the ground;

Flowers do ope their heavenward eyes

And a Spring-time joy have found;

Earth throws Winter's robes away,

Decks herself for Easter Day.

Beauty now for ashes wear,

Perfumes for the garb of woe,

Chaplets for disheveled hair;

Dances for sad footsteps slow;

Open wide your hearts that they

Let in joy this Easter Day. 

Seek God’s House in happy throng;

Crowded let His table be;

Mingle praises, prayer, and song,

Singing to the Trinity. 

Henceforth let your souls always

Make each morn an Easter Day. 

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Tony+