This Is My Friend (A Few Words for Wednesday)

 

This Is My Friend (from an old manuscript)

Let me tell you how I made His acquaintance.
I had heard much of Him, but took no heed.
He sent daily gifts and presents, but I never thanked Him.
He often seemed to want my friendship, but I remained
cold.

I was homeless, and wretched, and starving and in peril every hour;
and He offered me shelter and comfort and food and safety;
but I was ungrateful still.
At last He crossed my path and with tears in His eyes
He besought me saying, Come and abide with me.

Let me tell you how he treats me now.
He supplies all my wants.
He gives me more than I dare ask.
He anticipates my every need.
He begs me to ask for more.
He never reminds me of my past ingratitude.
He never rebukes me for my past follies.

Let me tell you further what I think of Him.
He is as good as He is great.
His love is as ardent as it is true.

He is as lavish of His promises as He is faithful in keeping them.
He is as jealous of my love as He is deserving of it.
I am in all things His debtor, but He bids me call Him
Friend.

This is how Robert Hugh Benson’s The Friendship of Christ begins. You can find it on the YIMCatholic Bookshelf.