“ON THE ALTAR” (a poem)

“ON THE ALTAR”

(by Samuel Farrugia)

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,

which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,

so that you may discern what is the will of God—

what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 12.1-2

 You laid yourself down

On the cross

They drove in the nails

And let You die

But You were raised

To be evermore alive

I lay me down

on the altar

Drive in the nails

And let me die

Then raise me up

To new life

Jesus, today I choose

To follow You to the altar

To die with You

To be raised with You

To be one with You

On the altar

So take my life

And give me Yours

I receive your life

On the altar

Re-create me anew in your image

Let me spend my life

On the altar

Jesus, I give myself to You

I lay me down

On the altar

Take all of me,

Make me one with You

Live your life through me

On the altar

So take my hands and make them yours

Serve through me

On the altar

And take my heart and make it yours

Love through me

On the altar

Take my lips and make them yours

Speak through me

On the altar

Take my feet and make them yours

Go through me

On the altar

Destroy what is me

Create what is You

Take away the old

Make everything new

Jesus, I come to you

So that once again

I can lay me down

On the altar

As my flesh is consumed

May the smoke become perfume

So that all who see

May sense You in me

As I lay me down

On the altar