Yet one instruction more is there that we
May gain, o'erpondering this Mystery.
He knows our wants, that we His children be;
That we are helpless, steeped in misery,
And into danger driven unconsciously.
Before His very Eyes are we: yet He
No notice seems to take, while we
All in the dark go on regardlessly,
While prayer alone can aid obtain; can be
The unfailing ladder to His Clemency.
Millions on millions moving helplessly
Dwell in the circle of humanity;
And yet for all, must Power Almighty be
Approached by human elements, ere we
May come in touch with His Divinity.
Lo, when upon the Galilean Sea
His toiling creatures wrought in vain, while He
Upon the pillow slept, how instantly
Their cry for aid was answered: yet would He
One act of faith have answered equally.
Our wants are Heaven-made ladders, whereby we
By faith and unremitting prayer may be
By Him accepted. Left alone, ah see,
How soon His loving Care forgot may be,
And lost the sense of our infirmity.
Yet labour must we as we may, that He
Our labour's toil may bless; the while should we
Pray instantly, since labour vain would be
Without Almighty Aid. Ah, verily,
A miracle of Love Divine are we.
But, who shall intercede for those who be
Unconscious of their woe-wrought destiny?
Who may the malice of the Enemy
For such avert? and Christ's Benignity
Secure? Mother of Jesus, thou art she.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote