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Before a Picture of Christ 

Fra Angelico Crucifixion 450

Before a Picture of Christ

by Blessed Titus Brandsma

February 12-13, 1942

Original Dutch

O, Jezus, als ik U aanschouw

Dan leeft weer dat ik van U hou

En dat ook Uw hart mij bemint

Nog wel als Uw bijzondren vriend.

Al vraagt dat mij meer lijdensmoed

Och, alle lijden is mij goed

Omdat ik daardoor U gelijk

En dit de weg is naar Uw Rijk

Ik ben gelukkig in mijn leed

Omdat ik het geen leed meer weet,

Maar 't alleruitverkorenst lot

Dat mij vereent met U, o God.

0 laat mij hier maar stil alleen

Het kil en koud zijn om mij heen

En laat geen mensen bij mij toe

't Alleen zijn word ik hier niet moe.

Want Gij. O Jezus, zijt bij mij

Ik was U nimmer zo nabij.

Blijf bij mij, bij mij, Jezus zoet,

Uw bijzijn maakt mij alles goed.

English Translation By Gervase Toelle, O. Carm.

A new awareness of Thy love

encompasses my heart:

Sweet Jesus, I in Thee and Thou

In me shall never part.

No grief shall fall my way but I

Shall see thy grief-filled eyes;

The lonely way that Thou once walked

Has made me sorrow-wise.

All trouble is a white-lit joy,

That lights my darkest day;

Thy love has turned to brightest light.

This night-like way.

If I have Thee alone,

The hours will bless

With still, cold hands of love

My utter loneliness.

Stay with me, Jesus, only stay;

I shall not fear

If, reaching out my hand,

I feel thee near.

English Translation By Joachim Smet, O. Carm.

 Dear Lord, when look on you

My love for you starts us anew:

And tells me that your heart love me

And you my special friend would be.

More courage I will need for sure,

But any pain I will endure,

Because it makes me like to you

And leads unto your kingdom too.

In sorrow do I find my bliss,

For sorrow now no more is this:

Rather the path that must be trod,

That makes me one with you, my God.

Oh, leave me here along and still,

And all around the cold and chill,

To enter here I will have none;

I weary not when I’m alone.

For, Jesus you are at my side;

Never so close did we abide.

Stay with me, Jesus my delight,

Your presence near make all things right.

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