62 A SONG OF CHRIST’S GOODNESS

Refrain: Gather your little ones to you, O God,*
as a hen gathers her brood to protect them.
1 Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you;*
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
2 Often you weep over our sins and our pride,*
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
3 You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds,*
in sickness you nurse us
   and with pure milk you feed us.
4 Jesus, by your dying,
   we are born to new life;*
by your anguish and labour
   we come forth in joy.
5 Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;*
through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.
6 Your warmth gives life to the dead,*
your touch makes sinners righteous.
7 Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us;*
in your love and tenderness, remake us.
8 In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness,*
for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.
Glory . . . Anselm of Canterbury/Trans: 31
Gather your little ones to you, O God,*
as a hen gathers her brood to protect them.