Radiant

Radiant

O! hallowed Light, and radiant,

in You no darkness found,

what hope upholds Your penitent,

whom Your great wings surround!

In Your embrace no arrogant,

no scoffer, rude his sound,

finds portion. Yet Your testament

in us sees light abound.

Perdition has enveloped some

(such vessels thrown to break);

while thrones and powers argue from

the foot of their mistake.

Vain vie they with imperium:

Your breath sets them a-quake!

The darkness has not overcome,

will never light o'ertake.

Those called to Christ from ages old

are sealed unto Your Name

as lambs of one bespeckled fold,

nor lone, nor lost, nor lame.

Burns, bright against the bitter cold

of Death, Your altar-flame.

The darkness has not taken hold,

it has no worthy claim.

We flock beneath the stainèd rood

and, by indwelling Light,

see purchased for us every good,

inherit princely right.

What burning myst'ry that we should

in grace know Your delight!

The darkness has not understood,

abjured to outer night.

In radiance at temple-throne

Your saints, arrayed, will stand,

grand pillars hewn of marble-stone

engraved by Your right hand

with God's, the City's, and Your own

new Name - our living brand

in halls where night is never known;

and we shall understand!

~

AMDG / 5.5.14

*this poem revolves around the possible translations of the word " katalambano" in John 1:5, which may be rendered "overtaken," "comprehended," "laid hold of," "overcome," etc. . .