Based on a quote from Tertullian “The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church”.
A seed by itself
Cannot bring forth
Life in abundance
Fulfilment and worth.
Only in death
Self-sacrifice
Can true life come forth
Of value and wealth.
Red rivers that flow
From seeds that are blessed
By God’s gift of grace
In Heaven take rest
For they were faithful
In suffering and pain
Accepting their calling
Their loss is their gain.
O Jesus our Saviour
Your love casts out fear
Your lifeblood was drained
By scourge, cross and spear.
You draw us to you
Enthroned on the tree
Bearing our sins
That we might be free.
Now others have walked
Sweet martyrdom’s road
Unflinching in walking
And bearing the load.
New shoots from the ground
Spring up with the dew
Of blest morning’s sunrise
The church to renew.
May all of us bear
His burden so light
In joyful obedience
In lives burning bright.
Until at the last
Like those gone before
We enter His rest
Through Heaven’s open door.
Dominus-Iesus-est 