Thyself hast loved me

"My God, I love Thee; Not because I hope for heaven thereby, nor yet because who loved thee not, must dies eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me upon the cross embrace; Thou, O my Jesus, for me Thou didst bear the nails, the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace;

Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love Thee well? Not for the hope of winning heaven, or escaping hell; not with hope of gaining aught, not seeking a reward;

But as Thyself hast loved me, O everloving Lord! Even so I love Thee, and will love, and in Thy praise will sing; solely because Thou art my God, and my eternal King."

- Francis Xavier

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