The Good Charity of Our Faith

Jesus walked upon the water;
Not a drop of sweating fear
Touched the brow of His pale temple
As the waves crashed round Him there.
Would you walk upon the water,
So entranced at that great sight
Of the Savior midst the sunder
Standing, mindless of the plight?

Jesus touched the naked leper,
His bare hands as yet unstained;
Yet withheld He not His power
From the wretch, despite the shame.
Would you touch the oozing boils,
Bear the stench, the sight, the pain,
If you only could be worthy
Of the Great Physician's name?

Harken, then, your mind to wonder,
If it is His cross you claim,
Are you not to love your neighbor
As your Savior showed you plain?
If your faith, like mine, oft wanders
From the path before us straight,
It may be we have not practiced
The good charity of our faith.