CLARUM
DECUS JEJUNII: The Glory of these Forty Days
In
Quadragesima ad vesperam ‘Audi benigne conditor’, ad nocturnas ‘Clarum decus
ieiuni’, ad matutinis ‘Jesu quadragenariae’,
per quattuor ebdomadas continue. --Ælfric's Letter to the Monks of Eynsham
Winchester, Durham, Sarum,
York, etc.
The hymn is notable in
that it sees fasting not as something gloomy but as bright and it gives us many
examples of those figures who benefited from abstinence.
1.
Clarum decus jejunii
Monstratur
orbi coelitus,
Quod
Christus Auctor omnium
Cibis
dicavit abstinens.
2.
Hoc Moyses carus Deo
Legisque
lator factus est,
Hoc
Helyam per aera
Curru
levavit igneo.
3.
Hinc Daniel mysteria
Victor
leonum viderat,
Per
hoc amicus intimus
Sponsi Johannes claruit.
4. Hec nos sequi dona, Deus,
Exempla
parcimonise,
Tu
robur auge mentium
Dans
spiritale gaudium.
The
bright glory of fasting is shown the world from heaven, which Christ, the
nourisher of the world, when he fasted from food, commanded. By this Moses,
dear to God, was made the giver of the law; by this Elijah was raised to the
sky in a fiery chariot. By this Daniel, victorious over the lion, beheld
mysteries; through this John, the intimate friend of Christ, glowed bright. Grant us to follow these
examples of fasting, O God. Increase the strength of mind and so give spiritual
joy.
Maurice
F. Bell
The
glory of these forty days
We
celebrate with songs of praise;
For
Christ, by Whom all things were made,
Himself
has fasted and has prayed.
Alone
and fasting Moses saw
The
loving God Who gave the law;
And
to Elijah, fasting, came
The
steeds and chariots of flame.
So
Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered
from the lions’ might;
And
John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The
herald of Messiah’s Name.
Then
grant us, Lord, like them to be
Full
oft in fast and prayer with Thee;
Our
spirits strengthen with Thy grace,
And
give us joy to see Thy face.
O
Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
To
thee be every prayer addressed,
Who
art in threefold Name adored,
From
age to age, the only Lord.
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