I have become foolish,
– you forced me.
for I ought to have been commended by you.
For I am not inferior
compared to those ‘super-apostles’
even if I am nothing.
The signs of an apostle
have been produced
among you
with all endurance
signs
and wonders
and powerful deeds.
For how were you treated worse
than the other churches
except that I alone did not burden you?
Forgive me this injustice!
O Lord, in whom is our hope,
remove far from us, we pray thee,
empty hopes and presumptuous confidence.
Make our hearts so right with thy most holy and loving heart,
that hoping in thee we may do good;
until that day when faith and hope
shall be abolished by sight and possession,
and love shall be all in all.
Christina Rossetti (1830-94)