My hands are useless now, clamped to this wood.
Would you who love me lend me your hands to continue my offices of mercy to my brothers and sisters? Making them to be gentle, soothing hands as were mine?
Will you lend me your feet to visit the sick, the aged, the lonely, the dying?
Will you lend me your tongue to cheer the down-hearted, to comfort the desolate and bereaved? To breathe my peace where there is discord?
Will you lend me your heart to carry my love to all whom you meet?
Will you lend me all the things you find hard to bear, so that with them, I may solace the members of my Body more heavily burdened than you are?
(Slightly adapted.)
John Predmore, S.J., is a USA East Province Jesuit and was the pastor of Jordan's English language parish. He teaches art and directs BC High's adult spiritual formation programs. Formerly a retreat director in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ignatian Spirituality is given through guided meditations, weekend-, 8-day, and 30-day Retreats based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatian Spirituality serves the contemporary world as people strive to develop a friendship with God.
Daily Email
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Deeply moving - so poignant and powerful. I will use this in my presentation on Stewardship for RCIA. Jesus' plea for us to continue his work. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you. I enjoyed it. It is almost like St. Teresa's prayer, yet with the historical Jesus rather than the Christ.
Delete