THE POETRY TREE

Song of the Soul

That Rejoices in Knowing God

Through Faith

(Photo: R. Massaro)

A Poem by St. John of the Cross

That eternal spring is hidden,
for I know well where it has its rise,
although it is night.

I do not know its origin, nor has it one, but I know
that every origin has come from it,

although it is night.



Photo: R.Massaro



I know that nothing else is so beautiful, and that the heavens and the earth drink there,
although it is night.

I know well that it is bottomless
and no one is able to cross it,
although it is night.

Its clarity is never darkened, and I know
that every light has come from it,
although it is night.

I know that its streams are  so brimming they water
the lands of hell, the heavens, and earth,
although it is night.

I know well the stream that flows from this spring
is mighty in compass and power,

although it is night.

Photo: R.Massaro



I know the stream proceeding from these two, that neither of them in fact precedes it,

although it is night.

This eternal spring is hidden in this living bread for our life's sake,
although it is night.

It is here calling out to creatures; and they satisfy their thirst, although in darkness,
because it is night.

This living spring that I long for,
I see in this bread of life,
although it is night.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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The Poetry Tree

(Photo: R. Massaro)

CHRIST HAS NO BODY

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

no hands but yours,

no feet but yours,

Yours are the eyes through which is to look out

Christ's compassion to the world;

Yours are the feet with which he is to go about

doing good;

Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.

 A poem by St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)

This beautiful poem by St. Teresa is a great encouragement to us, that whatever we do to our neighbor we do in the name of Christ. It is also a way to look at the "Little Way" of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.  Maybe we can't do much or do great things, but we can offer a smile, a touch, a kind word, all in the name of Christ.  We are his witnesses in the world. Let us remember to use our bodies for evangelization, let us be his missionaries of mercy by using our very physical being to show gentleness and compassion to all those we meet.

Let us pray for each other!

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds
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