St. Theresa's Prayer

A few days before I left Sparkill, I found myself in our community room.  This had become my place of refuge each evening, after “good nights” had been spoken, and God was calling me to reflect on the day’s happenings.  The white lights from the Christmas tree reflected onto the floor, as I thought of my own reflection and the reflection of others with whom I received the gift of getting to know better; myself included.

In the quiet of the evening, I thought of the ways I tried to be Christ for my community, and how they in turn were Christ for me.  I thought of the humility that was shown to me when our infirmed sisters entrusted me to provide personal care, or simply to reposition them if they were uncomfortable.  Many of our sisters shared with me a trust in their God with whom they had grown to love more intimately now than when they began their own formation.  I remember the words of encouragement offered to me to be open to trust the God with whom I am beginning to know, who wants to deepen our relationship, and who understands my struggles.

During this particular night, the words to a song I had not heard in years came back to me. 

“Christ has no body now but yours
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
with compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good.
Yours are the hands,
with which He blesses all the world

Yours are the hands,
yours are the feet,
yours are the eyes,
You are His body

Christ has no body now but yours
no hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
with compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth
but yours.”

                                    John Michael Talbot

As I begin this next semester of my journey as a Dominican Novice, may I be more open to the God who is re-creating me.  May I be God’s hands as I contribute even more to my ministry and my community life.  May my eyes see the light I am invited to chase, to embrace and to make brighter.  And may my feet walk more firmly through the transitions of the day that lies ahead.

-Chris