All are invited to gather in the St. Paul Rectory following the 9:00am Mass on Fridays in Lent for a peaceful hour of reflection and prayer over sacred poetry with Sister Mary Sweeney, SC. No prior registration required! For those unable to attend in person, selected poems will be shared each week here on the website and in the bulletin.
On the first Friday in Lent, this poem by George Herbert – and its theme of God’s love and forgiveness – was a focus of discussion and prayer.
Love (III)
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked anything.A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat.
So I did sit and eat.
…George Herbert (1593-1633)
