Loving the Rose's Thorns

MY PEACE AND MY JOY.


How many souls on earth there are,

Who vainly seek for peace and rest!

With me, tis otherwise by far;

Joy dwells forever in my breast.

No fading blossom is this flower,

Of its decay no fear have I;

Like fragrant rose in springtime's bower

So fair it is, yet shall not die.


Well nigh too great my gladness is,

All things I wish are mine to-day.

How can I help but show my bliss,

Who am so light at heart, so gay?

My joy I find in pain and loss,

I love the thorns that guard the rose;

With joy I kiss each heavy cross,

And smile with every tear that flows.


When clouds the sunny skies o'ercast,

And weary grows my heart the while,

My joy it is that joy is past,

And gone my Lord's consoling smile.

My peace is hid in Jesus' breast, --

May His sweet will alone be done!

What fear can mar my perfect rest,

Who love the shadow as the sun?


My peace,'tis like a child to be,

That doth not plan, nor understand;

So, when I fall, Christ raiseth me,

And leads me gently by the hand.

My childish love I manifest,

And for His grace alone implore;

Then, if He hide, my love to test,

I only love Him all the more.


My peace, it is to hide my tears,

Nor ever show my bitter pain.

What joy to suffer through the years;

To veil with flowers each galling chain!

To suffer, yet make no complaint,

Since this, my Jesus, pleases Thee!

Could any trial make me faint?

'Tis Thy sweet cross is laid on me.


My peace,-- it is with God to plead,

In prayers and tears, by day and night;

For many souls to intercede,

And say to Him, my heart's Delight:

"O Little Brother, Heavenly King!

For Thee the cross I gladly bear.

My only joy is suffering,

Since thus Thy earthly lot I share."


I long would live an exile here,

If that be Thy dear will for me;

Or soon would flee from exile drear,

If thou shouldst call me unto Thee.

Since Love's divine, celestial breath

Is all I need, my heart to bless,

What matters life, what matters death?

Love is my peace, my happiness!

January 21, 1897

--from Poems of Sr. Therese by Therese of Lisieux

..

Longing for Love

THE ETERNAL CANTICLE SUNG IN BANISHMENT

Exiled afar from heaven, I still, dear Lord, can sing,

I, Thy betrothed, can sing the eternal hymn of love;

For, spite of exile comes to me, on dove-like wing,

Thy Holy Spirit's fire of rapture from above.


Beauty supreme! my Love Thou art;

Thyself Thou givest all to me.

Oh, take my heart, my yearning heart, --

Make of my life one act of love to Thee!


Canst Thou my worthlessness efface?

In heart like mine canst make Thy home?

Yes, love wins love, -- O wondrous grace!

I love Thee, love Thee! Jesu, come I


Love that enkindleth me,

Pierce and inflame me;

Come, for I cry to Thee!

Come and be mine!

Thy love it urgeth me;

Fain would I ever be

Sunken and lost in Thee,

Furnace divine!

All pain borne for Thee

Changes to joy for me,

When my love flies to Thee,

Winged like the dove.

Heavenly Completeness,

Infinite Sweetness,

My soul possesseth Thee

Here, as above.

Heavenly Completeness,

Infinite sweetness,

Naught else art Thou but Love!

--from Poems of Sr. Therese by Therese of Lisieux

..