My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord

by being on the verge of prayer,
by being Christ for others,
by causing others to leap for joy,

by helping others to pray,
by suffering for others,
by ministering to others,
by sacrificing for others,

by journeying with others,
by worrying with others,
by being ear for others,
by being empty for others,
by being tears for other,

by giving and receiving Love,
by revealing Truth in honesty,
by confessing sins in adoration,
by breaking the word,
by loving bride-church,
by sympathy expressed.

The Lord loves me for my own sake,
not because I succeed,
not because of my lineage,
but because I am loveable.

He has done great things for me
simply because he loves me
and even at my worst.
I do not have to bargain for that
or earn it, or whine for it.
It is a gift, revealed, bestowed.

The Lord has helped me
love beauty and truth and revelation.

The Lord creates me anew, every day
by forgiveness,
by sending me the Spirit
that brings breath, vision, embrace.

- Fr. Gerald Keefe