The Poetry and Photography of Rose Bernhardt, OSF
Flowing Grace
O God of the Universe,
You are love beyond telling.
You are within me,
You are without me,
You extend far beyond my reach
And far beyond my sight,
Yet, you are within my reach
And within my sight.
By revealing yourself to me
Through others,
Through nature,
Through the universe,
I stand in awe contemplating the vastness
And the connectedness with all of creation.
And how you care for all you have made,
The only response is to love and care
For others,
For creation,
With reverence and compassion.
You call me to move beyond my human vision,
Beyond my human limitations.
You invite me to stretch,
That I might reach the heights and depths
Of wisdom and of love.
My companion on the journey--
You re-create me.
You energize me,
You gently enfold and guide me along
To enjoy wholeness and fullness of life.
Amen, Alleluia!
Gifts
Bright Wonder
Love Divine
The Enchantment of
Peoples and Nations.
You fill to overflowing -
The emptiness within -
A transforming joy.
In gratitude -
I in turn to others give
That which so freely was
given me.
How splendidly
The bow spans
The horizon-
Dressed in an array
Of muted colors.
My heart rejoices
At its presence-
The manifestation
Of calm
And peace.
