Suffering With Joy

The Kiss of Christ

June 2, 2010

My dad passed away last September.  When mom passed away in March one of dad’s files was given to me to sort through.  In it I found this poem he must have discovered on the internet because it was printed from his printer.  According to the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery at In the Shadows of His Wings it was written by a Trappist monk. The poem fits perfectly with the purpose of this site and is an indication of the rich interior life my dad enjoyed as he grew older and closer to death.  I appreciate his example and thank God for having given me such a good parent.

St. Dominic Adoring the Crucifixion, 1440s, Fra Angelico (b. ca. 1400, Vicchio nell Mugello, d. 1455, Roma), Fresco, Convento di San Marco, Florence

The Kiss of Christ

Lo, there He hangs, ashened figure -- pinioned to the wood. 

God grant that I might love him -- even as I should.

I draw a little closer -- to touch the face divine.

And then He leans to whisper -- "Oh foolish child of mine.

If now I should embrace you -- my hands would stain you red.

And if I leaned to kiss you -- the thorns would pierce your head."

'Twas then I learned in meekness -- that love demands a price.

'Twas then I knew that suffering -- is but the kiss of Christ.

Tags: suffering

1 Comment to The Kiss of Christ

1. 

   This is beautiful.
   To lose 2 parents in one year must be very hard especially when you have physical illness, also. That you can use these things to get closer to God is a testimony to your love for Him. God bless you, Barb.
Mary Nicewarner on June 3rd, 2010