-- Light of the World --

by John Herlihy

In this time of darkness,

You are my only light.

When I feel totally weak,

You are my only strength.

If I am completely alone,

You are still by my side.

When I feel true remorse,

You offer true forgiveness.

When I do not anything know,

I know in You I will come to know.

When I have done any wrong,

I hear in the distance a hopeful song.*

When I fall into depths of despair,

My only true recourse, prayer.

When I feel that glimmer of hope,

You throw down the divine rope.

Uncertainties will come and go,

One true certainty there to know.

Fears, yes, in this life they abound,

Fears chased by the devil and its hound.

We feel all the evil ready to attack,

What of the good ready to come back.

With my hands uplifted, I do implore,

The one true Reality that I do adore.

Time endless but life has its limits,

Yet present moments have no limit.

Blessed the senses and what they tell,

We see, hear, taste, touch, and smell.

The inner senses reveal the true tale,

Unveiling mysteries hearts to assail.

We exist in time, that much we know,

The soul lives on, we come to know.

Lord said: Be not afraid, I am your shield,

I will treat you as gently as lilies in the field.

Look to the heavens and count every star,

Forget not, I am with you wherever you are.

Heard from the cave of hearts; Te Deum,

In submission, in praise, and in gratitude.

My God, our God, and every man’s God,

With Him alone, we will live in certitude.

- - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Sunday 3 November 2024