Written on the Occasion of Being Asked to Sponsor a Young Man for Confirmation

Our openness to the Divine

And sanctifying grace

Is sharing in the sweetest wine

poured out in every place.

Our soul seems like the barren earth

That laps up every drop

Of nourishment from heaven sent

Don't ever let it stop.

But even though the Perfect Gift

Is giv'n every day

We do traverse a deep, dark rift

That seems to block the way.

A willing heart will build a bridge

Across the empty span

Though there's no wall, there is no ridge

That stops God's holy Plan.

Except a heart that is still closed

To His most gracious rain

Hearts are bitter that were hosed  

By wounds from human pain.

The heart that's wounded is so dear

To Our Most Gracious Lord

He longs to draw us ever near

But sometimes we sit bored.

And though we sit or even sleep

While others labor hard

His Mercy is so very deep

Like "aromatic nard".

When you're Annointed, soon, dear boy

Open your heart to God

He will not treat you like a toy,

But waits for you to nod.

Your head will show Him of your love

Your willingness to serve

Your open heart will rise above

The ridge if you have nerve.

I give you now my hand to hold

So open wide your heart

That as you age and become old

From Him you will not part.