Here's a poem I wrote back in July of 1985, right before making my first vows in the monastery. The idea of vows for a monk has been compared to the vows exchanged between spouses on their wedding day. But that comparison is really weak, for does the Church allow us to make temporary vows to our spouse? No. So, no matter what a consecrated religious gives up in their first vow, there's always the nagging question in the back of their mind: "I can quit at the expiration of my vows." Or at least there was in my mind. And you know by now that I never made permanent profession.
Perhaps this is at the root of why religious vows are not considered an 8th Sacrament, as some theologians have proposed. As good and meritorious vows are, they are not, in their nature (per se) necessary to living the Christian life. Permanence, on the other hand, is essential to the married covenant.
Enough talk, on to the poetry. I'm not entirely happy with the first line. If I ever find the notebook that I wrote it in way back when, I'll update it later. This is what I remember.
What to Give
Be with me Christ, 'tis now I need you most,
when all the gifts and cares of life do call.
Give me the grace to never leave your post,
but generous, to serve and give to all.
But what to give, save that for which they ask?
And how to serve, save in the way they need?
I bow my head, my hands go to the task,
And give to God the glory of the deed.
Now, what to you, how shall I now repay
this gift, your love which urges me to serve?
I'll give you back the love which every day
You give to me, although I don't deserve.
And, yes, "which" in line 10 introduces a nonrestrictive clause, for all my grammarnazi friends. Do I need a comma after "love"?
Peace!
Update: I remembered the first line, and fixed it and a couple other mistakes. This is great being able to fix something after it's been published!
