Suscipe

 

 

I thought giving all I had to God

Meant a pageant of renunciation.

Unbuckling my jewelled sword and scabbard

Casting down my crowns

Stripping all that clothes me.

 

I thought accepting grace as enough

Meant shivering before the altar

Trying to muster up feelings of gratitude

For the shroud I received in return.

 

I wanted to bargain for what I could keep.

I resented feeling guilty

When I couldn’t feel grateful enough for long.

 

I want to always see this from God’s eyes.

Helping me out of sweaty, tear-stained rags

Receiving them gently

Respecting them for what they’ve seen me through.

 

Cloaking me in a wedding-garment

Handing me a priceless chalice

And, in a golden casket, the key to his treasure-store.

 

 *'Suscipe' is Latin for 'receive', and is the title of an Ignatian prayer which retreatants are encouraged to make their own at the end of the Spiritual Exercises.