The Other is no Other
to a Christ-touched heart.
The Other is
that rich and rare land
of God’s own wonderment.
The Stranger/Other is His Work of Art,
though I may only see the back of it.
Take time, give time
-an offering of time-spent-with
a ‘contemplation’ –
given to the other
as to God.
Look close, look hard, to see
the shades and lights,
the changing textures of this only heart,
the hues of past experiences that show
upon this surface that I see.
I offer time as gift, to stay awhile
and see
behind the lines
or words,
the silent depthed places
of this face.
Spend time in awe and quiet expectation
of surprises
when I reverence this one with me.
I will visit again or for the first time
the soul that slowly reveals its face to me,
visit again this truth with awe
– ‘re-vere’ it:
I will wait in quiet thankfulness before this Other,
this Not-Other
who is here.
(Continuing the reflection, on hearing the address of new Provincial, Fr. Con Casey C.Ss.R., at Assembly of Irish Redemptorists)
The Other is no Other
