June 15: Feast of the Sacred Heart

Beggar Eyes

It may have been bad art
this picture of the Sacred Heart.

But I looked into the Beggar's
eyes and saw the wounded empty hand.

I know I did not wish to see
His fleshy Heart held out to me
because I could not love as He.
(I know it was the artist's way
God's altruistic love to show.)

But it was those impelling eyes
and that wounded empty hand
that called my all from me.

Sometimes I tried not to look
wished that I was off the hook
For those eyes, they followed me,

the empty hand that asked for more
I was to find had more in store
than I had any notion of.

And now in later years I see
how profoundly this icon called to me
to see in every beggar's eyes
the asking eyes of God for love.
And in the ever empty hand
a love I cannot comprehend.