The Host of My Heart, Mind, and Soul

My heart once walked where reason guarded light,
And weighed each truth within its careful sight;
Yet something stirred beyond the mind’s control,
A whispered pull that rose within my soul.
For when the priest repeats what Christ declared,
A Presence moves where once my doubts were spared;
My heart breaks open as His graces pour,
And trembling, I adore my Lord once more.

Spoken “This is My Body,” all falls still,
The God of stars draws near by sovereign will;
His ancient promise presses on my sight,
And heaven bends to meet me through the night.
My mind, well-trained to measure, prove, and test,
Now bows before the mystery confessed;
For if He speaks, this Bread is truly He,
Then my soul bows down to divinity.

I searched the Fathers’ witness, old and wise,
To test the flame that in my heart would rise;
Their ancient voices brought the truth to view,
A faith upheld and proven ever true.
Through councils stood a line the years had kept,
A thread unbroken where no darkness crept;
My reason knelt where revelation shone,
And heart and mind embraced the truth made known.

If every voice claims that it speaks His word,
And none can say which teaching should be heard,
Then faith becomes division’s endless maze,
A thousand mirrors casting broken rays.
But Christ gave Peter keys of guiding grace,
A Shepherd’s charge no time or doubt could chase;
My mind found peace in what His words professed,
A rock secure where weary hearts can rest.

I saw the East in incense, chant, and flame,
Solemn beauty honors His Holy Name;
Yet found that splendor living in the West,
Where rites converge and ancient truths are blessed.
In Rome they meet, those rivers strong and deep,
One Church preserved in promises to keep;
My longing for the sacred found its home,
Where East and West unify there in Rome.

And now before the Host I lose my speech,
As heaven bends and lays its grace within reach;
My intellect grows silent in His light,
Its sharpness softened by His gentle might.
He stands before me, God made low yet strong,
The quiet answer to my hope held long;
My soul cries out with love it can’t restrain,
For here I meet the Lamb once slain again.

So if you see the tears I cannot hide,
Know awe, not fear, is stirring them inside;
They fall because the veil is drawn away,
And Christ steps forth in resurrected sway.
My heart first learned the Cross and felt its fire,
My mind confirmed the truth of deep desire;
My soul rejoices, healed within made whole,
For Christ the Host has claimed my heart and soul.