If we could see grace, what would it be,
Exactly what, would we then see?
Rose petals making slow descent,
That came and left a sweet rose scent?
What would we see, if grace could be seen with human eyes?
With wings to us, would grace fly?

Would grace fall from heaven, like a shooting star,
That found its way, from afar,
To rest upon us, where we are?
What would we see, if grace could be seen with human eyes?
Like snow, would it fall white and pure and softly from the sky?

An infant new, baptized for Thee.
If we could see grace, what would we see?
A dove come upon the baptized babe,
In a solemn, holy nave?
Would we see grace infuse the infant soul?
Would we see the Holy Spirit’s gifts, upon the tiny babe extolled,
By angels, as white wings softly fluttered,
As holy prayers by surrounding saints, were prayed and uttered?

If we could see grace, of what would grace be made
When for a soul, prayers were prayed?
Would grace like a spark penetrate the hardened heart?
Or does grace implant itself as if inert, only later to begin the growing part?

Or would we see grace with heaven’s beaming light infuse the prayed-for soul
that once through sin had been made as black as coal?
Or would grace look more like the tiny seed,
Which bathed in prayer and cleared of sinful weeds,
over time grew into a strong and mighty tree;
A tree that offered its own holy shade
to those who could not yet see
the deep yearning in their hearts
was but a deep yearning for truth and Thee?

Would we see grace bide its time?
Hover above with what seemed to us
no reason and no rhyme?
As in a dry dessert we persevered feeling all alone,
As in our soul, we felt nothing but an ache to be at rest and in our final home.
Would grace then break forth from life’s most darkened clouds,
With thunder cracking bold and loud?
Does grace like sweet and refreshing drops of rain,
quench parched lips and provide relief from empty pain?

If we could see grace, what would we see,
When the repentant soul confessed Sacramentally?
Would grace trumpet in triumphant voice?
Would we see heaven’s holy saints and angels gather to rejoice?
Would grace float like glitter sprinkled from the sky,
Shining gold to come and glisten on bloodied wounds, shattered hearts and heavy sighs?

If we could see grace, what would we see?
Would we see grace as a wrapped gift from Thee?
Would it be encased in shining colors bright,
With a bow of glory, tied by angels, tied just right?
As prayers like incense from the earth ascends,
Does grace reverse, to us descend?

If we could see grace, what would we see,
When the Sacred Host brought to our humanity,
not just Your Divinity,
But Your body, soul and blood.
Would we see grace
pour in our souls like a flood?
What would we see when we by grace receive,
The source and summit of our life?
Would we see angels deliver mighty armor that we might
Battle with courage every evil, every strife?

Would grace come from heaven to rest upon us near,
That we not despair, but in faith persevere?
If only we would turn towards Him, and give Him but a chance,
If only we but send Him, from our hurting hearts, a glance.

Would grace then strengthen us, give to us Your sight?
Would we see grace arrive, just on time, to our delight?
Would grace arrive in knowledge of the Father’s perfect love?
Or could grace greet us as Your pierced heart from above?

Could grace arrive in agony? Could grace arrive as loss?
Could grace be in the resurrection, that comes only through the painful cross?

If we could see grace, what would grace allow,
As man and wife took solemn wedding vows?
Would we see saints all gathered round?
Would grace as a beam of light strike their heads—
to bless them in their life ahead?

If we could see grace upon the dying man, what would grace extol?
As that man battled Satan who so longed to steal his soul?
Blessed by holy oil, as with greater fervor death doth knock,
Last rights bestowed, before the final striking of the clock.
Would we see angels swooping down, as bells from heaven chimed?
Would we see the dying soul, by grace and angels,
protected and for heaven being primed?

If we could see grace, how much more thankful we would be,
For all the gifts, given us by Thee. For grace flows down.
So oft this truth we lack. How quick we claim the credit,
with a pumped-up, prideful pat upon the back.

If we could see grace, how much easier it would be to believe,
That Thou art LORD, and we just mere creatures made by Thee.
If we could see grace, would it not be easier to bow
Before our Maker and our Savior Thou?

But in Thy wisdom, grace is kept beyond our sight.
That we might look for faith, for faith—engage the fight,
That we might knock upon Thy holy door,
That we might seek Thee evermore.
That Thy love, in our hearts might dwell and shine.
That we might with Thee, one day in heaven dine.

May we have grace to open hearts and souls this day.
To all the grace, Thou wills to send our way,
By Thy grace, may we become what You are calling us to be.
By Thy grace, may we one day dwell with Thee for all eternity.

Copyright 2019 Mary Sullivan