I came across a poem recently during a quiet time with the Lord that stirred me.  Today, I would like to just share that here.  Perhaps it will be a nice devotional moment for you in your day.  It comes from a man named David J. Hassel.  Back in the day he was a philosophy professor at Loyola here in Chicago.  As always, I welcome your comments and reflections.

The Inmost Fear

Why do I fear?

God is here,

deep within—

covering nakedness,

mothering boldness,

sustaining exuberance,

restraining insolence,

siring insight,

firing lovelight,

fulfilling hollowness,

instilling hallowedness

of lung, limb, and life

with tongued fire and crossed strife—

through Christ’s indwelling,

outwelling, sorrow-quelling,

joy-swelling victory—

warm love straining

to be heard, to be loved,

yet quiet as a craning ear in silent expectation,

as simple and lonely as a man’s sigh,

as rich and crowded as God’s sea

in which I swim to eternity

alone in a crowded company—

I, a mere glint of God’s light,

a mere hint of his might,

yet having the mint of his Son on my heart:

a cross sweeping to God’s glorying

and a love flaming with God’s worrying—

Christ about me,

in me,

with me,

today the darkening fierce joy of God’s sorrow

and then the tranquil swift dawn of God’s tomorrow.

Why, then, do I fear?

God is here,

                deep within,

                forever:

                Life grandly vibrant,

                Love scandalously flagrant,

                yet heart quietly homing

                and Lord wisely lording.

                But, then, —why do I fear?

                . . . fear . . . fear . . . fear . . .

—     David J. Hassel SJ