by Luis G. Dato
Of old, man had the innate power of grace,
Which Adam lost, the father of our race,
But from which fall he still himself can lift,
Through baptism and penance, Jesus’ gift.
And what is grace? it is to live the life
Not of a mere man, enmeshed in dress and strife,
The sanctifying light, the living water
That makes God’s heirs of every son and daughter.
Sic transit gloria mundi. But, apart,
Man lords creation when God took to heart,
Despite transgressions mortal, evil ways,
That grace restored, he praise Him all his days.
And what Christianity? Cathedrals grand?
Or rituals, vestments that impress the land?
O no! it is the holy heritage
Of grace immortal through each passing age.
