In a post below I gave a link to the three talks on "Prayer" that Archbishop Rowan Williams presented during Holy Week. In the third talk Williams speaks of six 20th century figures who have influenced his thinking and praying: two Jewish women and four Catholic monks.One of the women is Simone Weil, philosopher and mystic. Many will remember that, during a retreat at the Monastery of Solesmes, Weil met a young Irishman who introduced her to the poem, "Love," by George Herbert. One evening, as she was praying the poem, she claims that Christ came down and took possession of her.As we celebrate the octave of Easter, and the risen Christ's eucharistic meals with his disciples, the poem may nourish our own prayer.LOVELove bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in,Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack'd anything."A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here"; Love said, "You shall be he.""I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear, I cannot look on thee."Love took my hand and smiling did reply, "Who made the eyes but I?""Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame Go where it doth deserve.""And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?" "My dear, then I will serve.""You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat." So I did sit and eat.

Robert P. Imbelli, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, is a longtime Commonweal contributor.

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