©2009 Susan Noyes Anderson

No soul could walk this earth alone

and still emerge believing.

The fertile ground for faith is found

in giving and receiving.

The love of Christ is ours to share

but we must make that choice.

As we speak to another’s heart,

we hear the Savior’s voice.

Each time we wipe a bitter tear

or smooth a furrowed brow,

we touch as much of godliness

as this world will allow.

We strengthen feeble knees and lift

the hands that are hung down.

We reach beyond the dirt and thorns

toward a heav’nly crown.

Our hope in Christ pours healing balm

upon the suffering spirit.

We preach forgiveness and acceptance

so that all might hear it.

And holding up the wounded,

we receive more than we give,

for when we put on charity,

we change the way we live.

To care for saint or sinner is

to wield the Savior’s powers.

On earth, His love must come through us.

He has no hands but ours.

Inspired by Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the earth; yours are the feet b y which He is to go about doing good, and yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now.”