Man’s eyes have great power, for they are conveyors of the soul.
When God dwells in a man, his eyes can carry God to men.
I am now about to close my eyelids, Lord,
For my eyes this evening have finished their work
And will return home,
Having walked for a day in the garden of men.
Thank You, Lord, for my eyes, windows open on the wide world;
Thank You for their look that carries my soul as the broad sunbeam carries the light and warmth of Your sun.
I pray to You during the night, that, tomorrow, when I open my eyes to the clear morning,
They shall be ready to serve both my soul and my God.
May my eyes be clear and straightforward, Lord, and give others a hunger for purity;
May my look never be one of disappointment,
disillusionment,
despair;
But may it know how to admire,
contemplate,
adore.
May my eyes learn to close in order to find You more easily;
But may they never turn away from the world because they are afraid.
May my eyes be penetrating enough to recognise Your presence in the world,
And may they never shut on the afflictions of men.
May my eyes be firm and steady,
But may they also know how to soften in pity and be capable of tears.
May my gaze not soil the one it touches,
May it not disturb, but may it bring peace.
May it not sadden, but rather may it transmit joy.
May it not attract in order to hold captive,
But rather may it persuade others to rise above themselves to You.
May my eyes disquiet the sinner because in them he will see Your light,
But may their reproach lead to encouragement.
Grant that my eyes may be startling because they are encounter,
an encounter with God.
Grant that they be a call,
a clarion call,
that brings all the world to its doorstep,
Not because of me, Lord,
Once more, this evening,
I give You my soul,
I give You my body,
I give You my eyes,
That in looking at men, my brothers,
It may be You who look at them
And You who beckon.
(Michel Quoist)
