Latest Poem
- Brother Lawrence’s Kettle
The kettle, black, was not so often washed,
Just scraped out to get all the remnants clear.
From in the flames, friars were keenly watched,
A hope, a prayer, that Lawrence would appear.For when that Brother took kettle in hand,
To scrub out black-scorched beans or hardened grain,
Even resorting to a fist of sand,
Praises were raised to God, it felt no pain.The kitchen was the same as chapel pew,
When Lawrence cleaned, his voice sang holy lauds,
The kettle felt its iron soul renewed,
The Brother’s heart and mind were one with God.God’s found among the dirty pots and pans,
But you must bring Him there with your own hands.Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, OCD, was a French Catholic religious brother who served at a Discalced Carmelite monastery. He is best-known for his writing, The Practice of the Presence of God. Lawrence worked in the monestary’s kitchen, and wrote, “Therefore, completely penetrated by the grandeur of the infinite Being, I would enclose myself in the place obedience had marked out for me, the kitchen. There, alone, once my duties were taken care of, I devoted what time remained to mental prayer, before as well as after my work. When I began my work I said to God with filial trust: ‘My God, since you are with me, and since I must apply myself to these duties by your order, I beg you to give me the grace to remain with you and keep you company.’”
Tim Bete, OCDS, is editor emeritus of the Catholic Poetry Room. His poetry collections include Translation of Wonder, The Raw Stillness of Heaven and Wanderings of an Ordinary Pilgrim. His poetry has also been published in Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry, Mount Carmel magazine, Apostolate of the Little Flower magazine, and by the Semi-Province of St. Thérèse of the Discalced Carmelite Friars.
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