November 9, 2007
The Prayers of Clarence Thomas/Merry del Val
A friend sent this link to a very interesting article on the prayer life of Clarence Thomas.
In the course of it, there is a litany from Cardinal Merry del Val, that struck my friend as a hard teaching:
Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should...
My friend noted that to take it seriously seemed to invite despair. But I pointed out that it was a detailed version of St. John of the Cross' todo y nada. That is, the litany does not prohibit one from accepting such graces as come to one, but asks God to grant us the freedom from fear or desire of these things, because such fear and/or desire was distracting from the "one thing necessary." It isn't that the objects mentioned are not legitimate things to desire or to fear, but rather that in either desire or fear of them we may find ourselves doing things that are not part of our particular vocation--going out of our way to seek or avoid things.
But this seems to be an interesting point and I'd love to hear what others think of the article and especially of the Litany.
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July 10, 2007
From Morning Prayer
I suppose I should be ashamed to admit that with my decrease in blogging there seemed to come a decrease in the fervor and content of my prayer life. Why that should be, I am still exploring, but I think part of it may be that I often shared the fruit of my prayer here, thus extending the prayer and making it fuller and giving me time to reflect upon and internalize the personal message I was receiving, while, at the same time, sharing some of the truths of the faith in general. This was a good practice, one to which I hope to return in some little way.
And to start, this small passage from Morning prayer. While I have no real depth of insight into it, nor any profound revelation, it touched my heart while I was praying and I thought I would share it in the hopes that it might also touch your heart with a certain knowledge of the profound love God has for each of us.
from Psalm 65
You crown the year with your goodness.
Abundance flows in your steps,
in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.
Even where there is no ostensible sign of His presence, His goodness is there, making life possible, "the force that through the green fuse drives the flower. . ." as Dylan Thomas might say to us.
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June 6, 2007
In the Season of the Spirit
Veni Creator
Czeslaw Milosz
Come, Holy Spirit,
bending or not bending the grasses,
appearing or not above our heads in a tongue of flame,
at hay harvest or when they plough in the orchards,
or when snow covers crippled firs in the Sierra Nevada.I am only a human being: I need visible signs.
I tire easily, building the stairway of abstraction.
Many a time I asked, you know it well,
that the statue in church lift its hand, only once, just once, for me.
But I understand that signs must be human,
therefore, call one person, anywhere on earth,
not me-after all I have some decency-
and allow me, when I look at that person,
to marvel at you.
And as a result, my life is better.
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October 18, 2006
A Beautiful Prayer
For whatever reason, I was attracted to this Middle English version of The Cloud of Unknowing and found therein a really beautiful prayer for all those who seek to live the will of God.
Goostly freende in God, I preie thee and I beseche thee that thou wilt have a besi [earnest] beholding to the cours and the maner of thi cleeping [calling]. And thank God hertely, so that thou maist thorow [through] help of His grace stonde stifly agens alle the sotil assailinges of thi bodily and goostly enemyes, and winne to the coroun [crown] of liif that evermore lasteth.
Amen.
I don't know why I find it so moving, except to think--in the communion of the Saints, I am blessed by the prayer of a person who so long ago wrote these words and who lives now in this world through them even as he pleads before the throne of God for all those who read them. One of the great mysteries revealed by God and constantly spoken of by the Church stands open to me here in a way that it does not when I read some other things. Odd--but perhaps it is the touch of that which is almost foreign, but still remains within the grasp of those who wish to understand it. The language is not my language and yet, it is close enough to know and alien enough to suggest another time, another world, another way of being.
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May 18, 2006
Hymn from Evening Prayer
Coupled with the thoughts that provoked the piece below, this really spoke to me this evening:
from a hymn by Fred Pratt Green
In the just reward of labor
God's will is done;
In the help we give our neighbor,
God's will is done;
In our world-wide task of caring
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests men are sharing,
God's will is done.
I don't know the proper attribution. If anyone does and will leave it for me, I'll correct this post. Thanks.
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March 16, 2006
Fear of the Lord
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10
from The Office of Readings: Thursday Second Week of Lent
from A Treatise on the Psalms,St. Hilary, BishopWe must begin by crying out for wisdom. . . . Then, we must understand the fear of the Lord.
"Fear" is not to be taken in the sense that common usage gives it. Fear in this ordinary sense is the trepidation our weak humanity feels when it is afraid of suffering something it does not want to happen. We are afraid, or are made afraid, because of a guilty conscience, the rights of someone more powerful, an attack from one who is stronger, sickness, encounters a wild beast, suffering evil in any form. This kind of fear is not taught: it happens because we are weak. We do not have to learn what we should fear: objects of fear bring their own terror with them.
But of the fear of the Lord this is what is written: Come, my children, listen to me, I shall teach you the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord has then to be learned because it can be taught. It does not lie in terror, but in something that can be taught. It does not arise from the fearfulness of our nature; it has to be acquired by obedience to the commandments, by holiness of life and by knowledge of truth.
For us the fear of God consists wholly in love, and perfect love of God brings our fear of him to its perfection.
The fear of the Lord is an acquired "skill," one necessary to wisdom, that does not spring from the primordial fear that accompanies us as guardian and protector (although often it gets out of hand and becomes tyrant). Couple that with the fact that this fear is learned and the fear takes on a new name: awe.
In today's world, many seem to have lost the sense of awe. Nothing seems to inspire people to the same heights that have been recorded in the past. We build taller buildings, we launch more ambitious projects, we see more majestic things, and there is a collective sigh and yawn. We are the children of the age of Ecclesiastes--we've seen it all and it is all futile and boring.
St. Hilary points out that to acquire fear of the Lord, at least three characteristics must be present in the life of a person: obedience, holiness, and truth. Awe cannot be present if any one of these is lacking. The order might be stated somewhat differently--a person must know the truth (of God and His commandments) and be humbly obedient to it as a prelude to holiness of life. Truth and knowledge are not the only requisites of a holy life, they are merely the start; but they are a powerful, meaningful start. These begin the "fear" of the Lord, which is perfected in the love that grows from them.
The dailiness of the day, the horrifying ennui of the movement from day to day, is broken by awe. A moment of sitting in the presence of God and recognizing Him who is and I who am not is sufficient for anyone to be revitalized, to regain a sense of awe and wonder at the magnificence of God. Without this necessary action even "billions upon billion of stars," are mere glowing balls of gas in the night sky.
If you look at young children, they have not yet forgotten awe. You see it in their faces as they look at each new thing. You see it in their behavior as they begin to react to these. Gradually, we train children out of this awe--we introduce them to the "real world," and work very hard to remove the stars from their eyes--not usually deliberately, but nonetheless effectively. I remember not so long ago when Sam would ask us what it was like before he was born. "What was it like when I wasn't born, when I was up in heaven with the angels and God?" He would ask this as though he had some memory of being in Heaven--it was magnificent, a breath of awe. Those questions come less frequently now, though we have done nothing consciously to remove them; nevertheless, our lack of response, of even being able to understand the question causes these questions to vanish, this memory of his to fade.
World-weariness, weltschmerz, is the dangerous offspring of a life not lived in holiness, obedience, and truth. One does not see this in the lives of the Saints. Rather one remarks in their every movement and every word a sense of profound joy, of profound peace. This is the proper offspring of love of God inspired by fear of the Lord. And this love of God brings the fear of the Lord to perfection.
O Lord,
This Lent,
teach me to fear you
as the prelude to proper love.
Set my feet in the paths of
truth, obedience, and holiness
that I may spread the light of your peace and joy
and be your humble servant here on Earth.
Amen.
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November 17, 2005
Pardon My Effusiveness
(There is something in this day that nearly overwhelms me with joy. An awareness of His guiding and abiding presence--what we call in Carmelite terms, a consolation. How unworthy I am to receive it, and how poorly I share it, but welcome to my joy.)
What can I say but thank you?
For the day,
for the hour,
for the rain,
for the sun,
for who I am,
for who I am not,
for those who love me,
for those who hate me,
for your abiding love.
Thank you is not enough,
thank you is only a beginning
thank you doesn't scratch the surface.
You are the Joy of the Day,
You are the Joy of each life,
You are the hidden well of life.
You are Lord.
And thank you that I am not.
I can't find my way home in this darkness,
I can't light the way for others in my own darkness.
But thy Word, O God, is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my way.
Everything comes from you and goes back to you.
Thank you.
Thank you for the world to rejoice in.
Thank you for this day's pains and trials.
Thank you for the confidence to know that every step in your light, every movement in your Grace is transforming.
Thank you for the knowledge that transformation is hard,
transformation hurts,
transformation hurts with the hard pains of giving birth.
O, but Lord, thank you for the new life that comes with birth.
Thank you for the new birth despite the pain.
Thank you for leading the way.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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November 9, 2005
From Catholic Fire, A Needed Prayer
Mary Immaculate, you have given yourself to us as our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You have asked us to pray with confidence, and we will receive great graces. We know your compassion, because you saw your Son suffer and die for us. In your union with his suffering you became the mother of us all.
Mary, my mother, teach me to understand my suffering as you do and to endure it in union with the suffering of Jesus. In your motherly love, calm my fears and increase my trust in God's loving care.
According to God's plan, obtain for me the healing I need. Intercede with your Son that I may have the strength I need to work for God's glory and the salvation of the world.
Amen.
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November 8, 2005
For the Feast Day of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity: Prayer to the Trinity
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity: Prayer to the Trinity
O my God, Trinity whom I adore; help me to forget myself entirely that I may be established in You as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing trouble my peace or make me leave You, O my Unchanging One, but may each minute carry me further into the depths of Your mystery. Give peace to my soul; make it Your heaven, Your beloved dwelling and Your resting place. May I never leave You there alone but be wholly present, my faith wholly vigilant, wholly adoring, and wholly surrendered to Your creative Action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I wish to be a bride for Your Heart; I wish to cover You with glory; I wish to love You...even unto death! But I feel my weakness, and I ask You to "clothe me with Yourself," to identify my soul with all the movements of Your Soul, to overwhelm me, to possess me, to substitute yourself for me that my life may be but a radiance of Your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Restorer, as Savior.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life in listening to You, to become wholly teachable that I may learn all from You. Then, through all nights, all voids, all helplessness, I want to gaze on You always and remain in Your great light. O my beloved Star, so fascinate me that I may not withdraw from Your radiance.
O consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, "come upon me," and create in my soul a kind of incarnation of the Word: that I may be another humanity for Him in which He can renew His whole Mystery. And You, O Father, bend lovingly over Your poor little crature; "cover her with Your shadow," seeing in her only the "Beloved in whom You are well pleased."
O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I lose myself, I surrender myself to You as Your prey. Bury Yourself in me that I may bury myself in You until I depart to contemplate in Your light the abyss of Your greatness.
-Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, 21 November 1904
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November 2, 2005
Prayer for Help in the Day
Lord,
I praise You for Your goodness and mercy; I rejoice in Your wisdom; I trust in Your loving kindness. For You made me who I am in strength and in weakness.
My strengths You have given me for service to all, that Your name is glorified and a cause for joy.
My weaknesses You have given me that I might come to rely upon You alone and rejoice and give glory to Your name.
Lord, prosper my strengths to better serve You and bolster my weaknesses that I give Your people no scandal and that I do not languish and fall away.
All of this I ask through You with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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November 1, 2005
From St. Ephrem the Syrian
A friend sent this to me and it really spoke, so I share it.
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
Who will not lament for me, who have renounced the eternal kingdom for the sake of meager pleasures, ignoring the eternal fire?
Having surrendered myself to the passions, I have destroyed the integrity of my soul and become like the unreasoning beasts.At one time I found myself rich with gifts, but now I have come to love the poverty of the passions. I have become a stranger to the virtues and departed for the distant land of corruption. I am half dead; I have only a tiny remnant of life in me.
Because I am this way by mine own free choice, I cannot even raise mine eyes to the kindhearted Lord.
Lament, O blessed and righteous ones, for me who am caught in the embrace of passions and sin.
Lament, O ascetics, for me who am a glutton and voluptuary.
Lament, O merciful and condescending ones, for me who am hardhearted and cause much grief.
Lament, O God-pleasers, for me who strives to please men (and women).
Lament, O you who have attained meekness, for me who am irritable and wrathful.
Lament, O humble ones, for me who am pompous and arrogant.
Lament, O you who have attained the nonacquisitiveness of the apostles, for me who, burdened by my love for possessions, cling to material things.
Lament, O you who have loved lamentation and hated laughter, for me who have loved laughter and hated lamentation.
Lament, you who contemplate the judgement that will come after death, for me who affirms that I remember the judgement but act to the contrary.
Pray, O saints of God, for my soul which is convulsed by all manner of passions. Inasmuch as you are able, help me, O saints of God.
For I know that if you beseech God, the Lover of mankind, all will be granted to you from the sea of His kindness. And, like our man-befriending God, so also when I, a sinner, beseech you, do not despise my supplication; for I have not the boldness to pray to Him myself because of the multitude of my sins.
Your role is is, O saints, to intercede for sinners; God's role it is to have mercy on those who despair.
O saints of God, pray to the King on behalf of the prisoner. Pray to the Pastor on behalf of the sheep. Pray to Life on behalf of the corpse, that He might lend His hand to aid me and strengthen my humble soul in its feebleness.
So appropriate for All Saints Day.
Note that even as we implore their lamentation, we encourage their joy because, "There is as much joy in heaven over the return of one sinner. . ."
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The Blessed Lady Theotokos
Rejoice for the gift of Christ Jesus that came to us through the most sacred vessel of His Mother, our hope in despair and our constant companion in prayer. O Blessed Theotokos, mother of contemplatives, pray for us who would pray with thee.
from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos we magnify you.
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October 30, 2005
Exultet!
Or, why keep it just for Easter. We need to hear these words every day.
Let now the heavenly hosts of angels rejoice
let the living mysteries be joyfully celebrated:
and let a sacred trumpet proclaim the victory of so great a King.
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A Suggested Prayer
Speculative Catholic offers a traditional prayer for those "difficult people."
from Speculative Catholic
Would it hurt you to say it once?
O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee by the Precious Body and Blood of Thy divine Son Jesus, which He Himself on the night before His Passion gave as meat and drink to His beloved Apostles and bequeathed to His Holy Church to be the perpetual Sacrifice and life-giving nourishment of His faithful people, deliver the souls in purgatory, but most of all, that soul which was least devoted to this mystery of infinite love, in order that it may praise Thee therefore, together with thy Divine Son and the Holy Spirit in Thy glory for ever. Amen
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June 28, 2005
Another Word from Morning Prayer
"As for me, I exalt my God,
and my spirit rejoices in the King of Heaven."C.S. Lewis said, "Joy is the serious business of Heaven." Last night at Bible Study I jokingly said, "Everything comes back to the book of Phillippians." They will know we are Christians by our love, but they will know our true love by our joy. Joy is the light that shines forth and invites the world to the banquet of the lamb. Joy is the mainstay of life. A life without joy is a life not lived.
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A Word from Morning Prayer
I read these words every four weeks or so on a Tuesday, perhaps more often than that. But today the meaning dawned upon me in a new way.
"King of glory, Lord of power and might, cleanse our hearts from all sin, preserve the innocence of our hands, and keep our minds from vanity, so that we may deserve your blessing in your holy place."
May it be so for all of us. In other words. Amen.
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April 19, 2005
Prayers for Purity
St. Thomas AquinasDearest Jesus! I know well that every perfect gift, and above all others that of chastity, depends upon the most powerful assistance of Thy Providence, and that without Thee a creature can do nothing. Therefore, I pray Thee to defend, with Thy grace, chastity and purity in my soul as well as in my body. And if I have ever received through my senses any impression that could stain my chastity and purity, do Thou, Who art the Supreme Lord of all my powers, take it from me, that I may with an immaculate heart advance in Thy love and service, offering myself chaste all the the days of my life on the most pure altar of Thy Divinity.
Amen.Traditional
Mary, loving Daughter of God the Father, I give my soul to your care. Protect the life of God in my soul. Do not let me lose it by serious sin. Protect my mind and my will so that all my thoughts and desires will be pleasing to God.
Hail Mary...Mary, loving Mother of God the Son, I give my heart to your care. Let me love you with all my heart. Let me always try to love my neighbor. And help me avoid friends who might lead me away from Jesus and into a life of sin.
Hail Mary...Mary, loving Spouse of the Holy Spirit, I give my body to your care. Let me always remember that my body is a home for the Holy Spirit who dwells in me. Let me never sin against Him by any impure actions alone or with others, against the virtue of purity.
Hail Mary...Brian Doerksen
Prayer for purityPurify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart, let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner's Fire my heart's one desire is to be holy; set apart for you, Lord
I choose to be holy, set apart for you my master, ready to do your will
Purify my heart, cleanse me from within and make me holy.
Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin deep within.Collecting those prayers that sometimes elude me when most I need them. Purity is always a good start. But most of these reflect on chastity, which isn't the main temptation I often face. Does anyone know of prayers for purity of intention? Is there another word I might use that would help me find some?
Later additions:
Collect for PurityAlmighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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February 28, 2005
The Sacrifice
From Office of Readings: Psalm 50
Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God
and render him your votive offerings.
Call on me in the day of distress.
I will free you and you shall honor me."Ant: Offer to God the sacrifice of praise.
Prayer: Father, accept us as a sacrifice of praise, so that we may go through life unburdened by sin, walking in the way of salvation, and always giving thanks to you.
My praise has grown beyond words for the good things He has done for me.
Father,
accept us as a sacrifice of praise,
so that we may go through life unburdened by sin,
walking in the way of salvation,
and always giving thanks to you.Father, accept us
as a sacrifice
of praise, so that we may go
through life unburdened
by sin, walking in the way
of salvation, and always
giving thanks
to you.Accept me--this body, this life, this brokenness--because my words are just words and they have been used so long and so hard that they do not mean what they once did. But my heart knows you and your joy. My heart hears your word and leaps up. All of creation is a praise to You, O God, what can I add to that with mere words? But my life--let it be a constant praise, a source of joy and hope to those who see You in me. Let my ears hear, my heart obey, and my life be always directed to You in humble obedience and joy.
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December 6, 2004
Prayer for the Day
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.--William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act V
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September 23, 2004
A Prayer of John Bruen
An amazing, beautiful death-bed prayer:
from God's Secretaries
Adam NicolsonCome Lord Jesus, and kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth, and embrace me with the armes of thy love. Into thy hands do I commend my spirit; O come now, and take me to thine owne selfe; O come, lord Jesus, come quickly. O come, O come, O come.
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September 3, 2004
A Prayer against Hurricanes
With enormous thanks to Neil.
All quiet so far--tomorrow the fun begins. Pray the roof holds and ward off any flooding. This slow-moving storm is bad news for a great many. It's a mixed blessing--more time to prepare for those things that can be prepared for, but subject to those things one can do nothing whatsoever about.
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.--found on Belief.net
Thanks to all of you praying. Keep it up. Prayer will yet prevail and keep a great many from harm.
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August 24, 2004
A Blessing
From the Intercessions in Morning Prayer, my sincere prayer for all who visit and for those unable to visit--my companions in the spirit.
May our companions today be free of sorrow, and filled with joy.
What a truly wonderful blessing is the treasure-trove of the Church's tradition. Praise God for this gift.
And another snippet:Let the radiance of Your love
scatter the floom of our hearts.
The light of heaven's Love has restored us to life:
free us from the desires that belong to darkness.Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:45 AM | TrackBack
June 17, 2004
A Sinner's Prayer
Lord,
The only thing I'm really good at is resisting you,
and now I'm at an age when resistance doesn't have nearly the attraction
it once did.So I ask you humbly Lord, make the path to agreement smoother,
help me not to resist your grace,
because left to myself, I will always choose what I want
over what I really need.Open my eyes and my heart,
let me see and love you.
And in seeing, let your light shine through me.
May I become light in light for those around me,
for the salvation of souls
and for the betterment of life here on Earth.O Lord, do not abandon me as I deserve,
but make haste and help me,
transform me into what you would have me be.
I cannot even will it fully,
but what I can do, I shall do.
I am weak, make me weaker that you might
be in complete control.Amen.
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June 9, 2004
From St. Ephrem the Syrian--Deacon, Doctor, and Poet
A prayer of this great Saint:
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of sloth, vain curiosity, lust for power, and idle talk.
But give to me Thy servant a spirit of soberness, humility, patience, and love.
O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brother:
For blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amenfrom Hymns on Paradise-1
St. Ephrem the SyrianPraise to Your righteousness
which exalts those who prove victorious.
1.2
I took my stand halfway
between awe and love;
a yearning for Paradise
invited me to explore it,
but awe at its majesty
restrained me from my search.
With wisdom, however,
I reconciled the two;
I revered what lay hidden
and meditated on what was revealed.
The aim of my search was to gain profit,
the aim of my silence was to find succor."I took my stand halfway
between awe and love."What a wonderful way to think about and meditate on God. Through the intercession of St. Ephrem may we all take our stand halfway between awe and love and lead the world and lost souls to do likewise. Amen.
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May 21, 2004
Poetry of St. Robert Southwell
I dye alive
Robert Southwell (?1561–1595)
O LIFE! what letts thee from a quicke decease?
O death! what drawes thee from a present praye?
My feast is done, my soule would be at ease,
My grace is saide; O death! come take awaye.
I live, but such a life as ever dyes;
I dye, but such a death as never endes;
My death to end my dying life denyes,
And life my living death no whitt amends.
Thus still I dye, yet still I do revive;
My living death by dying life is fedd;
Grace more then nature kepes my hart alive,
Whose idle hopes and vayne desires are deade.
Not where I breath, but where I love, I live;
Not where I love, but where I am, I die;
The life I wish, must future glory give,
The deaths I feele in present daungers lye.I do well to remind myself that I live in a privileged era and a privileged place. No matter that the media are unrelentingly hostile toward my belief, no matter that prejudice still is rampant in some places. I nevertheless can live a life of relative comfort and freedom compared to those who came before. The poetry of this great martyr for the faith ever puts me in mind of how very good I have it despite facing some difficulties. I am thankful before God for what He has granted, and despite all that is less than it should be, I rejoice in my relative freedom to work for Him. As He said with His own lips, "To whom much is given, much is expected in return."
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that I may return even a small part of the many blessings and graces that have come to me from God the Father through the hands of your Blessed Mother. Let the Holy Spirit guide me in all that I do, and awaken my deadened senses to better heed His promptings. Let me work for the good of your church, for the salvation of your people, and for my own good ever heedful of your divine mercy and love.
Amen.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:05 AM | TrackBack
April 29, 2004
Psalm Prayer
I have prayed this some two-hundred times (or thereabouts) since I began recitation of the Liturgy of hours and this morning it spoke to me:
Psalm Prayer for the Third Psalm of Morning Prayer, Thursday Week III
God, you are the source of all holines. Though no one can see yu and live, you give life most generously and in an even greater way restore it. Sanctify your priests through your life-giving Word, and consecrate your people in his blood until our eyes see your face.
What broke through my early-morning haze was that last phrase "and consecrate your people in his blood until our eyes see your face." There is something about the notion of "our eyes" seeing "your face" that engages the imagination and stirs sluggish hope to rouse Charity to ardor. That is the goal, ultimately. In Heaven we shall see His Holy face and we shall rejoice in it knowing that we are in His presence for all eternity, that we will not fall like the angels, because we've already been given our chance at that in this lifetime. We shall know God, talk to Him face to face. Think of that. In Isaiah we see that not even the great Seraphim do so; we are destined through the grace and the salvific gift of Christ on the Cross to see God face to face and to call Him Father. What joy, what utter joy. Words fail.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 6:35 AM | TrackBack
April 6, 2004
A Prayer Too Beautiful
from In Conversation with God
Francis FernandezHe is King of my heart. He is the King to that intimate interior world of mine where no one can enter and where I alone am master. Here in my heart Jesus is King. This you well know, O Lord.
(quotation from J. Leclercq, A Year With the Liturgy
Posted by Steven Riddle at 12:40 PM | TrackBack
March 4, 2004
Morning Prayer Quotation
from Morning Prayer, Thursday first week of Lent
Father,
without you we can do nothing.
By your Spirit help us to know what is right
and to be eager in doing your will.We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with ou and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:30 AM | TrackBack
March 1, 2004
On the Prayer of Christ--A Prayer for All
from On the Passion of Christ: According to the Four Evangelists
Thomas á KempisAlso grant me the grace courageously to overcome my defiant flesh for the benefit of my soul, to cast out all carnal fear, to pray more frequently and attentitvely, to enjoy your assistance, to leave every outcome in your hands, to renounce my will thoroughly, and to be ready to suffer whatever comes.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 23, 2004
Well, Now That I've Scared Off One Reader
(although truth to tell--I rather think she's off brushing off her platform). it's time to break out the big, medieval guns.
from The Cloud of Unknowing--"Prayer from the Prologue"
GOD, unto whom all hearts be open, and unto whom all will speaketh, and unto whom no privy thing is hid. I beseech Thee so for to cleanse the intent of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Thy grace, that I may perfectly love Thee, and worthily praise Thee. Amen.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 5:00 PM | TrackBack
January 1, 2004
A New Year's Thought
I have an awful habit of purchasing large numbers of prayer books. I don't buy them to actually use the prayers qua prayers, but because many of the prayers are a fruitful beginning to a period of time with the Lord.
Well today I bought another such book for two reasons--it was already incredibly cheap and marked 50% off even the cheap price. And the following prayer struck me right to the heart. I thought the book worth it, even if there were nothing else between the two covers.
New Friends
Lord, today you have made us known
to friends we did not know,
and you have given us seats in homes
which are not our own.
You have brought the distant near,
and made a brother of a stranger,
Forgive us Lord. . .
we did not introduce you.A Polynesian Prayer
How many opporntunities do we overlook? How many chances do we miss to introduce Him whom we supposedly love to people who have no knowledge of Him? What a wonderful reminder to usher in the new year. In the everyday things of life, in every moment of quiet in every introduction, there should be three involved--you, the new person, and the Lord.
Oh, and just in case you wondered--that wasn't the end of the treasures:
Overcoming Separation
My God and my Lord:
eyes are at rest, the stars are setting,
hushed are the movements of birds in their nests,
of monsters in the deep.And you are the just who knows no change,
the Equity that does not swerve,
the Everlasting that never passes away.The doors of kings are locked
and guarded by their henchmen.
But your door is open to those who call upon you.
My Lord, each lover is now alone with his beloved.
And I am alone with you.Rabi'ah al--Adawiyah,(717-801) India
By the way, if you're interested, the book is called The Bridge of Stars and I found it on the remainered shelves at Barnes and Noble.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 5:23 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 9, 2003
Evening Examen--Sins against the Commandment
From Ikos IV of the Akathist of Thanksgiving by Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov (Martyr)
When the sun is setting, when quietness falls like the peace of eternal sleep, and the silence of the spent day reigns, then in the splendour of its declining rays, filtering through the clouds, I see Thy dwelling-place: fiery and purple, gold and blue, they speak prophet-like of the ineffable beauty of Thy presence, and call to us in their majesty. We turn to the Father.
Glory to Thee at the hushed hour of nightfall
Glory to Thee, covering the earth with peace
Glory to Thee for the last ray of the sun as it sets
Glory to Thee for sleep's repose that restores us
Glory to Thee for Thy goodness even in the time of darkness
When all the world is hidden from our eyes
Glory to Thee for the prayers offered by a trembling soul
Glory to Thee for the pledge of our reawakening
On that glorious last day, that day which has no evening
Glory to Thee, O God, from age to ageDid I miss Mass Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation through my own fault? Did I come to Mass on time? Leave early? Did I do work on Sunday that was not necessary? Did I set aside Sunday as a day of rest and a family day? Did I show reverence in the presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament? Did I fail to give thanks for this glorious day of rest, celebration, and holiness?
How can I come to love God more? How can I hear Him better in the world? How can I carry the spirit of the sabbath day into the other days of the week? How can I show the power of Jesus to all around me? How have I experienced that power in this day? How do I become more aware of His graciousness and His power?
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:02 PM | TrackBack
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests--9 November 2003
O Master and holy God, who are beyond our understanding: at your word, light came forth out of darkness. In your mercy, you gave us rest through night-long sleep, and raised us up to glorify your goodness and to offer our supplication to You. Now, in your own tender love, accept us who adore You and give thanks to You with all our heart. Grant us all our requests, if they lead to salvation; give us the grace of manifesting that we are children of light and day, and heirs to your eternal reward. In the abundance of your mercies, O Lord, remember all your people; all those present who pray with us; all our brethren on land, at sea, or in the air, in every place of Your domain, who call upon your love for mankind. Upon all, pour down your great mercy, that we, saved in body and in soul, may persevere unfailingly; and that, in our confidence, we may extol your exalted and blessed Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, always, now and forever. Amen.
Lord, one more day to love you!
Brother Charles de Foucauld
Please remember:--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers
--Ms Moniz and her daughter Hailey, may God grant them rest and repose in Him
--For all those living without love that we who may love will touch their lives.--Members of St. Blogs and visitors who are pregnant or who desire to become so
--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPraise Report
Keep on praying for Sister Anne!
Sister Anne did not have surgery until late Wed. They had to build up her blood. She had a spinal block, and came out of OR at 10:05 pm EST very chipper. Next day she was sitting up feeding herself and in great spirits. Nine lives. She'll be home soon. Thanks for your prayers.For my brother's relatively rapid and trouble free recovery from surgery
Please add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:39 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 8, 2003
Morning Offering and Praise Report
How good it is to give thanks to Thee, O Lord, and to sing praises to Thine exalted Name; to declare Thy loving kindness at the break of the day, and Thy faithfulness during the night.
O Lord, hearken to our voice at the dawn of the day, and in the morning let us be found ready by Thee.O Lord absolve and pardon all our sins. O Holy one, over shadow Thy right hand upon us, and heal all our infirmities for the sake, of Thy eternal Name.
Amen
(Orthodox Morning Prayer)
Please remember:--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers
--Ms Moniz and her daughter Hailey, may God grant them rest and repose in Him--Members of St. Blogs and visitors who are pregnant or who desire to become so
--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPraise Report
Keep on praying for Sister Anne!
Sister Anne did not have surgery until late Wed. They had to build up her blood. She had a spinal block, and came out of OR at 10:05 pm EST very chipper. Next day she was sitting up feeding herself and in great spirits. Nine lives. She'll be home soon. Thanks for your prayers.For my brother's relatively rapid and trouble free recovery from surgery
Please add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 4:23 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 7, 2003
Evening Examen--Forgiveness
As I have it on most excellent authority that I might best ascend to virtue through the regular discipline of morning offering and evening examen, I attempt to reestablish that rhythm here. Be aware that the weekend I may make these prayers, but I'm not certain that I shall be able to post them.
Once again remembering the turmoil of our brethren in the Anglican communion and of those who are presently lost in the riving of the Episcopalian Church:
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. (BCP, 1622)
Have we forgiven our enemies today? Harder, have we truly forgiven those we love, those closest to us and most capable of really hurting us? Have we offered that forgiveness willingly? Have we forgiven those whose hurt from long ago echoes in our very bones today? Have we forgiven unconditionally, or have we stood on our principles? Have we asked forgiveness of those we have wronged? Have we been able to admit when we have wronged others? Have we been careful of our words so as to limit the times when we inadvertantly offend? Have we offered all our hurt at another's hands to our Lord? Have we asked Him to bind up our hurts and make good of them? Have we turned to Him and asked the forgiveness only He can offer, or have we presumed upon it?
Posted by Steven Riddle at 6:53 PM | TrackBack
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, exhilirate me
Water from the side of Christ, cleanse me.Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within thy wounds shelter me
Never let me separated from thee.From the wicked foe defend me
At the hour of my death please call me
And bid me come fly to thee
That with the saints I may praise thee,
For thine is the kingdom and the Power and the glory,
Now and for all eternity.Please remember:
--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers
--Ms Moniz and her daughter Hailey, may God grant them rest and repose in Him--Members of St. Blogs and visitors who are pregnant or who desire to become so
--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPraise
--for my brother's rapid, relatively uncomplicated recovery
--for the success of Sr. Anne's surgeryPlease add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:28 AM | TrackBack
November 6, 2003
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests
Lord, Jesus,
through the hands of Your Blessed Mother, I offer You all my thoughts, words, and actions this day for all the intentions of Your Most Sacred Heart. Especially, I offer You all the acts of faith in You and Your Love that I perform, in order to obtain from Your Sacred Heart the grace of Baptism for all the innocent babies who will be murdered by abortion today. Because their own fathers and mothers will violently refuse them life, and thus refuse to stand before You as guarantors of their baby's faith in You, accept me as the spiritual father/ mother of those babies. And, within the Divine economy of Your Mystical Body except me as guarantor of those babies' desire to be with You forever, so that having been killed most cruelly, they may be admitted to Your Presence as sinless, martyrs to the truth of Your Love and Your Salvation. I ask this for Your Holy Name Sake. Amen.Please remember:
--my brother who is recovering from complications from the surgery he underwent yesterday
--Mother Ann of the Carmel of Port Tobacco who needs surgery for broken bones--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers
--Ms Moniz and her daughter Hailey, may God grant them rest and repose in Him--Members of St. Blogs and visitors who are pregnant or who desire to become so
--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPraise
--thanksgiving for the success of Christine's garage sale
--thanksgiving for the relatively good news of Linda's medical reportPlease add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:27 AM | TrackBack
November 5, 2003
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests
Lord God Almighty, Who have brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us during this day by Your power, that we may not fall into sin but that all our words, thoughts and deeds may always proceed and be directed toward that which is just in Your sight.Please remember:
--my brother who undergoes surgery for gall bladder removal today
--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers
--Ms Moniz and her daughter Hailey, may God grant them rest and repose in Him--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPraise
--thanksgiving for the success of Christine's garage sale
--thanksgiving for the relatively good news of Linda's medical reportPlease add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:30 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 4, 2003
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests
O Holy Ghost, Divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my mind, heart and will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my mind be ever docile to Thy divine inspirations and to the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church whose infallible guide Thou art; my heart ever inflamed with the love of God and of my neighbor; my will ever conformable to the divine will; and my whole life a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen.
Eternal Spirit, increase within my soul, faith, hope and charity, that I may believe ever firmly the truths which Thou hast revealed, hope ever confidently in Thy divine promises, and love sincerely Thee, my God, and all my fellow men who were created to Thy image and likeness. Amen.
Please remember:--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers
--Ms Moniz and her daughter Halley, may God grant them rest and repose in Him--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPlease add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:28 AM | TrackBack
November 3, 2003
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings, all that this day may bring, be they good or bad: for the love of God, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for all the sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Please remember:
--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future
--Christine and Gordon who endure the burden of separation as they await news of a job that will allow them once again to be together
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPlease add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:25 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 2, 2003
Morning Offering and Prayer Requests
Most Holy and Adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I firmly believe that You are here present; I adore You with the most profound humility; I praise You and give You thanks with all my heart for the favors You have bestowed on me. Your Goodness has brought me safely to the beginning of this day. Behold, O Lord, I offer You my whole being and in particular all my thoughts, words and actions, together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet with in the course of this day. Give them, O Lord, Your blessing; may Your divine Love --animate them and may they tend to the greater honor and glory of Your Sovereign Majesty. Amen.
Please remember:--the poor souls in purgatory
--all of those departed souls close to any member of St. Blogs who still are in need of our prayers--Dylan as he is feeling greatly dejected and concerned about the future.
--the people of southern California who have lost their homes and family members
--Ms Schiavo and her family
--the men and women of the American Armed forces
--the homeless, the lonely, and those without recourse in this world
--the intentions of the Holy FatherPlease add your own needs and intentions via the comment box.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 6:19 AM | TrackBack
October 17, 2003
A Prayer for Bible Study
Found in Stephen Ray's imposing study St. John's Gospel
A Prayer for Scripture Study from Origen
Lord, inspire us to read your Scriptures and to meditate upon them day and night. We beg you to give us real understanding of what we need, that we in turn may put its precepts into practice. Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless, unless rooted in your graceful love. So we ask that the words of Scriptures may also be not just signs on a page, but channels of grace into our hearts.Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:34 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
October 15, 2003
For the Feast Day of La Madre
From The Autobiography (XXV: 22)
O my Lord, how true a friend art Thou! how powerful! Thou showest Thy power when Thou wilt; and Thou dost will it always, if only we will it also. Let the whole creation praise Thee, O Thou Lord of the world! Oh, that a voice might go forth over all the earth, proclaiming Thy faithfulness to those who love Thee! All things fail; but Thou, Lord of all, never failest! They who love Thee, oh, how little they have to suffer! oh, how gently, how tenderly, how sweetly Thou, O my Lord, dealest with them! Oh, that no one had ever been occupied with any other love than Thine! It seems as if Thou didst subject those who love Thee to a severe trial: but it is in order that they may learn, in the depths of that trial, the depths of Thy love. O my God, oh, that I had understanding and learning, and a new language, in order to magnify Thy works, according to the knowledge of them which my soul possesses! Everything fails me, O my Lord; but if Thou wilt not abandon me, I will never fail Thee. Let all the learned rise up against me,--let the whole creation persecute me,--let the evil spirits torment me,--but do Thou, O Lord, fail me not; for I know by experience now the blessedness of that deliverance which Thou dost effect for those who trust only in Thee. In this distress,--for then I had never had a single vision,--these Thy words alone were enough to remove it, and give me perfect peace: "Be not afraid, my daughter: it is I; and I will not abandon thee. Fear not."
And in a sense, this may be another response to Mr. O'Rama (see below)--that perhaps the ennui that sets in is a trial of sorts--bear up under it, offer it as a small sacrifice to God and make progress in the Little Way. All of our choices have echoes in eternity.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:02 AM | TrackBack
October 9, 2003
Prayer Attributed to Sir Francis Drake
Prayer Attributed to Sir Francis Drake, 1577
Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.Posted by Steven Riddle at 1:51 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 8, 2003
A Prayer of St. Raphael Kalinowski
A Prayer of St. Raphael Kalinowski
from Drink of the Stream Compiled by Penny Hicks, O.C.D.S.We entrust our task to our Most Holy Mother, the Virgin Mary, under her maternal care.
If there is anything to correct, let it be corrected once and for all; may the good that is done continue to increase.
Toward this purpose, may God's love flood your souls along this earthly life, and finally lead you to the fountain of love, that is to God Himself in eternity.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:16 AM
Invoking the Saints
Invoking the Saints
Erik suggests a few to call upon to see our Episcopal brethren to safe shores. Here I add a few more. (Also, if anyone knows, why do we not say please, when asking such favors from the Saints? An imperative sounds as though we deserve it, and we most certainly do not.)
St. Thomas Becket, pray for us.
St. Robert Southwell, pray for us.
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
St. John Fisher, pray for us.
St. Edmund Campion, pray for us.
St. Margaret Clitherow, pary for us.
St. Anne Line, pray for us.
St. Margaret Ward, pray for us.
St. John Rigby, pray for us.
St. Philip Howard, pray for us.
St. Robert Gwyn, pray for us.
St. Swithun Wells, pray for us.
St. Augustine Webster, pray for us.
St. John Houghton, pray for us.
St. Robert Lawrence, pray for us.
St. Richard Reynolds, pray for us.
St. John Stone, pray for us.
St. Alexander Briant, pray for us.
St. Edmund Arrowsmith, pray for us.
St. David Lewis, pray for us.
St. Henry Morse, pray for us.
St. Henry Walpole, pray for us.
St. Nicholas Owen, pray for us.
St. Philip Evans, pray for us.
St. Thomas Garnet, pray for us.
St. Alban Roe, pray for us.
St. Ambrose Barlow, pray for us.
St. John Roberts, pray for us.
St. John Jones, pray for us.
St. John Wall, pray for us.
St. Cuthbert Mayne, pray for us.
St. Edmund Gennings, pray for us.
St. Eustace White, pray for us.
St. John Almond, pray for us.
St. John Boste, pray for us.
St. John Kemble, pray for us.
St. John Lloyd, pray for us.
St. John Pain, pray for us.
St. John Plesington, pray for us.
St. John Southworth, pray for us.
St. Luke Kirby, pray for us.
St. Polydore Plasden, pray for us.
St. Ralph Sherwin, pray for us.
John Henry Newman, pray for us.
To all these Saints, and all of those who lost their lives for the faith, we beg your guidance for the people who have been cut lose from their moorings, separated from the Mother they dearly loved. Guide them into the bosom of the Holy Catholic Church, a true and devoted Mother. But more importantly, intercede for us, who have allowed so grievous an offense to the dignity of our Precious Lord. May your sufferings and shed blood help in some small measure to make up for the grievous sin committed against Our Sovereign, Gentle, Loving King.Amen.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:02 AM
July 1, 2003
The Magnificat Monthly Litany
The Magnificat Monthly Litany
I loved the Litany featured for the month of June. They called it "Blessing for the Wisdom of the Doctors of the Church" and each part of the litany featured a small quote from a Church Doctor and an appropriate response. Below I feature those for the Carmelite Doctors:
St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) (1582) "The Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done." --For absolute purity of intention and unfailing love, St. Teresa of Avila, --Pray for us.St. John of the Cross (1591)"When once the will is touched by God himself, it cannot be satisfied except by God."
--For a conversion that orders all my longings, St. John of the Cross
--Pray for us.St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1897) "What pleases Jesus is that he sees me loving my littleness and my poverty, the blind hope I have in his mercy."
--For the grace of spiritual childhood, St. Thérèse of Lisieux
--Pray for us.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:10 AM
June 27, 2003
From the Intercessions in this
From the Intercessions in this Morning's Magnificat
If nothing can separate us from the love of God made manifest in the human heart of Jesus Christ, then nothing is too small or too great for His concern.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 7:55 AM
June 19, 2003
From Morning Prayer
From Morning Prayer
And incidentally from the First Letter of Peter:
1 Peter 4: 10-11a As generous distributors of God's manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received. The one who speaks is to deliver God's message. The one who serves is to do it with the strength provided by God. Thus, in all of you God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ.What really struck me this morning, although I know it sticks somewhere in the back of my mind most times, is the wonderful notions that we are "generous distributors of God's manifold grace." That is, we are instruments of His grace, sometimes unwillingly, most times unknowingly, but nevertheless it is true. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be more aware of it more of the time and act in accordance with the responsibility that implies? I mean many organizations and groups have dress codes and requirements for the people they send out to represent them to the public. Shouldn't our dress code be love, patience, humility, and prayerfulness?
Posted by Steven Riddle at 1:13 PM
May 13, 2003
Drink of the Stream--A Review
Drink of the Stream--A Review
A book compiled by Penny Hickey O.C.D.S.
I've spoken of it frequently, and now it is a constant companion--a companion I would recommend for all Carmelites and indeed for all seriously interested in the interior life. The subtitle, "Prayers of Carmelites" gives the general thrust of the spirituality--it is strongly Carmelite with the via negativa (St. John of the Cross's famous "Nada, nada, nada, nada. . .) and references to the dark night.
The book presents prayers derived from the work of some 25 Carmelite Saints, Blesseds, and Servants of God, from Elijah and Elisha to the relatively unknown St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes. (Another 20th century Saint who, like Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity and St. Thérèse of Lisieux died at a very young age). These prayers are derived from the writings of St. Mary Magdalene da Pazzi, St Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and others. As such, they have the character of mediations and meditation starters. They encourage one to peer deeply into the heart of God and one's own connection with God. They demand that one face certain truths in one's own life. In short, they are preparation for the Ascent, or companions on the climb who continually urge us to the difficult path, noting that when we stop thinking of it as difficult, it becomes God's own work and path and the climb is mysteriously easier.
Each set of prayers and mediations is prefaced by a very brief biography that "sets the stage." The prayers themselves are usually quite brief, a matter of a minute or so reading, but they are incredibly powerful, sticking with you throughout the day.
As I have said, this book is now my nearly constant companion, from it I derive tremendous strength and hope in what has been and continues to be a very trying time.
For additional information about the book visit Ignatius Press.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 8:10 AM
May 9, 2003
We Continue Our Pilgrimage With
With some remarkable words of St. Raphael Kalinowski. St. Raphael Kalinowski spent many years in Siberia for participation in a rebellion. He joined Carmel after returning from Siberia. He was certain that unity of the Orthodox and Catholic churches could be attained through the devotion to Our Lady that the churches held in common.
from Drink of the Stream A Prayer of St. Raphael KalinowskiJesus, hope of suffering humanity, our refuge and our strength, whose light pierces the black clouds that hang over our stormy sea, enlighten our eyes so that we can direct ourselves toward You Who are our harbor. Guide our bar[que] with the rudder of the nails of Your cross, lest we drown in the storm. With the arms of this cross rescue us from the turbulent waters and draw us to Yourself, our only repose, Morning Star, Sun of Justice, for with our eyes obscured by tears, we can catch a glimpse of You there, on the shores of our heavenly homeland. Redeemed by You, we pray: Salvos nos fac propter nomen tuum--"Save us for the sake of Your holy name." And all this through Mary.
I am stunned by the remarkable consistency of the metaphor. Had John Donne composed this prayer, I would call it a metaphysical conceit (although that may be taking the matter a bit too far.) The elements all appeal, and the truth is stunningly brought home with the line "we catch a glimpse of You ther, on the shores of our heavenly homeland." Sometimes we need to be vouchsafed a glimpse of that homeland, if only to know what we steer toward. And even if only vicariously.
Posted by Steven Riddle at 9:06 AM
March 6, 2003
The Fruit of Last Night's Lectio
Poor Judas
Luke 22:1-6 especially verse 3.
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot who was of the number of the twelve.Poor Judas--weak and broken vessel--most cracked in an assemblage of broken crockery. Even among those closest to the savior, Satan seemed to have his own way. Peter and Judas that we know of, James and John in the Garden, and who knows what we have not heard in the Gospel stories. But Judas worst off of all. Dante has him with Cassius and Brutus occupying the three mouths of Satan, Judas eternally head-in.
And I am so like him. My price is so low. Would I betray Christ for thirty silver pieces? A ridiculous question both in mood and tense. The answer is I have betrayed Him for far less that that. When I speak harshly to someone because my own pride is wounded, is that worth 30 silver pieces? When I ignore the plight of the poor, when I eat more than I need to live, when I lie and cheat to gain my own paltry ends, when I commit any of the hundred or thousand greater or lesser infractions of the day--am I not also rejecting the love of One who wishes more than anything for me to see what Love is? No, I am less that Judas, less than the traitor who surrendered the Lord. Driven by greed, disapppointment, confusion, and who knows what other motives--he at least once loved and listened to the Lord. And the despair of his terrible death suggests that at least he truly regretted the terrible thing he had done. More often than not, I do not regret. It takes enormous work and thought to bring me to a single moment of contrition. God has to work overtime on my hardened heart to move it a single beat closer to His own.
Poor Judas
betrayer of the Lord--
and yet I am less than the dirt
beneath his feet!
Would I ever have chosen to serve
the peripatetic Lord?
This perambulating savior?
If you, poor Judas, are in a place to do so,
please pray for me that I avoid
fu