1886. Crous 1887. Jau FRIDAY MORNING. O LORD JESU CHRIST, our redemption and our salvation, we praise Thee, and give Thee thanks; and though we be unworthy of Thy benefits, and cannot offer unto Thee due devotion, yet let Thy lovingkindness fill up that which our weakness endeavoureth. Before Thee, O Lord, is all our desire, and whatsoever our heart rightly willeth, it is of Thy gift. Grant that we may attain to love Thee even as Thou commandest. Let not Thy gift be unfruitful in us, which of Thine own goodness Thou hast given us. Perfect that Thou hast begun ; give that which Thou hast made us to long after. Convert Thou our lukewarmness into fervent love of Thee. O blessed Lord and Saviour, who hast commanded us to love one another, the greatness of Thy benefit surpasseth all return, save that from our heart we obey Thy commandments. Grant us grace that having received Thine undeserved bounty, we may love every man in Thee and for Thee. We implore Thy clemency for all; but especially for the friends whom Thy love has given to us. Love Thou them, O Thou fountain of love, and make them to love Thee with all their heart, with all their mind, and with all their soul; that those things only which are pleasing to Thee they may will, and speak, and do. And though our prayer is cold, because our charity is so little fervent, yet Thou art rich in mercy. Measure not to them Thy goodness by the dulness of our devotion; but as Thy kindness surpasseth all human affection, so let Thy hearing transcend our prayer. Do Thou to them what is expedient for them, according to Thy will, that they, being always and everywhere ruled and protected by Thee, may attain in the end to everlasting life; and to Thee, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and praise for ever and ever. Amen. ANSELM. 1886.2005 FRIDAY EVENING. GREAT and marvellous are Thy works, O Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, thou King of saints. How shall we appear before Thee? Thou chargest Thine angels with folly, and the heavens. are not clean in Thy sight. Surely it becometh us to be humble, who are but dust and ashes. There is no holiness, O Lord, if Thou withdraw Thine hand. Wisdom profiteth not, unless Thou direct it. Strength is but weakness, unless Thou preserve it. Watchfulness availeth nothing, unless Thou watch with us. Left to ourselves, we sink and perish; only when Thou visitest us, do we rise up and live. We are weak in ourselves, but strong in Thee; we are cold, till Thou warmest us with the warmth of life. Blessed Jesus, grant us Thy grace; may it work with us, and in us, and continue with us to the end. Teach us to desire always that which is acceptable to Thee. Grant us to rest in Thee, and to enjoy in Thee that peace which the world cannot give. Lord, as Thou wast patient in Thy life on earth, always doing the will of Thy Father, teach us also to do and suffer what Thou pleasest, and to strive to profit by all the troubles of this present life. The path of this life has been sanctified by Thy footsteps, and through Thee the weak are made strong. The narrow way, though painful, has been made plain and easy, since Thou didst condescend to tread it on our behalf. Thy life is our light; and following the example of Thy holy patience, we would press on towards Thee, who art our crown. Enable us by Thy grace to do that which seems by nature impossible. Teach us to glory in tribulations. also, knowing that to suffer according to Thy will worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope; even that hope which maketh not ashamed. Thou, O Lord our God, art the only, the supremely Good. Thou alone art the Most High; Thou art also the most gracious and merciful. Make our hearts to rise above all the gifts and creatures of Thine hand, and to rest in Thee alone. O Lord Jesus, the brightness of the eternal glory, and the consolation of contrite and weary souls, refresh us with the light of Thy presence; set our hearts at liberty, and let the light of Thy countenance shine upon our souls. For there is none like unto Thee, O God, there is none that can do the wonders which Thou doest. Thy Word is very good, O Lord, therefore Thy servants love it. Praise and glory be unto Thee, O Thou Eternal Son of the Father: let our lips, and our souls, and all that is within us, praise and bless Thy holy name, for ever and ever. Amen. THOMAS A KEMPIS. |