The Twenty-first Chapter
Above All Goods and All Gifts We Must Rest in God
The Disciple:
ABOVE all things and in all things, O my soul, rest always in God, for He is the everlasting rest of the saints.
Grant, most sweet and loving Jesus, that I may seek my repose in You above every creature; above all health and beauty; above every honor and glory; every power and dignity; above all knowledge and cleverness, all riches and arts, all joy and gladness; above all fame and praise, all sweetness and consolation; above every hope and promise, every merit and desire; above all the gifts and favors that You can give or pour down upon me; above all the joy and exultation that the mind can receive and feel; and finally, above the angels and archangels and all the heavenly host; above all things visible and invisible; and may I seek my repose in You above everything that is not You, my God.
For You, O Lord my God, are above all things the best. You alone are most high, You alone most powerful. You alone are most sufficient and most satisfying, You alone most sweet and consoling. You alone are most beautiful and loving, You alone most noble and glorious above all things. In You is every perfection that has been or ever will be. Therefore, whatever You give me besides Yourself, whatever You reveal to me concerning Yourself, and whatever You promise, is too small and insufficient when I do not see and fully enjoy You alone. For my heart cannot rest or be fully content until, rising above all gifts and every created thing, it rests in You.(From- Augustine, Confessions)
My Lord and God thank you for the many gifts you bestow upon me and my family. Keep us on track and help me desire the following:
To love you more than
health and beauty,
honor and glory,
power and dignity,
knowledge and cleverness,
riches and arts,
joy and gladness,
fame and praise,
sweetness and consolations,
hope and promise,
merits and desires,
gifts and favors,
and joy and exultation.
No comments:
Post a Comment