MEDITATION:
Written by John Calvin (1509-1564), a French theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant reformation.
Nearly all wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But, while joined by many bonds, which one precedes and bring forth the other is not easy to discern. In the first place, no one can look upon [oneself] without immediately turning…thoughts to the contemplation of God, in whom [one] “lives and moves.” For, quite clearly, the mighty gifts with which we are endowed are hardly from ourselves; indeed, our very being is nothing but subsistence in the one God.
PRAYER:
This prayer is from the Gallican Sacramentary, an historical version of Christian liturgy withing the Latin church in the 1st millennium.
O Lord, give me purity of lips, a clean and innocent heart, and rightness of action.
Give me humility, patience, abstinence, chastity, prudence, justice, courage and self-control.
Give me the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and godliness, and of your fear.
Always lead me to seek your face with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind. Let me have a contrite and humble heart in your presence—to prefer nothing to your love.
Most high, eternal, and ineffable Wisdom, drive away from me the darkness of blindness and ignorance. Most high and eternal Strength, rescue me. Most high and eternal Courage, help me. Most high and incomprehensible Light, illuminate me, Most high and infinite Mercy, have mercy on me. Amen.
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