MEDITATION:
Written by Hadewijech of Antwerp (13th century), a Beguine who chose to lead a life of poverty and contemplation without taking vows as a nun.
Be on your guard and let nothing disturb your peace. Do good under all circumstances, but with no care for any profit, or any blessedness, or any damnation, or any salvation, or any martyrdom; but all you do or omit should be for the honor of love. If you have like this, you will soon rise up again. And let people take you for a fool; there is much truth in that. Be docile and prompt toward all who have need of you, and satisfy everyone as far as you can manage it without debasing yourself. Be joyful with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be good toward those who have need of you, devoted toward the sick, generous with the poor, and recollected in spirit beyond the reach of all creatures. And even if you do the best you can in all things, your human nature must often fall short; so entrust yourself to God’s goodness, for his goodness is greater than your failures. And always practice true virtues, with confidence, and be diligent and constant in always following unconditionally our Lord’s guiding and his dearest will wherever you can discern it, taking trouble and doing your utmost to examine your thoughts strictly, in order to know yourself in all things.
PRAYER:
Written by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), a Spanish Carmelite nun, reformer, theologian and author.
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Pathways Press.com 