Novena for Order, Day 8

I didn't forget about saying the novena yesterday -- I said it first thing. I didn't post it because I was sitting at the computer yesterday morning, clicking around, and didn't feel like interrupting my clickage to go copy the novena, paste it into a post, and write something pithy. So I didn't, and then I forgot about it. As I was in bed last night, all comfortable and falling asleep, suddenly I remembered: Aw, shoot, I didn't post the novena.

Which comes down to the question I've been asking myself lately: is this a productive use of my time? Posting the novena would have been a productive use of my time. Clicking around was not, as evidenced by the fact that I can't even tell you what or where I was reading around yesterday. Here are some of the numerous occasions lately when I've wondered whether I was really using my time most productively:

• standing at the kitchen island reading the newspaper while chaos swirls around my feet and the baby cries somewhere
• while sitting at the computer
  
• while sneaking a few of the three-year-old's potty training candy bribes rewards.
• while sitting at the computer
• while staring out the window into space while not washing the dishes
• when trying to figure out a crochet stitch, sitting next to mountains of unfolded laundry
  
• while sitting at the computer

Here are some of the occasions where I figured that I actually was using my time productively:

• laying on the bed watching the baby sleep or coo or be solemn. He's only this age once, and he's so adorable.
• playing the piano in the evening. I'm trying to learn the aria from the Goldberg Variations, and Darwin finds it relaxing to listen, even if I'm not Murray Perahia.
• saying the Liturgy of the Hours, even if the kids are fighting downstairs.
• showing my daughters how to crochet during the school day. This is life knowledge, people.
• while working out.
• anytime I make a cup of tea.

For Ordering a Life Wisely
St. Thomas Aquinas

O merciful God, grant that I may
desire ardently,
search prudently,
recognize truly,
and bring to perfect completion
whatever is pleasing to You
for the praise and glory of Your name.

Put my life in good order, O my God

Grant that I may know
what You require me to do.

Bestow upon me
the power to accomplish your will,
as is necessary and fitting
for the salvation of my soul.

Grant to me, O Lord my God,
that I may not falter in times
of prosperity or adversity,
so that I may not be exalted in the former,
nor dejected in the latter.

May I not rejoice in anything
unless it leads me to You;
may I not be saddened by anything
unless it turns me from You.

May I desire to please no one,
nor fear to displease anyone,
but You.

May all transitory things, O Lord,
be worthless to me
and may all things eternal
be ever cherished by me.

May any joy without You
be burdensome for me
and may I not desire anything else
besides You.

May all work, O Lord
delight me when done for Your sake.
and may all repose not centered in You
be ever wearisome for me.

Grant unto me, my God,
that I may direct my heart to You
and that in my failures
I may ever feel remorse for my sins
and never lose the resolve to change.

O Lord my God, make me
submissive without protest,
poor without discouragement,
chaste without regret,
patient without complaint,
humble without posturing,
cheerful without frivolity,
mature without gloom,
and quick-witted without flippancy.

O Lord my God, let me
fear You without losing hope,
be truthful without guile,
do good works without presumption,
rebuke my neighbor without haughtiness,
and -- without hypocrisy --
strengthen him by word and example.

Give to me, O Lord God,
a watchful heart,
which no capricious thought
can lure away from You.

Give to me,
a noble heart,
which no unworthy desire can debase.

Give to me
a resolute heart,
which no evil intention can divert.

Give to me
a stalwart heart,
which no tribulation can overcome.

Give to me
a temperate heart,
which no violent passion can enslave.

Give to me, O Lord my God,
understanding of You,
diligence in seeking You,
wisdom in finding You,
discourse ever pleasing to You,
perseverance in waiting for You,
and confidence in finally embracing You.

Grant
that with Your hardships
I may be burdened in reparation here,
that Your benefits
I may use in gratitude upon the way,
that in Your joys
I may delight by glorifying You
in the Kingdom of Heaven.

You Who live and reign,
God, world without end.

Amen.

translation by Robert Anderson and Johann Moser