Novena for Order 2022: Day 9

 

Agape Feast, from the Catacomb of St. Priscilla, 2nd-4th cen. AD

As I reach the end of my novena, I don't know if my life is approaching better order. If anything, I'm more aware of where I lack it. In general, I have a happy, easy life, in which our lifestyle is well suited to my inclinations: we have a gentle educational routine which seems to be bearing fruit; the house is pleasant, comfortable, and moderately clean; we like to be with each other. But as I try to write this paid piece, I am stymied. My habits of disciplined creativity are rusty. 

This is not the worst thing ever. Establishing a strong, stable foundation for my family will bear fruit in eternity in a way no personal endeavor of mine will do. But as I want my children to go from strength to strength, I'd like to grow from strength to strength, both creatively and spiritually. I would like my life to be ordered, not to my comfort, but to my flourishing. I want to order my life wisely, as the prayer says. This gives me plenty to think about as Lent nears, and one has the gift of actually being able to choose your own sacrifice.

"May grace come, and this world pass away." (Didache 10:6)

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
from The Aquinas Prayer Book