Novena for Order, Day 5

"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."

I've been thinking about these lines in light of this article from the New York Times on the destruction wrought by virtual lynch mobs, whose outrage is not founded on what T.S Eliot called an "objective correlative". The chosen victim must expiate his or her supposed sins by being pilloried in public and humiliating fashion. People pile on to the virtual hate because they feel safe in their anonymity, assuming (against the obvious example of the mob in which they are participating) that their words will never come back to bite them, that they'll never be called to account. When you are are unaccountable, you are safe. You can say anything you want. They deserve it anyway, right? Get out of the virtual kitchen if you can't stand the real heat.

Most of us know the sickness of being the subject of gossip, the gnawing horror in the stomach and the panicky desire to hide away. We had the merest brush with this recently, seeing our name tossed out for dissection and then passed over because someone else was more interesting to talk about. One forgets, writing a small blog, that all who read are not necessarily friends or kindly disposed. And yet, this non-event left me sleepless and pale and meditative for days. Looking at Aquinas's prayer, did I falter in times of adversity? Did I fear to displease anyone? Were transitory things like the security of being anonymous and overlooked on the internet worth more to me than all things eternal? Would it really matter, in the long-term spiritual sense, if someone I didn't know and would never meet picked over the small bit of life revealed as a passing amusement?

I have found, this past week, a new side of praying the rosary, in meditating on something unquestionably pure. The results of the Annunciation may have fed local gossip for months or years, but of itself it was perfect and full of grace. May our own lives become ever more full of grace, and of the peace that passes understanding despite what anyone may say about us.

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