Meditations
Morning Blessings
Top O' the Morning!
The sun is breaking through the clouds here in the Eternal City, but the mountains are still enveloped in mist. As I was sitting here sipping coffee and doing my spiritual reading, I came across the following quotes that really spoke to my heart. Please let me share them with you-
First, the closing prayer from morning prayer (also called "lauds," which is Latin for praise) in the Liturgy of the Hours or Breviary, which is the official prayer book or Psalter of the Church. (More on the history of that in a later post perhaps!) :
"Cast your kindly light upon your faithful, Lord, we pray, and with the splendor of your glory set their hearts ever aflame, that they may never cease to acknowledge their Savior and may truly hold fast to him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."
Second, I really enjoy this beautiful quote from John Vianney, a French priest from the 1800's whose holiness completely revitalized the parish church and rural village where he was stationed. In fact he became the patron saint of parish priests worldwide and is the namesake of the seminary in Miami where I studied philosophy prior to coming to Rome:
"Prayer is nothing else but union with God. When one has a heart that is pure and united with God, he is given a kind of serenity and sweetness that makes him ecstatic, a light that surrounds him with marvelous brightness... It is happiness beyond understanding... Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven."
Lastly, a passage from Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians, chapter 4 verses 4-9:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
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