HIDDEN WISDOM

     CAN LOVE alone sanctify the world? If the nations reject you, King of Kings, can love alone accomplish your work? Can love bear the burden of our sin or the hatred of your enemies? When shall the heavens and the earth pass away? When will your holiness make its home in our hearts?

     FOR OUR part, we labor to no purpose. We love the sin that is destroying us.  Who will take notice? Who will speak for us? Deliver us from our works of darkness. Save us from the death of self-worship. O Christ, take us into your household. Invite us to your banquet, O Lord, and seat us at table.

     WHY IS wisdom mysterious? Why is wisdom hidden? Lord, why did you choose suffering to bring about the end of suffering? Who could accept death to vanquish death but you O Lord? We were servants, and you called us friends. You gave your life in sacrifice for us.

     MY GOD, you have rescued me from myself. You have saved me from my inhumanity. I will bear your gentle love on my shoulders. I will learn the ways of humility and holiness. In the authority of your name, I find freedom, and in the demands of your Love, I find rest. I bow before the majesty of your name.

     THROUGH YOUR Word, perfect our love for you. Sustain our desire for the gifts of faith. Accept our humble gift of assent as if the whole world held it precious, as if it were offered by the communion of nations. Bare the hidden depths of the human heart to your Law of Love. Share with us the rarest delicacies of your banquet table! Let the world see the splendor of your divine Wisdom!

     LORD OF Lords, may your commands make me strong in the law which your love perfects. May your Spirit counsel me in your truth, may the yoke of your love harness my pride. Guide your law to its fulfillment in my heart! With the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor to you Father, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 


[cf. Ordinary Time Week 6 Year A] 

 

 

© Richard E. Barker 2007