And yet, now I can be thankful for the grace to see it…for the gentle call of these last months back to a simple spirituality, one that defies elaboration. Lord, let it be. There is a wonderful prayer, the Anima Christi – a favorite of St. Ignatius, paraphrased by David Fleming, that echoes the Lord’s Prayer in simplicity and worship…I’ll share it here now, to hopefully communicate the flavor of what I’m talking about:
Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.
May your body and blood be my food and drink.
May your passion and death be my strength and life.
Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.
May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross.
Let me not run from the love which you offer,
But hold me safe from the forces of evil.
On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.
Keep calling to me until that day comes,
When, with your saints, I may praise you forever. Amen.
Fleming, D.L.(1993). Hearts on Fire: Praying with the Jesuits. Institute of Jesuit Sources: St. Louis.
Please continue to write…I can’t speak for anyone else but I enjoy reading this blog. Thanks:)
Yes, a paradoxical situation… wanting to live the simple Christian life and share with others through written word, yet finding yourself expounding on your own spiritual walk, all the while knowing you are being watched (or read). You then finding yourself vulnerable to the very human tendencies of wanting to be accepted, wanting to impress…
This must be the challenge of anyone seeking the contemplative Christian walk in the company of others …? I’m asking….
I enjoy your writing and sense your profound desire to walk with the Lord. Please continue to share.
This has become my desire more recently… a contemplative Christian walk. I find it a fulltime spritual calling. I also find when I acknowledge this need to seek Christ’s fellowship alone, I am a better husband, father, son, neighbor, employee … any fellowship other than Christ’s and it feels like it is being done under my own power, and therefore falling short of God’s best.
Peace, Michael
Michael, thanks for your comments…I’ve taken some time away from writing, and its nice to hear a shared perspective from a reader. This is a shared journey, certainly…and blogging, as public as it is, is also quite isolating…so your words are meaningful as a connection to someone else compelled to walk in relationship with God. May you find rest in His presence…which is here and now, unconditional, unrelenting compassion.