Psalm 131
Yahweh, my heart is not haughty, I do not set my sights too high.
I have taken no part in great affairs, in wonders beyond my scope.
No, I hold myself in quiet and silence, like a little child in its mother’s arms,
like a little child, so I keep myself.
Let Israel hope in Yahweh henceforth and forever.
Jesuit novices all make the 30-day (more or less) Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. It was with this short psalm that I began my “Long Retreat” way back in 1974 in Dublin. I found it the Psalm so helpful and consoling that I have begun every retreat with it ever since and I often turn to it when I’m about to embark on something new. So here today, as I begin to blog, it seemed appropriate that I start with something from the Scriptures that is especially meaningful.
There is also a traditional Jesuit prayer that I love and which I can’t resist adding. It’s in Michael Harter’s wonderful book, Hearts on Fire:
O Spirit of God, we ask you to help orient
all our actions by your inspirations,
carry them on by your gracious assistance,
that every prayer and work of ours
may always begin from you
and through you be happily ended.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Sister Julie 11.03.08 at 10:57 pm
A beautiful way to start this blogging endeavor. Blessings, Paul.
Paul 11.04.08 at 10:13 am
Sr. Julie, I am so happy that you are the first person to send in a comment. Your blog, A Nun’s Life, is such a wonderful example of what a great blog can be. Paul
Tom James 11.04.08 at 10:55 am
thank you for sharing that wonderful Ignatian prayer, “O Spirit of God…” I found it quite moving to think that God orients my actions by divine inspiration. I’m learning to recognize those moments of inspiration and they draw me inexorably to the source–God’s very self. Thanks and I look forward to reading more.
Paul 11.05.08 at 8:29 am
Tom,
Thank you for being one of the first people to leave a comment! I’m glad that you liked the prayer and promise you that “Hearts on Fire” has many more prayers of the same caliber.