When We See Dark Gray Clouds Forming in The Sky

When we see dark gray clouds forming in the sky, we fear a mighty storm. In the same way when we see the darkness of our sin, we fear the storm of your wrath. But just as in truth rain brings new life to the earth, so you rain down mercy on our sinful souls, bringing forgiveness and peace. Be to us always like a mighty storm, raining down upon us the abundant waters of your mercy.



Gilbert of Hoyland (d. c. 1170)

Jesus, How Sweet is The Very Thought of You!

Jesus, how sweet is the very thought of you! You fill my heart with joy. The sweetness of your love surpasses the sweetness of honey. Nothing sweeter than you can be described; no words can express the joy of your love. Only those who have tasted your love for themselves can comprehend it. In your love you listen to all my prayers, even when my wishes are childish, my words confused, and my thoughts foolish. And you answer my prayers, not according to my own misdirected desires, which would bring only bitter misery; but according to my real needs, which brings me sweet joy. Thank you, Jesus, for giving yourself to me.



Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

I Will Love You, O Lord My Strength, My Stony Rock and My Defense

The prayers for the rest of this week and the next come from the tradition of monastic spirituality. The great monasteries grew up in this period as beacons of Christian culture in the darkness of paganism; they provided the only hospitality for travelers, the only medical treatment and rest for the sick, a center for trade and an example of good agricultural practice. And because they followed the Benedictine spirituality, all this was done in the context of a routine of daily prayer.

I will love you, O Lord my strength, my stony rock and my defense, my savior, my one desire and love. My God, my helper, I will love you with all the power you have given me; not as much as you deserve to be loved, for that can never be, but as much as I am able to. Whatever I do, I never can discharge my debt to you, and I can love you only according to the power that you have given me. The more power to love you give me, the more I will love you; yet never, never, can I love you as much as you should be loved.



Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

From On the Love of God