Some things just make more sense than others... Take religion for example. I can't understand why I believe in what I believe in... but there are so many willing to die for their faith... What do they see that I don't see? What do they understand that I can't grasp? Over a span of 2000 years, Christ's name has been, and still may be the single most powerful driving force in this world... Great men and women have offered the one thing they actually own for God... they have sacrificed their life. Whether in form of live-long devotion, or by sacrificing their lives for Christ or for others, in the light of Christ.
The Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Although the prayer is not actually attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, it does in a way put into writing everything that St. Francis believed in... "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace" The prayer is began by giving yourself wholeheartedly to God... You give up the one thing you value most: your life, so that you may serve as a servant of God's will to others... "grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; " He is willing to take the harshness, the criticism, the pains, the pseudo slings and arrows of being God's chosen, so that he may cease to criticize, but rather understand. So that he would heal wounds, although he himself is wounded. He wants to love unconditionally, as God loves... All this, so that he can show gratitude to God... Modern Logic would call it insane... I find it sort of romantic in a sense... even transcendent.
Prayer for Generosity
by St. Ignatius of Loyola
Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.
It is in a way Illogical (in a modern sense) to lift oneself up to a creator... The conservatives would say that people do this because they want to save their souls from hell. So, is it just fear of damnation that leads Christians to do "God's will?" That's sort of selfish... but This certain prayer, by everyone's favorite St. Ignatius, shows how much he was willing to give, or how much he was willing to learn, from God... and it's not because he's afraid of hell, but rather because... he wants to do God's will... "to labor and not to seek reward, except that of knowing that I do your will." This is a true offering of one's self... no sense... no reward... although Psychologically man ALWAYS needs a reward... He isn't trying to buy his way into heaven... he just wants to be selfless... thats just weird...
Domine Iesu, Noverim me (Lord Jesus, Let Me Know Myself)
Written by St. Augustine; (354-430)
Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know Thee,
And desire nothing save only Thee.
Let me hate myself and love Thee.
Let me do everything for the sake of Thee.
Let me humble myself and exalt Thee.
Let me think of nothing except Thee.
Let me die to myself and live in Thee.
Let me accept whatever happens as from Thee.
Let me banish self and follow Thee,
And ever desire to follow Thee.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in Thee,
That I may deserve to be defended by Thee.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee,
And let me be among those who are chosen by Thee.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in Thee.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of Thee.
Let me cling to nothing save only to Thee,
And let me be poor because of Thee.
Look upon me, that I may love Thee.
Call me that I may see Thee,
And for ever enjoy Thee.
Amen.
"Look upon me, that I may love Thee. Call me that I may see Thee, And for ever enjoy Thee." Magical, how even the "wisest of the holy, and the holiest of the wise" (saying he is a wise man) would give so much up, because he read 1 passage... He gave his life up, and found meaning in a mysterious being... It's like falling in love with a UFO... except, these saints gave up literally everything... so that they may love others. Now here's the choice... do I follow blindly now, so that I may have a chance to see later, or am I too unsure to continue? Discernment's over... I have to decide someday... how about you guys... what do you guys choose to believe in?
