I'm Not Dead...

You can be sure that when I am silent here for long stretches of time like this that God is doing something deep.  On these things I hope to write at some coming date.  But, in these private contemplations and conversations with Jesus, I will say that there has been both pain and joy.  Much, very much, of both.  I find that this prayer we took part in tonight in what our church calls "Contemplatives in Action" (it's a class on Christian spirituality where we study and engage with a variety of thought and practices in our Christian heritage.  Our latest series has been on the three dominant orders of monastic traditions.) reflects that.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me;
Within thy wounds hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from thee;
From the malignant enemy defend me,
And bid me come to thee,
That with thy saints I may praise thee
Forever and ever. Amen.