Thee, Thou, Thy, Thine

I often post prayers here that I hope will help lift one’s heart and soul to God.  Some of these prayers are older prayers and their wording may sometimes seem a little archaic, such as using the words Thee, Thou, Thy, Thine, and other phrases not found in today’s ordinary speech and writings.  I could easily plug in more current, common use language, however, I choose not to.

For me, these less often used words are a catalyst to reverence.  For me, these words elevate certain prayers from ordinary to holy.  They express an extraordinary adoration of the supreme being, the God of the universe, Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of Life, the Alpha and the Omega.

Thee, Thou, Thy, Thine serve as a trigger in my mind that sets the tone of the prayer.  These words separate me, an earthly being, from the King of Kings, a heavenly being.  You may view this as just a strange quirk.  After all, substituting the word You or Yours, instead, would not change the meaning of a prayer, nor make it any less reverent.  You would be completely correct, and you are welcome to do so.  However, for me, I prefer the use of such archaic language to help lift my own heart and soul to God.

Here is a favorite of mine…

The
Anima
Christi

The Anima Christi is a prayer from around the 14th century. It is still widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord,
Jesus Christ in Holy Communion
.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, 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 malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints

and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/anima2.htm#ixzz1tIR5B0q7

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A Good Father

St Peter's Basilica Statuary, taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

St Peter’s Basilica Statuary, taken by Martha Wiggins, 2011

 “He was in the world, and through Him the world was made, yet the world did not know who He was.  To his own He came, yet his own did not accept Him.  Any who did accept Him he empowered to become children of God.”  John 1:10-12

     Sometimes we become soul weary.  Sometimes we have just had enough!  We are finished; we cannot take anymore.  We just want to be left alone by the world, our job, our enemies, our spouse, and even our well-meaning friends.  When we finally run everyone off, when we are finally alone, we find it is not what we want at all.  We really just want someone to understand us.  We want someone to know what we are going through.  We want someone to be there with and for us.  Where do we go at times like these?  To whom do we run?

The answer may seem obvious.  You already know I am going to say we should take it to God, and I am.  However, I am also going to lure you there!  What is in for you?  Why should you take your tiredness, your disgust, your hurt, your doubt, your desire to give up, and lay it at the foot of The Cross?  Yes, He saved you from sin, but why would He care about you outside of sin?

The one answer I love the most, is the fact that He is your Father.  Forget, for a moment, that He created you, in His image and likeness by the way.  Forget that He saved you from your sins, and is waiting to welcome you into Everlasting Life.  Forget, for a moment, that He is a part of you, that He is in you.  Focus only on the fact that He is your Father.

A good Father cares deeply about His child.  He wants to see His child happy and fulfilled.  He wants His child to feel His love.  A good Father will nurture His child with kindness, and protect His child at all costs, even lay down His Life.  A good Father can do these things only when He knows His child intimately, and only when He knows His child’s needs.  A good Father knows every child is unique, and every child’s needs are singular to that child.  A good Father is the one person to whom a child can come to feel unconditionally loved; the one place a child can lay down and rest; can let down its guard, and trust.

So, it is to Our Father in Heaven we need to run to be restored, to find rest for our soul.  We need to lay everything at the foot of The Cross.  We need to spend time in His presence, so He can know our individual needs and nurture us with His love and protection.  In my “Journey Through The Stillness”, July 19, 2010, I hear Him say, “Lean on Me, Martha.  I am your strength.  Strength does not come from you.  You cannot make or will yourself strong.  It comes from this time apart with Me.  Everything that you are comes from being apart with Me.  I grant you the strength you need.  I infuse you with Me, and you become strong; physically, mentally, spiritually.  I am Almighty, All-Powerful.”

When your soul is weary, and much in need of rest, run to Him, not from Him.  You cannot make yourself strong.  Lay down at His feet.  He is your Father, and He is a good Father.  Trust in Him to make you strong again.  Trust in Him to make you whole again.

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Affirmation Vessel Of Love

Colosseum, Rome

Colosseum, Rome, Italy, 2011, taken by Martha Wiggins

“Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel”  Proverbs 25:4

Definition of affirmation from Journey Through The Stillness: “Affirmations are to make one pause and think; to pull one from the clutches of temptation; to bring one into the grace of the moment; to help one to be conscious of failings and to grow in desire to do good.”  (May 8, 2010)

Affirmation from March 24, 2010:  You are to be the Vessel of Love that draws them in, and the Beacon of Light that directs them to Me.

     A vessel is a container.  Imagine being a container brimming with love.  That is what God created us to be, vessels of love.

Wondrous things happen in our lives and the lives of others when we allow Jesus to use us, when we channel Him to others.  It is not always easy to remove self from the equation, to empty ourselves out in order that He can fill us with His Love and Light.  In fact, it takes work!  But as stated in the Proverbs verse above, when the dross or rubbish is removed, a vessel can be formed.

Today, remember how greatly loved you are by Jesus, and then share that love with those around you. They will recognize Him in you, and you will become that beacon of Light pointing the way for others to find Him.  You will find your own vessel filled to the brim, your cup will runneth over!

 

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To See Myself

579719_557530650931687_275824167_n[1]During my morning prayers I was led to write the following…

I need only to look at You on the Cross, Lord, to see myself.  Every bruise, every stripe, every wound, every drop of blood is because of me.  I need only look at you, Lord, on the Cross to see myself, wretched sinner that I am.

I need only to look upon your Risen Glory, Lord, to see myself.  Every ray of light from You shines forth and sheds your forgiving grace upon me.  I need only to look upon your Risen Glory, Lord, to see myself,  joyful redeemed child of God that I am.

I need only to look upon your Holy Face, Lord, to see myself.  Every reflected image in the mirror of your eye is a likeness of me.  I need only to look upon your Holy Face, Lord, to see myself, miracle created in your own image and likeness that I am.

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Living in Constant Prayer

Bernini's Holy Spirit at Saint Peter's Basilica

Bernini’s Holy Spirit at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, 2011

“Teach me the way I should go,  for to you I lift up my soul.”  Psalm 143:8

Living in constant prayer sounds like a figure of speech, an unattainable goal, a myth, even a luxury.  But, is it?  Spending time in daily prayer and stillness before Our Lord is a must for survival in this world.  It is our link to the other world God has so lovingly prepared for us.  Heaven patiently awaits each and every one of  us.  We live and wait in our orbital path until the day He calls us to Him.  He is at the center of our orbit; He is our goal.

Spending time in prayer with Him is like taking a vacation, a trip to visit where we will someday retire.  In stillness before Him, we listen to His wishes for our journey, we discover our itinerary and learn what He needs us to do before we can actually retire!  Reading in and studying in His word is like reading the road map for our trip; it tells how to get there.  Just like on a real trip, we must stop periodically to consult the road map.  We must make sure we are on the right road.

Most of us don’t have the luxury of spending great amounts of time on our knees in prayer.  We have jobs and family responsibilities that pull us out into this world even though we might wish to remain in the ‘other’ world.  While we may not be to able to remain kneeling in prayer, we can live in prayer.  When we offer up all that we are, think, do and say to Our Lord, our thoughts and actions become linked to Him in a way that is very pleasing to Him.  We remain in constant prayer!  Most of us envision Saints as holy people who lived in prayer.  Yes, they did, but the key word is live.  They went about their daily tasks and lives as they offered all up to God, remaining constantly in His Sight, and thereby His Grace.

Being Holy is something each one of us is called to, and is something each one of us is capable of achieving in our own everyday, normal life routines.  None of us start out as Saints!  We must train our minds to live and work in constant prayer.   It is good to say a prayer at the very start of each day offering up all of the day’s prayers, works, joys, sacrifices and sufferings.  I also include, “Lord, I offer up to you all that I am, and all that I am not, for I know your Holy Spirit will see where I am lacking and make it complete in your Sight.”  Throughout the day, especially when feeling stressed or inadequate, we can call to mind our offering.  We recommit knowing  He will always take our efforts and bless them, making us Holy in His Sight.  May God bless each and every one of us as we strive to be Holy, to live in constant prayer.

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Lord, You Are Most High

Vatican roof tops, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012

Vatican roof tops, taken by Martha McDuff Wiggins, 2012

Lord, You are Most High.

Forgive me, Lord, when my ideals are rooted in this world, rooted in fools’ gold rather than crucible gold.

Thank you, Lord, for seeking ever to elevate me to higher ideals, Yours.  Thank you for never leaving me in the crucible one second more than is necessary to remove the dross, or fool’s gold from my character.

Some of us spend so much time chasing after the things this world has to offer, that we fail to see beyond to what is waiting for us in the next.  When you seem to keep repeating the same mistakes and needing to learn the same lesson over and over again, remember, He is preparing us for His world.

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Let Us Pray…

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

Let us pray,

Oh most merciful, loving Savior, by your death and Resurrection we are saved.  By your death and Resurrection we are born into Eternal Life.

Because of the stain of original sin we are not worthy to receive You under our roof.  Help us to bring our sinfulness and lay it at the foot of your Cross.  Make us whole, make us worthy to stand beside all the angels and saints in heaven singing your praises and exulting your most Holy Name.

Bring us home, Oh Lord, we pray, that we might share in the grace of Life Eternal forever and ever.  Amen.

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Prayer: You Own Me

Bernini's Holy Spirit at Saint Peter's Basilica

Bernini’s Holy Spirit at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, 2011

Prayer:  “You own me, My God; mind, body, and soul.  I am Thine, and it is Thine I wish to be.  I beg of You, Lord, make my heart like unto Thine, and then, do with me as Thou wilt.  For Thou art The Way, The Truth, and The Life, and Thine is The Kingdom and The Glory forever.  Amen.”  (August 6, 2010 – Journey Through The Stillness, written by Martha Wiggins)

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Send Your Spirit, Lord

Bernini's Holy Spirit at Saint Peter's Basilica

Bernini’s Holy Spirit at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, 2011

“Most Holy Lord and God, I am made humble before Thee.  Send your Spirit upon me that I may speak your words and lead all souls to You.  Guardian Angel, serve to protect this lowly servant from the evils that would prevail.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph, make me worthy, as you each are, to fulfill the will of God.  And Jesus, grant that my Heart be like unto Thine; that through me your love and mercy may reign over all the earth, nations and souls, forever.  Amen.”  (March 21, 2010 – Journey Through The Stillness, written by Martha Wiggins)

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Adult Or Child?

Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy, 2012

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’  ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.  ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’  they drew back and fell to the ground.”  John 18:4-6

Has it been a long time since you actually spent time reading in The Bible?  Maybe some have not picked up a Bible since childhood, or Sunday Bible School.  Some may have memorized verses as a child, but haven’t read them in context as an adult.  If it has been a long time pick up your Bible and read.  Your understanding as an adult is quite different than as a child.

As a child, I might have read the above quote and laughed at the idea of all the soldiers falling to the ground when Jesus spoke.  As an adult, I have a much different reaction.  As an adult I can read between the lines.  As an adult I don’t view it as humor, but as proof.

This quote deepens my understanding of exactly what is taking place at Jesus’ arrest.  First, Jesus has full knowledge of all that has happened to make His arrest possible.  He knows that Judas is His betrayer and has done so.  Second, He has full knowledge of all that is going to happen and still meets His destiny head on.  He goes out to His captors and asks them who it is they seek.

The third, and most telling part, is that when Jesus speaks, the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground.  In this instant Jesus is showing His power, letting all know, that without His consent, they would have no power over Him.  He is arrested voluntarily.

A child might not fully grasp these implications, but as an adult, we are fully capable of understanding all that they mean.  We have no excuse.

Imagine a love so real, so strong, so merciful and forgiving, that one would choose a destiny of torture and crucifixion.  And yet, that is exactly what Jesus did.  He did it for me.  He did it for you. 

Now imagine His Agony In The Garden, knowing full well exactly what was to happen to Him; knowing every vile, torturous act that would befall Him on our behalf.  He consented by telling God, The Father, “Not my will, but yours be done.”  Then He went out to meet His destiny.  Our own destiny lies within His.

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