Daily Primer — June 21, Amsterdam — Netherlands

As we shall see, the emphasis upon God's grace, and of the Holy Spirit as the source of inward delight in righteousness and love of justice, as opposed to fearful observance of the law, comes to increased prominence in Augustine's later anti-Pelagian works, as he attempts both to defend the absolute necessity of grace and also the free operation of man's will.
The corollary of delight (delectatio) is desire or longing (desiderium) to attain fully that which delights us and inspires our love, for in this life fallen man can never reach it. Thus we find that Augustine's characteristic picture of a Christian is of someone in exile, on a pilgrimage, journeying towards the object of his love, meanwhile yearning and longing, uttering sighs and groans, his journey moved forward by love and delight in God's revelation, his unending desire serving to increase his capacity to receive what he longs for. These ideas find their best expression in Augustine's Homilies on the First Epistle of St. John which are primarily concerned with the nature of love: ‘The whole life of a good Christian is a holy desire...by longing you are made capable, so that when that comes which you may see, you will be filled...God, by deferring our hope, stretches our desire...This is our life, that by longing we should be exercised’ (4.6).

Florilegium is the Medieval Latin word for bouquet, or more literally flowers (flos, flor-) which are gathered (legere). The word florilegium was used to refer to a compilation of writings, often religious or philosophical. These florilegium are literary flowers—beautiful words/prayers/thoughts I have gathered.  During my sabbatical they will give me something to ponder each day. — PHL.

Lord for whom our hungry hearts yearn: You have taught us saying, “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.   I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”  Lead us by our hungry hearts so that we walk in your ways and  bear the fruit of your Spirit in all that we do and say in private and in public.  Amen.

As the sun flees to the west, so to bed we now retire.  
Close our eyes and take our rest — pray the Spirit to inspire;
from our active, lively labor and all busyness retreat;
come to rest within God’s favor; be at peace, our day complete.

Though the world, in tumult, rages and this life is full of cares; though the strife endures for ages, join in song we’ll sing our prayers.
God keeps vigil while we sleep; we need never fear the night.
In God’s love our rest is deep. God’s love makes the dark as light.

All God’s children God embraces, bids us come and take our rest; come to know God’s many graces, in God’s arms we know we’re blessed.
These we ask of you, O Lord, restful nights and peaceful deaths; held within your love outpoured, let us come to holy rest.