Daily Primer — June 7, Santorini — Greece

You must therefore conceal from the patient the true end of humility.  Let him think of it not as self-forgetfulness but as a certain kind of opinion (namely, a low opinion) of his own talents and character.  Some talents, I gather he really has.  Fix in his mind the idea that humility consists in trying to believe those talents to be less valuable than he believes them to be.  No doubt they are in fact less valuable than he believes, but that is not the point.  The great thing is to make him value an opinion for some quality other than truth, thus introducing an element of dishonesty and make-believe into the heart of what otherwise threatens to become a virtue.

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.

Shepherding Lord: you lead us in paths that are good for us.  We recall your leading from enslavement in Pharaoh’s brickyards to the good life of your promised land.  We remember your leading along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and to Jerusalem.  Give us who follow in your way the courage we need to leave behind all of the commitments which seek to entangle us in sin — that we might be faithful and winsome witnesses for you in a lost world.  We ask it in the name of the one who is the way, the truth and the life, Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Into your hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye,
and hide me beneath the shadow of your wings.

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord,
and in your great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.