Daily Primer — May 30

The Wayfarer’s Song

Jesus!  My Companion be
On the road I take today
Through the moor or o’er the sea,
Thou, for me, be guide and stay.

Jesus, my sweet lover! place
In the heart of all I greet
Love like Thine that is a grace
To homing men or roving feet.

Up the hill-way, down the glen,
Past the forest edged with broom,
Where the shadows hide the ben,

Where the rivers deepen gloom,
Radiant, I, Thy loves man go
Free from fear and sain from foe.

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, you are the way, the truth and the life: in you I discover that the truth is a person.  May my friendship with you teach me to love others, not merely in word or speech, but in truth and action.
Lord God, on this sixth day of the week I offer my glad praise and thanksgiving for the gifts of all creatures.  On this day you created humans and declared us “very good.”  As I encounter other people on this day, remind me of the joy with which you ended your work in creating creatures imago dei.  May I daily grow to live more and more fully into your image and to conform my thoughts and my words and my actions to the mind of my Lord, Jesus.
Preserve me this day from the sin of wrath — set a guard at the door of my lips, that I might never say anything flippant, or wounding, discouraging, or unkind.  Save me in the hour when I am disposed to intemperance, and cool the fire of wrath which seeks to rise up within.    Encourage me, Lord, as I seek to be an ambassador of your reconciliation.  May the well of forgiveness pour forth abundantly in my life.  
I am mindful of your call to be not only an ambassador of reconciliation but also someone who practices the virtue of justice.  May I, today, give to everyone I encounter what I owe them — understanding that I owe no one anything, except that I love them as you do.  Today as I continue in the faith-filled journey of discipleship, may I be prepared to share the blessings of the journey with others.  
God of the Passion — who calls me to follow in the way of the cross — I praise you for your humility and obedience.  Encourage me today, that I may not shrink from the path of costly obedience but rather walk with you in faithfulness serving the world with Christ-like grace.  As I follow in your way of the cross I lift up others in prayers of supplication:

†  For those who do not know you . . .

† For those who struggle not to deny you when faith is tested . . .

† For those so enamored with the things of this world that they cannot follow you in obedience . . .

† For those so anxious about tomorrow that living selflessly today becomes impossible . . .

I give to you this day’s labors and ask that you would help me to make them fruitful in establishing your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  Help me, Lord, to complete every good thing I begin to do.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

I AM bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
    In friendship and affection.
Through Thine own Anointed One, O God,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need,
    Love towards God,
    The affection of God,
    The smile of God,
    The wisdom of God,
    The grace of God,
    The fear of God,
    And the will of God
To do on the world of the Three,
As angels and saints
Do in heaven;
    Each shade and light,
    Each day and night,
    Each time in kindness,
    Give Thou us Thy Spirit.