Day 16

Who is that coming up from the wilderness,
   leaning upon her beloved? 
Under the apple tree I awakened you.
There your mother was in labour with you;
   there she who bore you was in labour. 
 Set me as a seal upon your heart,
   as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
   passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
   a raging flame. 
 Many waters cannot quench love,
   neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love
   all the wealth of one’s house,
   it would be utterly scorned.

Prayer For The Attainment Of Heaven, by St. Thomas Aquinas (+1274)

O God of all consolation,
you who see in us nothing
but your own gifts,
I entreat you
to give me, at the close of this life,
knowledge
of the First Truth,
and enjoyment of your divine majesty.

Most generous Rewarder,
give to my body also
the beauty of lightsomeness,
responsiveness of
flesh to spirit,
a quick readiness and delicacy,
and the gift of
unconquerable strength.

And add to these

an overflow of riches,
a spate of delights,
a confluence of all good things,

so that I may rejoice

in your consolation
above me,
in a place of loveliness
below me,
in the glorification of body and soul
within me,
in the delight of friends and angels
all around me.

Most merciful Father,
being with you
may my mind
attain the enlightenment of wisdom,
my desire,
the fulfillment of its longing,
my courage
the praise of triumph.

For where you are
is avoidance of all danger,
plenitude of dwelling places,
harmony of wills.

Where you are is
the pleasantness of spring,
the radiance of summer,
the fecundity of autumn,
and the repose of winter.

Give, Lord God,

life without death,
joy without sorrow,

that place where reigns

sovereign freedom,
free security,
secure tranquility,

delightful happiness,
happy eternity,
eternal blessedness,

the vision of truth
and praise, O God.

Amen.

Musical Selection (John Michael Talbot)

Prayer

God of faithfulness,

in your wisdom you have called your servants out of this world;

release them from the bonds of sin,

and welcome them into your presence,

so that they may enjoy eternal light and peace

and be raised up in glory with all your saints.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever. Amen.