translated :: The Canticle of Brother Sun

[Fr[ater] Fra[n]ciscu[s] (S. Benedetto/Subiaco, ca. 1224)]

by Francis of Assisi
Most high, all-powerful, good Lord,
yours are the praises, glory, honor and every blessing,
to you alone are they to be referred,
and no human is worthy to name you.

Be praised, Lord my God, because of all your creatures,
and especially on account of honorable brother Sun,
who makes the day and illumines us by night;
he is handsome and radiant and of great splendor,
and he bears your seal, Lord.

My Lord be praised on account of sister Moon and the stars,
whom he created clear and beautiful in the sky.

My Lord be praised because of brother Wind,
air, cloud, serenity and on account of all the seasons,
through which he serves food for all creatures.

My Lord be praised on account of sister Water,
who is very useful, humble, precious and pure.

My Lord be praised because of brother Fire,
he shines through any night;
he is roseate, golden, invincible and ardent.

My Lord be praised on account of our mother Earth,
who sustains and nourishes us
and produces various fruits
and flowers and herbs of many colors.

Be praised, my Lord, because of those, who for your love have forgiven offenses,
and have patiently sustained tribulation and infirmity.
They are happy, who endure in peace,
for they will receive a crown from you, O most high.

Be praised, my Lord, on account of our sister Death,
whom no one living can evade.

Woe to them, who die in mortal sin!
They are happy, who in the hour of their death find themselves
conformed to your most holy will,
for the second death will not harm them.

Praise and bless my Lord, gratify
and serve Him, all creatures, with great humility!

::In the year of our Lord 1223::

Latin text from BIBLIOTHECA AUGUSTANA.

Excerpt from "Four Word Letter (pt. 2)"

by mewithoutYou

"We hunger, but though all that we eat brings us little relief we don't know quite what else to do,

We have all our beliefs but we don't want our beliefs,

God of peace, we want you."

amen.

Psalm 131

I have recently been intrigued by the 131st Psalm. I have prayed it, sung it, and am seeking to find myself at one with its author in heart:

My heart is not proud, Lord; my eyes are not haughty.
I do not concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother.
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forever more.

::Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit - as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be unto ages of ages. Amen.::

How is a still soul like a weaned child with its mother? What is the meaning of this simile?

What thinkest thou? Please do comment.

Love and Peace,
Scott

Pithy thought by Yours, truly

"Let the noise calm our souls - to death."

[If you wish, freely consider me arrogant for self-ascribed pithiness.]

My love to all you fellow humans, and peace from God on high.