Augustine Revisited

Deus, in adjutorium meum intende. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.

   Having covered St. Augustine, who lived way back in the fifth century, a couple of times, I really don't intend to go over old information. His feast day was celebrated yesterday, August 28, and I thought I would just put down at least one prayer of his that shows his deep understanding of our human nature; especially since he knew first hand the failings that we have. I usually say this prayer after Holy Communion. We creatures are never worthy of the Lord, no matter how hard we try to attain true worthiness. He created us, He loves us in spite of ourselves, and He wants to share Himself with us, even in our imperfections - trying to bring us to perfection at last.

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Before Thine eyes, O Lord, we bring our sins, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
   If we examine the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little, what we deserve is great.
   What we have committed is very grievous, what we have suffered is very slight.
   We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
   Under Thy lash our inconstancey is visited, but our sinfuless is not changed.
   Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
   Our life groans under out of nothing those who ask Thee. Through Christ our Lord, Ame.sorrow, yet amends not in deed.
   If Thou spare us, we correct not our ways; if Thou punish, we cannot endure it.
   In time of correction we confess our wrongdonig; after Thy visitation we forget that we have wept.
   If Thou stretchest forth Thy hand, we promise amendment; if Thou withholdest thy sword, we keep not our promise.
   If Thou strikest, we cry out for mercy; if Thou sparest, we again provoke Thee to strike.
   Here we are before Thee, O Lord, confessedly guilty; we know thaat unless Thou pardon we shall deserverdly perish.
   Grant then, O almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask; thou Who madest
out of nothing those who ask Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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There is another prayer that I like by St. Augustine. Actually it is a series of Petitions to Jesus Christ.

   O Lord Jesus, let me know myself, let me know Thee,
   And desire nothing else but Thee.
   Let me hate myself and love Thee,
   And do all things for the sake of Thee.
   Let me humble myslef, and exalt Thee,
   And think of nothing else but Thee.
   Let me die to myself, and live in Thee,
   And accept whatever happens as coming from Thee.
   Let me forsake myself and walk after Thee,
   And ever desire to follow Thee.
   Let me flee from myself, and turn to Thee,
   That so I may deserve to be defended by Thee.  
   Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee,
   And be amongst those who are chosen by Thee.
   Let me distrust myself, and trust in Thee,
   And will to obey for the love of Thee.
   Let me cleave to nothing but only to Thee,
   And be poor for the sake of Thee,
   Look upon me, that I may love Thee.
   Call me, that I may see Thee.
   And for ever possess Thee. Amen.

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