Prayer of Catherine of Sienna
 
In your nature, eternal Godhead,
I shall come to know my nature.
And what is my nature, boundless love?
It is fire,
because you are nothing but a fire of love.
And you have given humankind
a share in this nature,
for by the fire of love you created us.
And so with all other people
and every created thing;
you made them out of love.
O ungrateful people!
What nature has your God given you?
His very own nature!
Are you not ashamed to cut yourself off from such a noble thing
through the guilt of deadly sin?
O eternal Trinity, my sweet love!
You, light, give us light.
You, wisdom, give us wisdom.
You, supreme strength, strengthen us.
Today, eternal God,
let our cloud be dissipated
so that we may perfectly know and follow your Truth in truth,
with a free and simple heart.
God, come to our assistance!
Lord, make haste to help us!
 
Amen.

 

            God is so often portrayed in meek and mild terms, which is not incorrect. God is father, mother, creator, and love itself. God is also a source of power and strength. So often I forget that through I do believe Christians are called to live simply and peacefully there is immense power in that life. I forget the great calling that God has for my life, and the lives of all, for the meaninglessness and powerlessness of daily existence. I believe that I am called to live in the way of Jesus. Jesus wrote nothing, did not rule over any land, and fought in no battles; yet still has the power the affect people simply by the way he lived his life. How quickly I forget this mighty power shown in the example of God.

Forgive me God of so often forgetting who I am, who you are, and value of all the created things.

submitted by Kristyn Vanderland, current member of Crosspoint