Lord, that I may see

Today is Quinquagesima Sunday. Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. How much easier can it get than: "Lord, that I may see"? May we strive to see Christ and His Church clearer this Lent. If we ask, we can receive.

I'm bummed out lately. My best friend(outside of my wife), is dying. He has had the big "C" for a year, had a tumor removed, thought he had recovered, only to have it come back with a vengeance. He has two more tumors, which are incurable and inoperable, and is now pretty confined to a hospital bed in his living room. Doctors have told him that this type of cancer is just 'bad luck'. I sincerely hope that he can some kind of relief in his final days, knowing that Jesus loves him, even when he suffers because it brings him closer to Christ's sufferings, which He undertook for us. Please pray for him. His name is Jim.


I would like to end with a part of the canon from yesterday. It is called, the 'Complaint to Mary', composed by a monk named Euthymius, and is used in the Greek liturgy. It sums up our thoughts and feelings about our sins, I think.

"O blessed Lady! how shall I worthily lament over my impure life, and the multitude of my grievous sins? I know not how to address thee, most chaste Virgin! I tremble with fear; but do thou help me.

I will speak of my wickedness and my hateful sins; but where shall I begin? Alas! what will become of me, a wretched sinner? Do thou, O blessed Lady, have compassion on me before my departure from this life.

I, having gone in every path that sinner ever trod, how shall I find now the way of salvation, O Immaculate Virgin? Yet have I recourse to thy goodness; despise me not for I repent from my heart.

My thoughts are ever on the hour of death, and yet an evil habit violently tempts me to sin. O most pure Virgin, do thou help me.

The deadly enemy of all that is good, seeing me poor and naked, without patron or protector, and most destitute of heavenly virtue, rushes forward that he may devour me. O bless Lady! forbid him, and drive him far from me.

Alas, unhappy man! in the arrogance of my soul, I have defiled the image of God that was in me. Whither shall I now turn? Hasten to my assistance, O Virgin ever holy!

The choirs and hosts of Angels, the heavenly Powers, tremble in the presence of thy all-powerful Son, O Immaculate Mother! and I, who have nothing wherein to hope, am so devoid of fear!

Suffer me not, O blessed Lady! to perish in the pit of my sins, into which I have fallen. The cruel enemy sees me struggling in despair, and mocks me. Do thou stretch forth thy hand, that can so well deliver me.

Awful is the judgment of God, unhappy senseless soul! and everlasting is the punishment. But turn thee, whilst yet there is time, and prostrate in prayer before the Mother of thy Judge and Lord. Why wouldst thou despair?

O Immaculate Virgin! the multitude of my grievous sins has set a thick darkness around me; the eyes of my soul, and my understanding, are blinded. Wherefore, I beseech thee, quickly lead me, by the brightness of thy light, to sweet freedom from my passions.

Grant me an unceasing sorrow, O blessed Lady, and a fount of tears, that I may wash away my countless sins and wounds, and gain eternal life.

Lo! I thy servant, most sinless Virgin! approach thee in deep reverence and love, for I know the power of thy prayer. Great, indeed, with her Son, is the power of the Mother's prayer, and His heart is moved when she asks, O most blessed Mother!

O Mother worthy of the whole world's praise! thy Son will be to me a merciful and compassionate Judge. Despise me not, but let me find favour in His sight, that He may set me on the right hand of His most just tribunal; for in thee have I put my trust."