V. Let us bless the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. COMPLIN. V. Our help is in the name of the Lord, V. Convert us, O God, our Saviour! Ant. All is unquiet here, till we go to thee, and repose at last in the kingdom of peace. Psalm XI. WHO will give me wings like a dove, that I may fly away and be at rest? That I may fly from the troubles of this life, and be at rest, dear Lord! with thee? Here, alas! we are forced to sigh, and bear with grief the burthen of our miseries. Often we encounter chances that endanger our happiness, and retard our progress in the way to bliss. Often we are assailed by temptations that overcome us, and withdraw us from the great concerns of eternity. How many times, O my soul! have we plainly concluded that this earth affords no real joy! How many times have we acknowledged, that heaven alone is the place of happiness! Yet do these false allurements again deceive us, and entice our hearts to the pursuit of vanity. Yet do we forget our good resolutions, and wretchedly neglect our real felicity. O thou victorious conqueror of sin and death! do thou assist us in this dangerous warfare. O thou! who art the refreshment of wearied minds, do thou comfort us in this tedious pilgrimage. Make us thirst and sigh after thee, the everflowing fountain of life-giving streams. Make us despise all other delights, and set our affections entirely on the joys of the world to come. Since nothing, O Lord, can satisfy our hearts but thee, O let them be ever immoveably fixed on thee! Glory be to the Father, &c. Psalm XII. GIVE me, O Lord! the innocence of the dove and fill my soul with thy holy spirit. I shall not then be in need of its wings, because heaven itself will dwell in my heart. 'Tis from the proud thou turnest away, but inclinest thy ear to the humble and meek, Who delight in the peace of a contented mind, and confine their thoughts to their own little sphere. Never interfering with the actions of others, unless when reason and charity require it. Their favourite employment is to sit in silence, and think upon the happiness which awaits them hereafter. To meditate upon the joys of saints and angels, and the blissful vision of the Son of God. O how securely and sweetly do they sleep, who retire at night with a quiet conscience! Who, after a day industriously spent according to the rules of piety, justice and charity, Lay down their wearied heads in peace, and safely rest in the bosom of providence. If they awake, their conscience comforts them in the dark, and bids them not to fear the shadow of death; No, nor even death itself, but confidently to look up, and long for the dawn of an eternal day. This too, my soul! should be our care, to watch, and reprove, and correct ourselves; To strive for the mastery over the passions that molest us, and dismiss from our thoughts what in no way concerns us. Are not our own occupations enough, to fill up the time which should be devoted to this life? Does not the other deserve at least every minute of leisure we can spare from this? Let then the worldly enjoy their liberty, let them say and do as they may think fit. What is it to thee, my soul! thou will not answer for others, unless thou make their faults thy own. Edify all by an example of virtue, and a strict compliance with the laws of fraternal charity. After this, whatever may be done by others, let thy course be the path of duty. Follow the way that leads to truth; follow the truth that leads to life. Follow the steps of thy divine Saviour, who alone is the way, the truth and the life. Follow his holiness in what he did, follow his patience in what he suffered. Follow him who invites thee with a thousand promises; follow him that crowns thee with infinite rewards. Follow thy faithful Lord, O my soul! to the end, and thou art sure in the end to possess him forever. Glory be to the Father, &c. Psalm XIII. MEEKNESS is indeed the heaven of this life, but the heaven of heavens, O Lord! is above with thee. |