Thursday, February 24 : Saint Gertrude of Helfta

“O God, my God, for you I watch at daybreak” (Ps 63[62],2 Vg)… O serenest light of my soul, very brightest morning, ah, break into day in me now and begin so to shine for me that by your light I may see light” (Ps 36,9[35,10). Through you may my night be turned into day. By the love of your love, O my dearest morning, let me reckon everything that you are not as if it were nothing and void. Ah! Visit me now in the morning at daybreak that I may be suddenly transformed entirely into you… Brought to nothing in myself, let me flow into you completely so that from now on I may never be found within myself during this fleeting time but may dwell closely bound to you for all eternity… Oh when will such beauty refresh me? O Jesus, imperial Morning Star (Rv 22,16), refulgent with divine brightness, when will your presence enlighten me? O most loveable radiance, when will you satisfy me with yourself? If only I might here perceive the fine rays of your beauty for a little while… anticipate your gentleness for a short time and pleasantly taste you beforehand, my chosen portion (cf Ps 16[15],5)… You are the bright mirror of the holy Trinity that, there above, we are permitted to contemplate with the eye of a pure heart (Mt 5,8), but here only obscurely.

maronite readings – rosary,team