To walk amid passing things

Today's concluding prayer struck me. It's beautiful in phrasing and in the image it paints in the mind.

May these mysteries, O Lord,
in which we have participated,
profit us, we pray,
for even now, as we walk amid passing things,
you teach us by them to love the things of heaven
and hold fast to what endures.

(Compare that with the old version, by the way:
Father,
may our communion
teach us to love heaven.
May its promise and hope
guide our way on earth.)

The accidents (the external, physical features) of the Eucharist are both so perishable, so mundane - yet what we love is no longer bread and wine but Christ, our Lord, our eternal joy.

Fr Joseph at Holy Cross said a couple of beautiful things at today's homily which was based on a favourite Gospel passage - the faith of the centurion who wanted his servant healed. Father told us that a possible theme for this season and even this year could be taken from the words of the centurion. 'Only say the word'. Just give me your orders Lord. Tell me to come, and I will come; to go and I will go.

We should pray for such docility to our Lord's wishes!

Father ended by telling us to be determined to give Jesus everything he wants this Christmas; and what he wants is the gift of our hearts.

So yes, Baby Jesus, I'd like to give this heart of mine to you, to do as you please. :)