Brokenness
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not turn away. Psalm 51:17
The soul, harassed with sin and toil, finds repose only in humility. Humility is its sole refreshment amid so many evils … Mortification is indeed intolerable to the proud and hard of heart, but a consolation to the one who loves only what is meek and lowly.
Rule of Columbanus
I read and write. I worship my God every day and every night.
I study the Scriptures, puzzling over their meaning, I write books for the guidance of others.
I eat little, and sleep little. When I eat I continue praying, and when I sleep my snores are songs of praise.
Yet I weep for my sins, because I cannot forget them. O Mary, O Christ, have mercy on this wretched soul.
A scribe in a Celtic monastery
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do great things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of people;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
An unknown American soldier
Spirit of the living God
fall afresh on me
Break me, melt me
mould me, fill me
Spirit of the living God
fall afresh on me
Daniel Iverson