Reflection on a prayer of St Anselm of Canterbury

    As seminarians preparing for the priesthood, we study a great deal of philosophy.  I remember taking a two semester course on medieval philosophy using the textbook written by Frederick Copleston, a renowned Jesuit priest from England and professor of philosophy.  Much of medieval philosophy was center around philosophical proofs written to argue for the existence of God.  St Anselm of Canterbury (1033 - 1109) wrote some of these famous proofs. In a book of devotions written for the holy season of Lent, there is a prayer adapted from the Proslogion, a discourse written by St Anselm on the existence of God.  I found this prayer very helpful as a part of my Lenten journey.  Many of us Christians spend a lot of time searching for God and wanting to find him.  Yet, sometimes, we are not sure how we should seek him.  This prayer very much reflects that reality.  I have also included a short video on the life of St Anselm.  Blessings to all of you this week.  Father Lincoln 

O Lord my God,

teach my heart this day where and how to see you,

where and how to find you.

You have made me and remade me.

You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess.

Still, I do not know you.

I have not yet done that for which I was made.

Teach me to seek you,

for I cannot seek you unless you teach me,

or find you unless you show yourself to me.

Let me seek you in my desire.

Let me desire you in my seeking.

Let me find you by loving you.

Let me love you when I find you.  AMEN. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qxFeDrdA84