Wednesday 16 October 2024

Today is Wednesday the 16th of October in the 28th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing: ‘Attende Domine’: Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against you. As you sit here and listen to this ancient chant, which has been sung for generations, pause to remind yourself that God is present here, a God of forgiveness, gracious and loving, slow to anger, abounding in goodness. Take this moment to recognise God’s presence here, and to place yourself and all your cares in God’s loving hands. Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Ad te Rex summe Omnium redemptor Oculos nostros Sublevamus flentes Exaudi Christe Supplicantum preces Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Dextera Patris Lapis angularis Via salutis Ianua caelestis Ablue nostri Maculas delicti Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Rogamus Deus Tuam majestatem Auribus sacris Gemitus exaudi Crimina nostra Placidus indulge Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Tibi fatemur Crimina admissa Contrito corde Pandimus occulta Tua Redemptor Pietas ignoscat Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Innocens captus Nec repugnans ductus Testibus falsis Pro impiis damnatus Quos redemisti Tu conserva Christe Attende Domine et miserere quia peccavimus tibi Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. To Thee, highest King, Redeemer of all, do we lift up our eyes in weeping: Hear, O Christ, the prayers of your servants. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. Right hand of the Father, corner-stone, way of salvation, gate of heaven, wash away our stains of sin. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. We beseech Thee, God, in Thy great majesty: Hear our groans with Thy holy ears: calmly forgive our crimes. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. To Thee we confess our sins admitted with a contrite heart We reveal the things hidden: By Thy kindness, O Redeemer, overlook them. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. The Innocent, seized, not refusing to be led; condemned by false witnesses because of impious men O Christ, keep safe those whom Thou hast redeemed. Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against Thee. Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Galatians 5:18-25 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Paul draws a strong contrast between the flesh and the spirit. This is not the promotion of the dualism between the human and the spiritual. He is speaking of the ‘disordered attachments’ or tendencies that St Ignatius speaks of in the Spiritual Exercises. Those default things that we cling to perhaps a little too tightly or rely on a little too quickly. What is your initial reaction to this contrast? The list of fruits of the Holy Spirit encourages simple human responses. Paul encourages us to be more deeply human through the freedom that the spirit brings. What fruits have you experienced in your life or do you most wish for? As we hear the reading once more, listen out for any 'attachment’ or tendency from which you wish to be liberated, or any gift of the Spirit that you long to receive. The Holy Spirit lives within all our hearts. Take time now to speak to God, giving voice to your deepest hopes and desires. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.