Friday, February 12, 2010

suscipe

Take, Lord, and receive
all my liberty,
my memory,
my understanding,
and my entire will --
all that I have and call my own.
You have given it
all to me.
To you, Lord,
I return it.
Everything is yours;
do with it
what you will.
Give me only your love
and your grace.
That is enough
for me.

--Ignatius of Loyola

Wikipedia, source of all unsubstantiated information, tells me that suscipe means "receive" and that Ignatius, in the composition of his prayer, was going back to an earlier tradition of monastic profession: self-offering to God in a form to which I, too, have been called.  It is, however, a prayer for all of us.
 
Another translation words it, "All that I am and all that I possess You have given me." Not only all I have, but all I am. Not only my stuff, not only my time and my energy, but my whole being, past, present, and future.

While looking for the words of the prayer, I found this video, which I've listened to over and over. I believe I am going to make this self-offering a primary focus of prayer this Lent, using this music in my meditation. I'd like to share it with you, too. The visuals are quite poor, so close your eyes and listen, and pray with the music if you feel so called.
"Take, Lord, Receive" by Paul Melley, Performed by St Ignatius College Prep Carpe Music Ministry, November 21, 2007

All I have and all I am is yours, Lord. Give me only your love and your grace. You are enough, more than enough. You are my abundant life.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Sister,
    Someone forwarded your blog to me, and I was delighted to learn that you are using my piece in your Lenten journey.
    Are you still in Haiti? I hope you are safe. I just returned from Kenya and I am still processing that. I can't imagine your time there!

    If you are willing, I'd like to send you a copy of my CD...Would you be able to email me your address?
    Peace and all good blessings on you, your ministry and those you serve.
    In Christ,
    Paul Melley
    paul@paulmelley.com

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  2. I have come to love this prayer. I enjoyed the music too. I had only previously been familiar with the St. Louis Jesuits version of this song.

    I just recently posted a blog entry about how this prayer came into my life and I invite you to visit my blog and let me know what you think.

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  3. Thank you again, Paul! What a gift your music is.

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