SUNDAY, May 17 Easter 6

Abide in me, Lord Jesus, that I may abide in your love. Expand me, stretch me, fill me, breathe through me, that I may admit more and more of you into myself, until no trace of not-you remains.

Until you abide in me, Lord, I remain shriveled and limp. Surround me with your love. I long for you, Lord; answer my longing. Sing through my voice; move through my hands. Make your thoughts my thoughts, your obedience my obedience, yourself myself. As you fill me, Lord, and I become who you are, I do not become less of who I am, but more truly myself, the self I am meant to be, the self I ache to be but never will be until I abide in your love. Come, Lord Jesus. I am yours--claim what is your own.

And then do with me as you will. I care not where I go, so long as I go with you; I care not what I do, so long as you do it through me; I care not what I have, for all things are yours; I care not where or how I finish my course, so long as I finish with you.

Love all for Jesus, but Jesus for himself. Jesus Christ alone is singularly to be loved. He alone is good and faithful above all others. For him and in him, let both friends and foes be dear to you. Pray for them all, that Jesus will make them to know and love him.

--Thomas à Kempis

PRAY for the Diocese of London (Canterbury, England)

Ps 98; Acts 10:44-48; 1 John 5:1-6

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.