Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God, to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch St. Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity. - Prayer of Pius X

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A "Psalm" of Lament

A recent assignment in my Psalms class was to write a prayer in the style of a Psalm. This is what I came up with.


A Psalm of Luke, lamenting the derision of the poor.


Lord, you are the God of mercy;

Enact justice for your poor.


How long, O Lord?

How long will your people despise your poor?

A wicked man spits on the traveler

And your people ignore the beggar

They despise the desperate drunk

And fear the frenzied madman.


Your poor trod the thoroughfares,

looking for sanctuary to lay their head,

seeking a place to rest their feet,

but they find no respite and are turned out to the streets.

They pitch their tents among your trees

but the wicked slash or burn them.

They sit in the public places

but are told to move along.


The streets cry out in weariness;

The sidewalks scream in anger.

Is there no place for your poor O Lord?

Must they wander forever?


Soften the hearts of the people O Lord

Open them to your call for kindness

Throw open the doors of their homes

Put their stoves to work making soup

Make their living rooms a place of refuge

Drive them to know and share your hospitality.


Lord, you are the God of mercy;

Enact justice for your poor.


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