GOD WILL LOVE HIS CREATION

“God forbid that He should abandon to everlasting destruction
the labor of His own hands,
the care of His own thoughts,
the receptacle of His own Spirit,
the queen of His creation,
the inheritor of His freedom,
the priestess of His religion,
the champion of His testimony,
the sister of His Christ! ...
Now as He requires from us love to our neighbor,
after love of Himself,
so He will do what He has commanded.
He will love the flesh [mankind] which is His neighbor.
He will love it, though it is infirm,
since His ‘strength is made perfect in weakness.’
He will love it, though it is disordered,
since ‘those who are whole do not need a physician, but those who are sick.’
He will love it, though it is dishonorable,
since ‘we bestow more abundant honor on the less honorable members.’
He will love it, though it is ruined,
since He says, ‘I am come to save that which was lost.’
He will love it, though it is sinful,
since He says, ‘I desire the salvation of the sinner.’
He will love it, though it is condemned,
for He says ‘I shall wound and also heal.’
-Tertullian”
Tuesday – Easter 3
TREASURY OF DAILY PRAYER – 2008 - CPH


A PRAYER –
Bless all your people, the flocks of your fold.
Send down into our hearts the peace of heaven,
and grant us also the peace of this life.
Give life to the souls of all of us,
and let no deadly sin prevail against us, or any of your people.
Deliver all who are in trouble,
for you are our God,
who sets the captives free;
who gives hope to the hopeless,
and help to the helpless;
who lifts up the fallen;
and who is the haven of the shipwrecked.
Give your pity, pardon, and refreshment
to every Christian soul,
whether in affliction or error.
Preserve us, in our pilgrimage through this life,
from hurt and danger,
and grant that we may end our lives as Christians,
well-pleasing to you, and free from sin,
and that we may have our portion and lot
with all your saints;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Liturgy of St. Mark, 2nd-5th centuries
Prayers Across The Centuries – 1993 Harold Shaw Publishers