I had an entirely different meditation written for Pentecost Sunday and didn’t have time to post it before church this morning… and then I came across this and decided it was the fullest expression of the indwelling Spirit I could think of… It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit would so wrap me in Her wisdom, gifting and power that my heart would be as Christ’s…

So I offer this for reflection and worship.

From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the desire of being honoured, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strengthen me with your Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach me your ways.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
help me put my self importance aside
to learn the kind of cooperation with others
that makes possible the presence of your Abba’s household.
Lord, have mercy on me, make my heart like yours.

original credits from the prayer book, For Jesuits, 1963, Loyola University