I come to your feet, most loving Father; behold my sins have made a separation between you and me. Ah! Have mercy on me according to the multitude of your mercy! Break the wall of my old way of life which keeps me from you; and drag me to you so vehemently that I may, in the gentleness of your inextinguishable cherishing-love, wisely follow you by loving.
Lovingly-kind Jesus, although the will to do what is good is in me, I do not find the strength to accomplish it. Therefore, by the co-operation of your grace and through the spotless law of your love, turn my soul from the frailty of the human condition toward you in such a way that I may untiringly run the way of your commandments and cling inseparably to you. Be with me, my Lord, aiding me always and making me strong in the work that I have taken up for the love of your love.
from Gertrude of Helfta’s The Spiritual Exercises, IV (CF 49, p.67)
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