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From "Prayers of Life" by Michel Quoist. © Copyright 1963
Lives that are effective are not always those that
attract attention. They are never those of the proud who storm
against obstacles which cannot be removed. Lives lived humbly,
under the eyes of God, illumined by his grace and radiant with
love for others, are always effective.
Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never
boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, nor quick to
take offence. Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over
other men’s sins, but delights in the truth. There is nothing
love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and
its endurance. (I Cor. 13, 4-7)
Lord, I saw the sea attacking the rocks, somber and raging.
From afar the waves gained momentum.
High and proud, they leapt, jostling one another to be the first
to strike.
When the white foam drew back, leaving the rock clear, they
gathered themselves to rush forward again.
The other day I saw the sea, calm and serene.
The waves came from afar, creeping, not to draw attention.
Quietly holding hands, they slipped noiselessly and stretched at
full length on the sand, to touch the shore with the tips of their
beautiful, soft fingers.
The sun gently caressed them, and they generously returned
streams of light.
Lord, grant that I may avoid useless quarrels that tire and
wound without achieving results.
Keep me from these angry outbursts that draw attention but leave
one uselessly weakened.
Keep me from wanting always to outstrip others in my conceit,
crushing those in my way.
Wipe from my face the look of dark, dominating anger.
Rather, Lord, grant that I may live my days calmly and fully, as
the sea slowly covers the whole shore.
Make me humble like the sea, as, silently and gently, it spreads
out, unnoticed.
May I wait for my brothers and match my pace to theirs, that I
may move upward with them.
Grant me the triumphant perseverance of the waters.
May each of my retreats turn into an advance.
Give my face the light of clear waters.
Give my soul the whiteness of foam.
Illumine my life that it may sing like sunbeams on the surface
of the sea.
But above all, Lord, may I not keep this light for myself, and
may all those who come near me return home eager to bathe in your
eternal grace.
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