[Prayer 51] Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart:

Now, should I, a mortal who has strayed in every way,
plead with another earthly being,
to whom it is vain to cry out?
To a mere rational mortal, on whom it would be false to place hope of salvation?¹
To a frail human, whose strength is as feeble and
faltering as his word?
To the princes on earthly thrones,²
whose trappings are as transitory as their beings?
To a blood brother,
who likewise is needy of contentment?
To my earthly father,
whose care diminishes with his dwindling days?
To my mother, who bore me,
whose compassion waned with her retreating life?
To the kingdoms of this world, perhaps, who are always more artful in killing than giving life?
Or to you, beneficent God, glorified in the highest,
who live and give life to all and
who after death are able to work incorruptible renewal.³

B

For if we flee, it is you who come after us.
If we are weak, you give us strength.
If we falter, you set us on the right and easy path.
If we faint, you encourage us.
If we are ailing in body and soul, you heal us.
If we lie, you justify us with your truth.
If we stumble into the abyss, you direct us to heaven.
If we do not turn from our willfulness, you guide us.
If we sin, you weep.
If we are just, you smile.
If we are estranged, you mourn.
If we approach, you celebrate.
If we give, you receive.
If we become stubborn, you are patient.
If we are ungrateful, you grant abundantly.
If we quit, you are sad.
If we are brave, you rejoice.

C

The blessed and wonderful Psalm One Hundred Three⁴
comforts my failing heart,
and heralds the good news of the hope of life.
It is an assurance of salvation
that triumphs over demons and the doubts of
the Slanderer.
It is like the Lord’s cross, a sign of good fortune,
glorious and resplendent,
unshakable in its exalted light,
invincible in the strength on high,
standing as an irresistible champion,
unmovable forever
against the immoral ways of Satan’s tyranny.
For the discerning soul, it is a treasure of spiritual goods,
showing the defeat of death and the absolution
of sin, plus
double hopes for each, now and eternally.
It promises restoration for the righteous.
Its rules preach goodness and give life as
written by the Spirit of God.
The Psalms were songs of everything for
the pure in heart:
a testament of life, written for all people.

Prayer – “Book of Lamentations” St. Gregory of Narek 51

Readings – Ընթերցումներ
Daniel 7:2-27; 1 Corinthians 12:1-7 –  Դան. 7.2-27: Ա. Կորնթ. 12.1-7:

DAILY SPIRITUAL TASK
Send a greeting card or a letter to a
relative, friend, or fellow parishioner
who is homebound.