Happy Friday everybody! Today we’re showcasing a short poem by St. Augustine, and the song it inspired, for your contemplative/meditative prayer needs.
Augustine of Hippo was converted to Christianity late in life, and yet left a rich legacy for all who have come to faith in Christ since. Writing during the Patristic period of Christian History, he is counted as one of the most influential of the early Church Fathers. His works are considered invaluable resources even in our day, rediscovered in each generation as a deep spiritual resource.
His autobiographical Confessions, may in fact be one of the most read books in history, after the Bible itself. After living a worldly life in search of truth and meaning, Augustine found what he lacked in his encounter with the Spirit of Christ. Confessions offers insight into the mind of this great saint, and his experience of finding satisfaction and hope in God alone.
Below is a beautiful, short excerpt from that work, as well as the song it inspired from the amazingly talented band Gungor. Let it be a blessing to your spirit this morning. Take a few quiet, tender moments to sit and consider the words and music, and adore the presence of that Ancient Beauty that welcomes us into his presence daily! Then let express your love and gratitude to God from the deep places of your heart.
Late have I loved you,
Beauty so ancient and so new,
late have I loved you!
Lo, you were within,
but I outside, seeking there for you,
and upon the shapely things you have made
I rushed headlong,
I, misshapen.
You were with me but I was not with you.
They held me back far from you,
those things which would have no being
were they not in you.
You called, shouted, broke through my deafness;
you flared, blazed, banished my blindness;
you breathed your fragrance,
I gasped, and now I pant for you;
I tasted you, and I hunger and thirst;
you touched me, and I burned for your peace.
Respond:
- Try writing a poem of your own to express what you feel in the Lord’s presence.
- How often are you intentionally quiet and contemplative in your prayer life? What do you think that might teach you about yourself?
- Did you find this helpful? Would you appreciate seeing more content along these lines?
