BALANCING ACT: PRESUMPTION AND DESPAIR

Philippe Petit walked across a cable stretched between New York City's Twin Towers in 1974.
Photo © 2008 Jean-Louis Blondeau / Polaris

Lord, help me keep my balance:
On one side, Presumption,
On the other, Despair.

Let me never presume that I am among the spiritually elite
and that I will certainly be among the elect received into paradise.
Let me not feel self-satisfied that I have "done enough,"
"prayed enough," "helped enough," and "forgiven enough."
Keep me ever mindful that having been given much,
much will be expected of me.

But let me too, never think that I am beyond Your mercy,
that You will not forgive, whatever grievous sin I may commit.
Remind me always that so long as I humbly confess my transgressions,
make an honest act of contrition, promise not to sin further
and ask that my soul be made pure again
I am saved by the Sacrifice of the Lamb.

Let me never presume, my God.
Let me never despair.

Please give me always Your assistance like a balancing rod,
holding me upright and steadying me until I complete my journey,
and safely reach the eternal side where You are waiting,
smiling, with arms outstretched in welcome!

Amen

(c) 2011 - Donn B. Murphy

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