Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect for Purity, at the opening of the eucharistic liturgy, holds before us the fifth degree of humility found in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Imagine what our lives would be like if they were totally translucent, self-revealing, holding nothing back, living in a freedom and openness known only to those in the Garden of delight, the land of Eden. What amazing things would happen if we could empty the dark resentments, the bitter poison that destroys relationships, and break open the secrets that separate and hinder intimacy.
At one time, in the early church, it was very common for a member of the faith community to stand before his brothers and sisters acknowledging his hidden wretchedness, and today within the monastery the monk unveils himself before his spiritual father, and it is not uncommon for one to make his or her confession before an experienced priest. The honesty required to live in community comes only with a humble and hospitable heart for it is only in self-knowledge that we find healing from the demons that lurk behind the veil of hostile fear of the known. All revelation is of God, and we are called to practice this new freedom in the spirit of a loving Father.
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