Orationes

A blog devoted to the collects of the Latin liturgy, classical and more recent.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

 

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Collect

Deus, qui nos in tantis periculis constitutos pro humana scis fragilitate non posse subsistere: da nobis salutem mentis et corporis; ut ea quae pro peccatis nostris patimur, te adiuvante vincamus.

"O God, who know that, amidst so many dangers, we are unable to stand firm on account of human weakness: grant us health of mind and body; that, with your help, we may overcome the things we suffer on account of our sins."

Remarks:
*This prayer displays that "negative view of the human condition" which the revisers were keen to eliminate from the Missal!
*Our condition is such that without God's help we simply cannot survive.
*Our sufferings are seen as the result of our actual sins.
*The prayer does not ask for victory over sin, but over the things which sin causes us to suffer. What things are in view? We note what we require to overcome these sufferings: health in mind and body. Presumably, then, the sufferings are both physical and mental.

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