Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 27 February – The Memorial of St Gregory of Narek (950-1003) – Doctor of the Church

Our Morning Offering – 27 February – The Memorial of St Gregory of Narek (950-1003) – Doctor of the Church

I Long Not so Much for the Gifts as for the Giver
By St Gregory of Narek (950-1003)

I long not so much for the gifts
as for the Giver.
I yearn not so much for the glory
as the Glorified.
I burn not so much with the desire for life
as in memory of the Giver of Life.
I sigh not so much with the rapture of splendour
as with the heartfelt fervour for its Maker.
I seek not so much for rest
as for the Face of our Comforter.
I pine not so much for the bridal feast
as for the distress of the Groom,
through whose strength I wait with certain
expectation believing with unwavering hope
that in spite of the weight of my transgressions
I shall be saved by the Lord’s mighty hand and
that I will not only receive remission of sins
but that I will see the Lord Himself
in His mercy and compassion.l long not so much for the gift but for the giver - st gregory of narek - 27 feb 2018