Extracts from the Dux Spiritualis by the Venerable Louis de Ponte SJ
Section 3 – page 167
Hence thou may proceed to 3 other ways of praising God,
both easy and devout.
The 1st is, says the Apostle, by speaking
to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, making melody in
your hearts to the Lord [cf Ephesians v, 19 and Colossians iii, 16], the practice
of which is taught by David in his psalms, Praise the Lord O my soul
[Psalms cxlv].
Let my memory, my understanding, and will praise God and
exult in the infinite memory, perfect understanding, and will which are in Him,
let my eyes and ears glorify God [page 168] for the most pure eyes and ears with
which He sees and hears me….For Thou art singular and alone in all Thy
Perfections, and worthy of infinite honour on their account.
The 2nd mode of praising God is in the name of
all creatures, as if to serve for a tongue to all those who cannot speak. For
they indeed praise God in their own manner, manifesting the beauty they have
received from their Creator: as the heavens show forth the glory of God
[Ps. Xviii, 1]
All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord,
praise and exalt Him above all for ever [Dan. iii. 57].
Let heaven and earth glorify Thee, let them never cease
from Thy praises.
My God, my Glory, I rejoice that I can be a tongue to the
heavens and the stars, the elements and all created things; let all Thy
creatures praise Thee in me and I for them; let us glorify Thee together for
all Thy infinite perfections, from which all created perfections proceed.
Hence we may ascend to Heaven, where we shall see this
manner of prayer perfectly practised by all the blessed spirits who, as S. John
tells us, rest not day or night, but give glory, and honour, and benediction
and praise to God [cf Apoc. iv, 9] saying to one another: Alleluia.
Salvation, and glory, and power to our God, Alleluia.
Prayer:
Infinite God, blessed be Thy immense charity which
mercifully permits the little creatures of earth to praise Thee like the mighty
ones of heaven!
But since praise is not seemly in the mouth of a
sinner [Ecclus. xv, 9] nor is a soul subject to sin capable of true and
solid joy: purify us by Thy grace, so that we may praise Thee with joy on earth
as Thy Saints praise Thee in Heaven.
Amen
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