Reflections on the Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Easter
O ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (1662 Book of Common Prayer) As I have pondered this prayer for years, it has drawn my mind to a similar vein of sentiment found in St. Augustine. For example, “I longed for honors, money, marriage, and you laughed at me. In these desires I underwent most bitter crosses, but in this you were too gracious to me to allow anything to grow sweet to me which was not yourself. ( . . . ) It does indeed make a difference where a man’s joy comes from” (“Confessions,” VI.6); and “Give what you command, and command what you will. ( . . . ) For he loves you too little who loves anything else with you...