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Weekday
September 10, 2022
A READING ABOUT THE ORDER AND HARMONY WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN TO THE WORLD, from a letter to the Corinthians by St Clement, pope[1].
Let us fix our gaze on the Father and Creator of the whole world, and let us hold on to his peace and blessings, his splendid and surpassing gifts. Let us contemplate him in our thoughts and with our mind’s eye reflect upon the peaceful and restrained unfolding of his plan; let us consider the care with which he provides for the whole of his creation.
By the Creator’s direction the heavens are in motion, and they are subject to him in peace. Day and night fulfill the course the Creator has established without interfering with each other. The sun, the moon and the choirs of stars revolve in harmony at his command in their appointed paths without deviation. By the will of the Creator the earth blossoms in the proper seasons and produces abundant food for us and for animals and all the living things on it without reluctance and without any violation of what he has arranged.
Yet unexplored regions of the abysses and inexpressible realms of the deep are subject to the Creator’s laws. The mass of the boundless sea, joined together by his ordinance in a single expanse, does not overflow its prescribed limits but flows as he commanded it. For God said: “Thus far shall you come, and your waves will be halted here.” The ocean, impassable for humankind, and the worlds beyond it are governed by the same edicts of the Lord.
The seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter, follow one another in harmony. The quarters from which the winds blow function in due season without the least deviation. And the ever-flowing springs, created for our health as well as our enjoyment, unfailingly offer their breasts to sustain human life. The tiniest of living creatures meet together in harmony and peace. The great Creator and Lord of the universe commanded all these things to be established in peace and harmony, in his goodness to all, and in overflowing measure to us who seek refuge in his mercies through our Lord Jesus Christ; to him be glory and majesty for ever and ever. Amen.
[1]The Letter to the Corinthians, Cap 19,2–20,12:Funk 1, 87-89.