So knowing the fear of the Lord,
we (try to) persuade people
we are well known to God.
I hope we are well known
to your consciences also.
So we are not commending ourselves again to you,
but giving you an opportunity
to boast about us
so that you might have (something to say)
in response to those who boast
about ‘outward appearance (face)
and not ‘Inward character’ (heart).
Whether we are out of our mind,
its for God
or we are in our right mind,
its for you.
For the love of Christ controls us,
having made this judgement:
that one died for all,
therefore all have died.
and he died for all
that those who are living
might no longer live for themselves,
but for him who died for them
and was raised.
O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me.
O Love, who redeemed me,
fill up in me whatever part of your love
has fallen into neglect within me.
O Love, O God, who first loved me,
grant that with my whole heart,
and with my whole soul,
and with my whole strength,
I may love you.
Gertrude the Great