Woe to them! –
because they have gone the way of Cain,
and have plunged themselves
into Balaam’s error
for a reward
and have been destroyed
by the controversy of Korah.

These people
at your love feasts
are dangerous-reefs
feasting with you
without reverence;
-shepherds who look after themselves
-waterless clouds,
blown along by the wind
– trees, belonging to late autumn,
fruitless
(twice dead)
being uprooted
–wild waves of the sea
foaming up their own shame
– wandering stars
for whom the gloom, that is darkness
has been kept for ever.

Grant, Lord,
that we may hold to you without parting,
worship you without wearying,
serve you without failing;
faithfully seek you,
happily find you,
and forever possess you,
the only God,blessed now and for ever.
Amen

St Anselm