Sunday Thoughts: Newman's Canonization Today

Here is a prayer/meditation by St. John Henry Newman, appropriate for this, his canonization day!

I've always loved it and found it comforting.  There are many translations, but I like this one because of the ending.

God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have a mission. I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.  I have a part in His great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.  He has not created me for nothing. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.

Therefore I will trust Him.     Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, He may shorten it.  He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me— still He knows what He is about.

Lord, Let me be Thy blind instrument. I ask not to see—I ask not to know—I ask simply to be used. Amen.